What a way to end the year!

For Folk's Sake has been nominated in the Spiral Awards for 'best club or venue'! Not bad for a night that's been running only a little over a year.

Winners are decided by public vote so please take a few seconds to clickety click for me: http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/spirals2010/club.asp

Introducing... Citylifers

Since the MEN's online version of City Life went quiet - it's still being updated, but now by in-house staff - the music scribes have joined together to form Citylifers. And I've joined in, too.

Here's my first album review. To be honest, the album made me a little crazy - I couldn't decide if I was here or there - so if it sounds like a load of twaddle, then it probably is.

http://citylifers.co.uk/album-reviews/

Twaddle. What a great word!

Citylifers

Out of the ashes of the MEN's now-defunct City Life has grown 'Citylifers' - a music review site where former City Life contributors congregate.

And here's my first offering as the official folk correspondent:

http://citylifers.co.uk/2009/10/20/the-unthanks-formerly-rachel-unthank-and-the-winterset/

Temple Cloud Country Club score a fantastic 4 star review

And from none other than Mark Edwards!

We were all mightily chuffed :-)

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6883963.ece

Oh, and my Jim Moray article appears in the MEN today

and if you're in the area, be sure to check out his gig tonight in the recently refurbished Manchester venue, Band On The Wall.

Judy Dyble in Flux Magazine

...courtesy of the mighty Rich Hanscomb

Samson and Delilah launch their debut album today!

Get on down to your record shop or click a button - get hold of your copy of the self-titled debut album from Samson and Delilah which is released today!

They're also in the midst of playing dates all round the country - including For Folk's Sake! - so be sure to catch them while you can.

In other news -

Temple Cloud Country Club are due to be reviewed in the Sunday Times this weekend which is very exciting.

Monster Ceilidh Band go from strength to strength with some lovely bits of press and airplay, including some from over the pond at Folk Alley and Dirty Linen, both in America.

Twelfth Day are gearing up for recording their debut album, and have had the most gorgeous shots done courtesy of the marvellous Shirlaine Forrest. Look out for a taster in the form of a demo which will be dropping onto doormats very shortly...