Fara - Profile
by Nick Dent-Robinson
published: 14 / 6 / 2019

intro
Nick Dent-Robinson profiles the career of Orkney Islands-formed folk group Fara, who have just released their second album, ‘Times from Times Fall’.
Fara are among the freshest sounding all-female groups to have emerged on Scotland's rich folk scene in recent years. The four - fiddlers Kistan Harvey, Jeana Leslie and Catriona Price with pianist Jennifer Austin - have been honing their sound ever since they grew up together amid the splendid surroundings of the Orkney Islands. They have been writing and recording professionally since 2014 and their debut album appeared in 2016 to considerable acclaim. They have now released a follow-up long player ‘Times from Times Fall’ which celebrates their homeland with a selection of self-penned songs partly drawn from the words of Orcadian poets. It is an impressive record with the rich harmonies, vibrant arrangements, energetic fiddles, powerful piano and stunning vocals that the music press so enjoyed in 2016 on ‘Cross the Line’, Fara's last album. In making the new record, Fara enjoyed the team-building experience of working together in a single room. Some of the music had its genesis in America when the band were touring there prior to recording ‘Times from Times Fall’ in a small studio just outside Edinburgh. The four musicians enjoyed working with Scottish folk guitarist Anna Massie as their producer with studio owner Stuart Hamilton acting as engineer. The record has various themes ranging from Orkney's fascinating emigration history to scientist James Clerk Maxwell's discoveries ‘) and Catriona's German mother's use of the word “nein”! Fara are now on a UK tour...prepare to be charmed!
Band Links:-
http://www.faramusic.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/FaraOrkney/
https://twitter.com/FaraOrkney
Picture Gallery:-


most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Doris Brendel - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Pulp - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart