(Young) folk - Lewes Arms

Laura Hewison, winner of New Roots 2006, takes centre stage this week at the Lewes Arms. She may be of the young variety but it hasn’t stopped her putting a smile on the faces of folk purists. And why should it? Her blend of dark cello and red hair makes life more colourful. At the first ‘Burnham on Sea’ festival in Somerset she more than held her own, ‘An audience of eighteen-year-old dopers to seventy year old folk traditionalists gave her one of the best receptions of the festival.’ It’s difficult to say which party would have been the stoniest, but for Laura, it’s all a walk in the park. Folk style.

But she isn’t all solo. She has sung and played cello in a number of quirky bands. Two of these beautiful-looking groups (‘Bmused’ and ‘The Art of Kissing’) were hand picked to play at the Sound 05 Festival at The Sage, Gateshead. She has also appeared in the ‘Rhythms of the World’ festival where one of her tracks was included on the festival compilation cd. The folk gem has recently been set amongst some sparkling criticism. New Roots 2006 judges described her as ‘Energetic, totally involved in the music and fearlessly adventurous.’ With all her triumphs in the professional circuit it’s surprising to learn that Laura is still studying at Newcastle University. I’m a little envious. The joys of being a Folk and Traditional Music student must be endless. So much to do in so little time. EM