Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley released their debut album Across The Water back in December on the back of a successful Kickstarter campaign (read our review here). The album’s reception has been incredibly positive with a response carried from pen to the radio with extensive airplay across the U.K, including on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show. The news that the young duo will be touring between February and April is sure to go down well, see dates below.
Rochdale-born Fiddle player Nicola Beazley grew up listening to her dad playing the guitar, delved into his record collection for inspiration, and began playing music at the age of 7. Somerset born Accordionist Alex Cumming came from a musical family with both of his parents singing and teaching music, and he began playing at a similar age to Nicola. They met on the renowned Folk degree in Newcastle in late 2010 and having begun working out songs and tunes together began busking in the town centre leading to a self-released e p during their studies.
Following graduation, Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley continued to make music together despite living in separate locations and were New Roots finalists (there were no winners, just finalists) in 2014 before heading out on tour with artists such as Nancy Kerr. They have also played support to other prestigious names in the folk world including Lau. Nicola headed to Sheffield to study for a PhD with singer and folklorist Fay Hield among her lecturers and began working for her organisation Soundpost. Meanwhile, Alex remained in the north east (and has recently moved to America), and formed the Teacups who got signed to the Haystack record label, who, having heard their recordings jumped at the chance to release Alex and Nicola ‘s album.
It comes hot on the heels of concerts and festival appearances in June and August at folk clubs in Bristol, Dorset and Sheffield, at the legendary Green note in London, appearances at the folk weeks in Sidmouth Devon, Broadstairs in Kent, and Midlands folk festival Gate to Southwell. Sandwiched in between all of this was a short tour of Canada in July all building up to the release of their debut album.
Across the Water is a bright, energetic and upbeat album featuring tales of drama on the high seas, jealous lovers, and sheep shearing and long lost traditional tunes. It also captures a masterclass in musicianship from two of folk’s bright new young stars evolving and progressing a tradition while at the same time staying true to its roots.
While the album boasts guest appearances by Matt Downer on double bass (Mabon, Gilmore and Roberts, Jim Moray, Henry and Martin), and percussionist Evan Carson (Willows, Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, Ange Hardy, Changing Room), as well as cellist Naomi Rowland, and their Haystack Records label boss Pete Ord on guitar, percussion and vocals, they will be touring as a duo.
Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley Tour Dates
FEBRUARY
23rd Touchstones, Rochdale – Family Ceilidh’s at 11 am and 2 pm
24th- Ashill Village Hall, Ilminster, Somerset, Concert / Ceilidh, Support- Hannah Cumming, doors 7.30 pm Tickets £8 concessions £6 (07767 237985) .
25th- Shammick Acoustic Folk Club, Combe Martin, Devon,
26th- Bude Folk Club, The Falcon Hotel, Breakwater Road, Bude, EX23 8SD, Cornwall.
MARCH
11th- Whitworth Vale and Healey Band Club, 498 Market Street, Whitworth, OL12 8QW, near Rochdale,
12th- Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London (0207 485 2206), 3-5 pm Family Ceilidh, 6-8 pm Youth Ceilidh,
22nd Portland Arms, 129 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 3BA (01223- 357268),
APRIL
1st- Royal Traditions, Royal Hotel, Main Road, Dungworth, Sheffield (0114- 285 1213),
14th- Gosforth Civic Centre, Regent Farm Road, NE3 3HD, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Across the Water is released via Haystack Records
Order via Amazon
More here: http://alexandnicolamusic.weebly.com
The post On Tour: Alex Cumming and Nicola Beazley appeared first on Folk Radio UK.