Mishaped Pearls, May Gibbs

At the forefront of a very exciting new wave of UK folk, is six piece Mishaped Pearls and their adventurous song combination of the ancient and the new finds an echo in their musical make up; dulcimer, bodhran, violin and mandolin mix with acoustic guitar, electric bass and drums, all led by the classically trained mezzo-soprano voice of Manuella Schutte.

Their music's roots in tradition expands into progressive folk and rock, eastern modal music and shows elements of contemporary classical influence.

May Gibbs is a pseudonym for the wonderfully talented singer and songwriter with a soon to be very successful British band, you’ll find them on the soundtrack to this year’s biggest, and most controversial, film so far...

She’s a writer of beautiful piano based songs, a strikingly original songwriter possessed of a stunning voice of huge range and emotion. As much inspired by the diet of classic, folk, soul and jazz music she was raised on as a taste for hedonism and a love of dance music, lyrically she takes a wide swipe at social issues through the medium of everyday detail.

You'll hear echoes of Kate Bush, Bjork, and Martha Wainwright in the background of her songs, but above all else you'll hear the startling sound of a truly exciting new voice in contemporary British music.