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IF you want new sounds

IF Album: Harbour of Songs

Adrian McNally, IF:2012 Artist-In-Residence and the album's producerGuy ChambersJanis IanConor JO'Brien: VillagersNick HornbyHannah Moulette

Inspired by The Lone Twin Boat Project and the stories behind the wood donated to build it, a new album - Harbour of Songs - has been commissioned for IF: 2012 by The Stables, and produced by the Festival’s Artist-in-Residence Adrian McNally - the pianist, arranger and producer for contemporary folk band The Unthanks.

A diverse range of singers and songwriters have been invited to respond to the stories behind the donated wood and the result is a beautifully crafted album which brings together artists including:

Ivor Novello award-winning and Mercury nominated Villagers, Ivor Novello-nominated Nick Hemming (The Leisure Society), Australian singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko (big in her own country and now making waves here in Europe), rising stars Alasdair Roberts, Hannah Moulette and Raevennan Husbandes, folk legends Ralph McTell and Steve Tilston, internationally successful novelist/writer Nick Hornby, ‘The Bard of Barnsley’ poet Ian McMillan, American singer-songwriting legend Janis Ian, BBC Folk Award nominees Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell, Guy Chambers - probably Britain's most successful modern songwriter, best known for his work with Robbie Williams - and of course, The Unthanks.

Adrian McNally, the Festival's Artist-in-Residence:

“As curator and producer for this album, it has been a pleasure and an honour to work with these artists, and to be a part of this unique project. With some artists, I collaborated directly, others sent me their vocal and perhaps a guide piano or guitar - the rest was up to me. These songwriters have exercised great trust in allowing me to meddle with their music, for which I’m extremely grateful, and it has been lots of fun trying to find the right musical colours to tell these stories.” 

Harbour of Songs will be launched on Monday 23 July. Available to pre-order from:

  • www.propermusic.com (also for international customers)
  • www.amazon.co.uk
  • www.play.com
  • iTunes

Harbour of Songs is described by Northern Sky Music Magazine as an “Exceptional album . . . Reflecting the album's inspiration perfectly, each song is donated in precisely the same manner as the wooden items themselves, each specifically bringing to life the stories behind them . . . Beautiful stories from beautiful minds.”

"The stories are varied and engaging and beautifully realised, creating one of the most unlikely, but brilliant, concept albums ever." Properganda Magazine

"How anyone could make a cohesive sounding album out of so many different voices and artistic directions is amazing, McNally has succeeded admirably . . . it is structured well and the quality improves as you get into the album." Spiral Earth

Adrian McNally will play tracks and talk about the making of Harbour of Songs at the Festival click here

Adrian will be on stage with The Unthanks & Guests on the evening of Monday 23 July in The Stables Spiegeltent

Date & Time 09 May 2012 - 31 December 2014

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