Woodland’s long awaited new album, Seasons in Elfland: Shadows will be released on this Midsummer. The album explores the dark side of the seasonal wheel and includes 13 new tracks by Woodland featuring guest appearances by German pagan folk band, Faun, ethereal-gothic singer Priscilla Hernandez, Australian songstress Louisa John-Krol, Spanish pianist Hector Corcin, ghost cellist Adam Hurst and more. The album features original cover artwork by UK faerie artist and Woodland collaborator Brian Froud.
The release coincides with Woodland’s appearances in the UK, firstly at the 3 Wishes Faery Fest (June 18-21st) then London’s first Urban Faery Ball on June 25th.

Regulars on the US faerie festival circuit, The Gypsy Nomads play a toe tapping blend of gypsy punk folk tinged with cabaret, tribal beats and good old-fashioned bawdy storytelling. The duo consists of French born Brit Samantha Stephenson and veteran punk Scott Helland, aka Frenchy and the Punk. Since 2005 they have toured extensively, and 2010 is no exception with a countrywide US tour which sees them play Faerieworlds, World of Faeries festival and Faeriecon (amongst many others!). Their new album Happy Madness is out July 13th and is their 4th album to date. As you’d expect, it is an upbeat collection of songs which showcase Samantha’s wonderful voice and Scott’s excellent guitar work. They’re ridiculously catchy, even after just one listen I was humming them all day long. Dark Carnivale and Vaudeville Voodoo are for me the real stand outs (as in, the ones I have been humming most!), but the whole thing is exceedingly well played and produced.
We have a signed copy of Happy Madness to give away to one lucky reader. To enter, leave a comment. Just for fun, please share your favourite Gypsy Nomads song.
Please ensure you use a valid email address, and one entry per person thank you! All entries must be received by July 1st.
Good luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the Winner is… Leah! Congratulations!
And thank you to everyone else who entered!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those enchanting ladies, the Mediaeval Baebes have a repertoire which includes a number of faerie-inspired songs. They have been working on a new stage show called Temptation which brings their music to a whole new level, with gorgeous costumes, choreography, sets and lighting. This theatrical spectacular promises ‘fairytale whimsy, otherworldly enchantment, and supernatural allure’. You can show your support for this exciting project by voting in Barclay’s ‘Take One Small Step‘ competition. You can also buy a special Temptation Show live album which includes an exclusive 20 page A4 glossy programme signed by the band. Written by the band, the programme will contain photographs from the show, the history, background and inspiration for the show.

Prikosnovenie’s sixth instalment of their Fairy World music compilations features 16 tracks by artists from their Mandalia project. The music and accompanying book are themed around the 5 elements – earth, air, fire, water and ether. It is more ambient and relaxing than the previous CDs, but still has that gorgeous ethereal feel you come to expect from Prikosnovenie. The CD is a limited edition of 500, and is available to order now.

German ‘Pagan Folk’ group Faun have released a new acoustic album called Buch der Balladen. The CD contains 11 songs inspired by tales of trolls and elves, dragons and nymphs, including a version of La Belle Dame Sans Merci. It comes in a sumptuous digipak that has been designed to look like an old book. There are 44 pages of artwork and the lyrics in both German and English, and a wonderful John Bauer illustration on the cover.

Robin Crutchfield’s newest album The Hidden Folk is dreamlike and otherworldly – music so underground it can only come from the Hollow Hills. Created in a ‘miner’ key with harp and drone, the 19 tracks have wonderfully evocative song titles like The Hollow Oak My Humble Home, Pearl Sorting Pixies and Trolling The Tin Mines. Please do not think this is twee ‘New Age’ music however! Although every track is infused with whimsy, listening to The Hidden Folk sends shivers up your spine – in the best possible way! It is an album for twilight times and witching hours. Absolutely enticing, enchanting and entrancing…

Prikosnovenie present Berceuses des Fées, a new CD compilation featuring some of their best artists. The 14 tracks are dreamy acoustic lullabies inspired by the legends of each artist’s country, which include (Moldavia, Russia, Denmark, Italy and Greece. The CD is accompanied by a 36 page story book illustrated with the beautiful artwork of Sabine Adélaïde

French label Prikosnovenie have just released Fairy World V, the latest in their heavenly samplers of ethereal world music. The CD comes gorgeously packaged with an 8 page booklet, featuring illustrations by Sabine Adélaide based on the 4 elements. There are 14 tracks on the CD from Prikosnovenian acts including Caprice, Irfan, Stellamara, Maple Bee and more. There is also a limited edition collector’s pack available which comes with an exclusive DVD of Prikosnovenie’s La Nuit des Fees 2008 festival.

Australian artist Kirstin Mills presents Fairy Inspirations, an original collection of meditation CDs inspired by beautiful fantasy art by well-known fantasy artists. Composer Ashley Morse has created a 60 minute musical track for each painting, which is designed to seamlessly loop to promote a restful, relaxing atmosphere. The first in the series are Titania’s Flight (artwork by Judy Mastrangelo) and Above the Canopy (one of Kirsten’s own paintings). Each CD comes with a booklet featuring the inspirational artwork and containing an artist biography and special message from the artist.

Faerie World music label Prikosnovénie has recently released Messages des Fées, the second installment of their Faerie inspired La Nuit des Fées compilations. The CD features 13 previously unreleased tracks from some of their most popular artists, including Caprice, Ashram, Daemonia Nymphe, Rajna and Poussieres d’etoiles, on the theme of Faeries, Elves, Nymphs and Magi, composed especially for the collection. The CD comes beautifully packaged with a 72 page illustrated book. The book contains 32 tales in which each fairy character invites the reader to meditate upon an aspect of life, nature, and love.