Burd Ellen plus special guest Magpahi

Burd Ellen is a project featuring Debbie Armour (Alasdair Roberts, Green Ribbons) and Gayle Brogan (Pefkin, Electroscope). The group uses traditional song to explore and evoke dark landscapes and deep stories. Innovative instrumentation, drone and sound-wash support detailed vocal work to create a unique sonic atmosphere.

They self-released their debut album Silver Came in 2019. Their second album, Says The Never Beyond, is a collection of carols and wintersong that occupy the liminal space between sacred and secular, connecting to the deep seasonal traditions of Britain and Ireland. The record was critically well received, finding its spot in the top 10 of 2020 for many publications including The Guardian and Folk Radio UK.

A Tarot Of The Green Wood is their third studio album, released Oct 2022. Debbie Armour says “I’m a long time collector and lover of tarot, and I’ve recently become drawn to the idea of finding parallels between interpretation of traditional song and the art of divination. Gayle and I have brought together a new collection of songs that reflect the ideas, archetypes and imagery of the Major Arcana.” Developed on residency at Sage Gateshead, the album also features guest appearances from Irish piper Ian Lynch (Fire Draw Near, Lankum) and Newcastle-based composer Mark Wardlaw (Kenosist, The Old Police House)

Burd Ellen have appeared at Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Fanø Free Folk Festival, Cafe Oto, The Glad Cafe and many other stages in the UK and Europe. They are carving out a sonically adventurous niche, but one that is informed by a deep love and respect for traditional song.

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"The most innovative duo in folk" - Folk Radio UK

"Magnificent" - 8/10, Uncut Magazine

"One of the finest folk explorers" - The Wire Magazine

"Wonderful!” - Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music

“Dripping with strangeness and unease” - 5*, The Guardian (Top 10 Folk Albums 2020)

Burd Ellen are touring in March 2023

3 - Nottingham, JT Soar

4 - Tregaron, Tregaron Memorial Hall

5 - Todmorden, Centre for Folklore, Myth and Magic

6 - Glasgow, The Glad Cafe

7 - Sheffield, Bishops House

8 - Leeds, Wharf Chambers

9 - London, Aces and Eights

10 - Brighton & Hove, Cellar Bar

11 - Cambridge, Thrive

Useful links:

burdellen.com

burdellen.bandcamp.com

Twitter: @burdellen_

Instagram: @burdellenmusic

Facebook: /burdellen

YouTube Links:

The Hermit LIVE: Burd Ellen 'The Hermit' | Live from Sage Gateshead

Burd Ellen Live Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Btr5efiOJlkop5U5Qpb6u888LZVD65E

Latest Folk Radio UK review: https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2022/10/burd-ellen-a-tarot-of-the-green-wood/

NEW SUPPORT ANNOUNCED! One week today we are in beautiful TODMORDEN to play a matinee show at the Centre for Folklore, Myth and Magic. Delighted to announce we’ll be joined by Magpahi

Magpahi is the enigmatic and haunting music of musician, composer, visual artist and curator Alison Cooper. In this connective exploration of sound she works to develop new understandings between narratives of landscape, material culture, human interaction and sound. Influenced by the intriguing nature of archive and museum collections, Alison’s work bridges historic and contemporary narratives which can never truly be replicated, only re-visioned. The collection of deeply personal accounts & anecdotes, studying of archives, folklore, material culture and landscape are central to achieving this.