Dutch multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Vera van Heeringen makes a rare visit to Scotland with her trio later this month.
Van Heeringen, who has managed the coals to Newcastle feat of impressing Appalachian musicians including Tim O'Brien and Dirk Powell with her bluegrass picking, plans to introduce Scottish audiences to new material she will be recording for her second album in March.
Her debut CD, Standing Tall, released in 2012, attracted much radio attention and good reviews for its blend of Appalachian styles and contemporary songwriting. She plays Kilbarchan Old Library on February 25; House 42, Edinburgh on February 26; and the Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy on February 27.
l veravanheeringen.com
Overnight progression
IMMINENT visitor to Scotland Anais Mitchell makes a startling overnight progression when she appears at the Royal Albert Hall on consecutive nights this week.
When the American singer-guitarist was booked to play the venue several months ago, it was for an intimate gig in the 190-capacity Elgar Room tonight.
Following her two nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, however, she will now follow that with an appearance in the 5000-seat main auditorium as part of the awards ceremony on Wednesday night.
Mitchell, who returns to Glasgow to play at St Andrew's in the Square on February 28 after playing the Pleasance, Edinburgh, the previous night, is nominated for best album for her record with Jefferson Hamer, Child Ballads, and their version of Willie of Winsbury is in the running for Best Traditional Track.
l anaismitchell.com
Vipers return after US tour
CELTIC Connections 2013 hits Petunia & the Vipers return to Scotland this month after a US tour that saw the Vancouver-based band rocking so hard that Phil Alvin of roots rockers The Blasters was moved to jump onstage and join in their LA show.
The band plays Birnam Arts Centre on February 25; Brookfield Village Hall on March 1; and Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine on March 2.
l petuniaandthevipers.com
Americana in the cities
EDINBURGH band Blueflint is a five-piece combo built around the close harmonies of Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson, who play banjos, with Danny Hart on fiddle, Hugh Kelly on double bass and drummer Ali Murray.
With that line-up, a bluegrass sensibility to the songwriting of the two women is unsurprising, as albums High Bright Morning and Maundy Tree have shown. They bring their Americana to Glasgow's Star Folk Club at the Admiral Bar on March 4, from 8pm, and play Edinburgh's Voodoo Rooms five days later as part of a night for Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre.
l starfolkclub.com
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