Newcastle based four-piece Bridie Jackson and The Arbour are an eclectic group of folk-influenced musicians. Hauntingly ethereal, yet fused with dark and powerful undertones; this eccentric ensemble inject contradictions galore, with their union of bright melody and sombre lyricism.

Sitting somewhere between the lushness of Norah Jones and quirkiness of Joanna Newsom, Bridie Jackson and The Arbour create songs that intertwine melancholy with joyful rich harmonies, often skipping down a path of dream-like rapture, before discovering the journey is beset with sorrow.

Celebrated for both their unusual instrumentation, and intriguing harmonies – Bridie Jackson and The Arbour are frequently proclaimed to be completely unique, blending influences as diverse as gospel, baroque and flamenco, with an infusion of percussion, fiddle, cello and a lead vocal of spine-tingling beauty.

2013 saw the band secure radio play on BBC 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 Music, play live sessions for Dermot O’Leary, R4′s Loose Ends and R3′s In Tune, receive awards from Arts Council England, Help Musicians UK and City Music Foundation, and perform on multiple stages at the legendary Glastonbury Festival, having beaten over 8,000 contender to win the 2013 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition. Now, they plan to follow on from that success, with a UK tour confirmed, to support the release of their second album in April 2014