Chicago - Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Photo Credit: Rob Bridge (Redwood Photography)
Our next LCM featured artists the multi-award winning Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker are one of the most accomplished duos in the UK. Both multi-talented they skillfully move from Folk, Classical and Jazz through to Americana. We are delighted that they are set to release their brand new album 'All Seedlings' on the 23rd March through Rough Trade. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is the first single, the poignant and reflective 'Chicago' is themed on a less than successful audience turn-out at one of their gigs on their US tour. Its new 'touch in cheek' video is dedicated to all insomniacs.
If you would like to see Josienne and Ben live, they will be headlining at TwickFolk on the 28th January for the folk club's big anniversary celebrations.
Double BBC Folk Award nominees Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker infuse ageless stories of love and loss with their exquisite command of many instruments. Whether interpreting words centuries old or singing her own authentic lyrics, Josienne's jewel-like voice finds the nuance in the simplest phrase and sends it, effortlessly, straight to your heart. Ben's musical tact and flair for arrangement provide the perfect setting, allowing the song centre stage.
Josienne was born in Sussex and Ben, in Evesham. It was after studying in London, and utterly by chance, that they met in July 2009. Together they have resolutely forged their own path through traditional music. Critical recognition soon followed, along with the Isambard Folk Award, and the FATEA Award for Best Album and Female Vocalist of the Year, and the Spiral Earth Award for Best Duo, as well as coveted Radio 2 folk award nominations for Best Newcomers and Best Duo. The live performance is a thing of delight - enchanted reviewers have spoken of shimmering cathedrals of sound - and its purity will stay with you long after the last note fades.
Their first major album together 'Fire and Fortune' confirmed their place among the very best folk musicians of their generation and reached No. 1 on the UK Amazon folk chart.