Celebrated Fife troubadour James Yorkston is preparing to release his new single ‘Martinmas Time’ and has filmed an inventive new video.
James Yorkston began life writing acoustic laments in the back room of an Edinburgh music shop. Encouraged to take it seriously he eventually encountered fellow Scot King Creosote, who promptly signed him to his label Fence.
Releasing DIY albums on Fence Yorkston mixed traditional material with his own songwriting. Snapped up by Domino Records, eventually his own unique voice took precedent over older material, and his interest in the folk canon waned.
However a recent tour re-ignited his interest in traditional music, and James Yorkston formed a new band to tackle some of his favourite songs. Titled ‘Folk Songs’ the singer’s new album is a rich and varied collection that sits comfortably alongside Yorkston’s own work.
Before the album is released, however, James Yorkston is set to unveil a new single. A version of the song ‘Martinmas Time’ Yorkston learned the track after becoming entranced with the work of Anne Briggs.
A cult figure in English folk music, Anne Briggs was a wild child who crossed boundaries without losing sight of her love of traditional song. Originally singing without accompaniment, her stunning voice still rings out crystal clear from her few remaining studio recordings.
The sleeves for the single have been hand designed. Limited to only 300 copies, James Yorkston decided to send the sleeves to some of his friends and associates, inviting them to design the single themselves.
Amongst those who took part are King Creosote and fellow Fence Records maverick Pictish Trail. A wonderful salute to the tradition which has inspired him, James Yorkston’s forthcoming single is an insight into the passions of this rare songwriting talent.
James Yorkston is set to release his new single ‘Martinmas Time’ on August 3rd. Watch the video below…
