Newcastle based four-piece Bridie Jackson & The Arbour are an eclectic group of folk-influenced musicians. Hauntingly ethereal, with dark and powerful undertones, this eccentric ensemble celebrate their many contradictions with a union of bright melody and sombre lyricism.
Sitting somewhere between the lushness of Norah Jones and quirkiness of Joanna Newsom, Bridie Jackson & The Arbour create songs that intertwine melancholy with joyful rich harmonies, often skipping down a path of dreamlike rapture, before discovering that the journey is beset with sorrow.
Celebrated for their unusual instrumentation and intriguing harmonies, the band blend influences as diverse as gospel, baroque and flamenco, with an infusion of percussion, fiddle, cello and a lead vocal of spine-tingling beauty. They’ve won universal acclaim from music critics and fans alike, with BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson naming them as a favourite of 2013 and national newspapers singing their praises. “The remarkable voice of Bridie Jackson is beautiful yet haunting”, said the Guardian of their latest release, New Skin.
After releasing their debut album, Bitter Lullabies, in 2012 with a sold out show at the Sage Gateshead, the quartet secured an Arts Council England grant, a live session on Radio 4’s Loose Ends and radio play on BBC 2, 3 and 6 Music. They beat more than 8,000 contenders to win 2013’s Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition, and went on to play multiple stages at the legendary festival.
Their Glastonbury success was swiftly followed by awards from Help Musicians UK and City Music Foundation. Further radio play, including sessions for Dermot O’ Leary and Radio 3’s In Tune programme, ensued. With a UK tour in 2014, the band are looking forward to sharing their new material with their growing army of fans.