15 May 2014 (released)
15 May 2014
Newcastle based four-piece Bridie Jackson & The Arbour are an eclectic group of folk-influenced musicians. Hauntingly ethereal, yet fused with dark and powerful undertones; this eccentric ensemble inject contradictions galore, with their union of bright melody and sombre lyricism.
Sitting somewhere between the lushness of Norah Jones and quirkiness of Joanna Newsom, Bridie Jackson & The Arbour create songs that intertwine melancholy with joyful rich harmonies, often skipping down a path of dream-like rapture, before discovering the journey is beset with sorrow.
After releasing their debut album in 2012 with a sold out show at The Sage Gateshead, the steady rise of this successful quartet began with them securing an Arts Council England grant, a live session on Radio 4’s Loose Ends and radio play on BBC 2, 3 and 6 Music. As winners of 2013’s ‘Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition’, the girls beat over 8,000 contenders for the title, and went on to play multiple stages at the legendary festival.
Bridie Jackson & The Arbour have won universal acclaim from both music critics and fans alike, with BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson naming the band as a favourite of 2013 and both the Guardian and Telegraph newspapers lauding them with praise.
Celebrated for both their unusual instrumentation, and intriguing harmonies – Bridie Jackson & The Arbour are frequently proclaimed to be completely unique, blending influences as diverse as gospel, baroque and flamenco, with an infusion of percussion, fiddle, cello and a lead vocal of spine-tingling beauty.
Music-News.com caught up with the girls at The Great Escape festival as they launch their new album, New Skin, to find out more. See the full uncut interview above.
