About Emily Portman...

Hailing from Glastonbury, Emily Portman is a singer, writer and English concertina player with a passion for traditional narratives.

Best known for her interpretations of English folk ballads, Emily is one of the brightest young stars on the British folk scene, having worked with Waterson:Carthy and Shirley Collins and appearing on BBC Radio 2, Late Junction on Radio 3, and on the fRoots magazine October playlist.

Tonight she will be performing her original compositions. These visceral visions of a darker, more brutal Albion, have more in common with PJ Harvey than they do with many on the folk circuit, and are shot through with hints of Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits and Nick Cave.

Elemental and primal, these are tales that hearken back to a pre-industrial Britain awash with blood, sea-water, dying breaths and women’s tears.

"From the first moment I heard Emily sing, I knew that she was special. She is beautiful and charming, and with her love of the tradition and her well-chosen songs, she graces the English folk scene." - Shirley Collins

"Her songs are rooted in the English tradition, but with a visceral and mysterious edge. Her take on the old ballads is all too contemporary" - Wat Tyler

Check Emily Portman's myspace here.

Support Bands

Bridie Jackson

"Beautifully sparse and riotous, raucous new folk" - Narc

www.myspace.com/bridiejackson

The Horse Loom

"Undoubtedly special, and unbelievably captivating" - Bearbones

www.myspace.com/horseloom

Film

An added extra (for those arriving early) will be a showing of Lomax the Songhunter, a passionate musical road movie exploring the life and music of the legendary Alan Lomax.

This will be a gig that you’ll talk about for years to come...don't miss it.

Price: £5

For more Info, go on the Urban and Eastern Website.