Fernhill are guests as folk club returns (From South Wales Guardian)

Fernhill are guests as folk club returns

12:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in What's On

WELSH supergroup Fernhill will be the first guests at Pontardawe’s Ivy Bush Hotel when the Valley Folk Club returns after the summer break on Friday at 8pm (£6 entry).

Named after a poem by Dylan Thomas, Fernhill have played their new, lyrical music all over the world and are regarded internationally as one of Wales’ finest folk groups.

Central to their sound is the voice of Julie Murphy, described by Time Out as “a must hear, must see singer”.

Her fans include music legends like Robert Plant and Danny Thompson, both of whom have recorded with her.

In Fernhill, she is surrounded by wonderful musicians; Ceri Rhys Matthews whose percussive and open guitar playing underpins their music, is also a fine piper, flute player and award winning producer.

Tomos Williams is a young trumpet player from Aberystwyth whose subtle and inventive improvisations have contributed hugely to Fernhill’s sound. His main musical influences are bebop and hip hop.

Christine Cooper is an exciting young folk fiddler from Tenby whose fresh and soulful playing has brought a new energy to the group.

Their most recent album Canu Rhydd has been featured by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, a long-time fan of their music, and by Verity Sharp on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction.