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A struggling band until just three years ago, Elbow surprised even themselves when they waltzed off with the Mercury Music Prize. Jeff Hemmings hears more

Unbelievable to think this band have been going for over 20 years, more than half of those spent struggling to make much of an impression upon the national psyche. But that all dramatically changed in the 21st century, culminating with their Mercury Music Prize winning album The Seldom Seen Kid in 2008, which has gone on to sell over one million copies. They have just released their fifth album Build A Rocket Boys!, another evocative and innovative work that should see them cement their standing as one of the giants of the UK music scene.
The band has remained a steady unit since the beginning, with Mark Potter and his brother Craig teaming up with frontman Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp and Pete Turner. Read the rest of this article »

Jeff Hemmings is grateful for The Unthanks

“I think people are into things that feel a bit more handcrafted just now,” says Rachel, lead singer of The Unthanks.

Part of a growing revival in English folk music, The Unthanks (sisters Rachel and Becky) grew up near the village Unthank, near Newcastle.
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Jeff Hemmings highlights the joys of Iron & Wine

Samuel Beam, aka Iron & Wine, has released four albums so far, the latest being Kiss Each Other Clean, released on 4AD.
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Jeff Hemmings chats with KT Tunstall

Since Kate Victoria Tunstall broke into the national consciousness in 2004 with her solo debut, she has picked up a BRIT, a Grammy Award nomination and an Ivor Novello Award (for ‘Suddenly I See’).
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