A FOLK duo are touring with their bold new album, combining the old and the new.

Somerset-based The Drystones (Ford Collier and Alex Garden) have been performing together for eight years and are currently on tour with their latest album, Apparitions, with a date lined up at Abergavenny this weekend.

The album has already earned praise, with Fatea magazine writing that it “shows considerable flair and invention and, at times, a brave experimental beat”.

At the name suggests, the album focuses on the theme of apparitions, describing how the album relates to the musical traditions of the past.

Mr Collier said: “Through the lens of our new music, we view folk as a lingering phantom of forgotten ways that still haunts our modern thinking.”

Apparitions is made up almost entirely of original tunes and original interpretations of traditional tunes; although it is folk music it has been given a contemporary twist.

For example, Nonesuch is a 16th century tune collected in 1651 by John Playford, but this version is far more techno.

This is their first home-produced album, as opposed to studio-made.

Along with fiddle guitar and whistle, you will hear viola, cello, tabla, kanjira and more.

They worked with long-time collaborator Will Lang (Halsway Manor Centre for Folk Arts) as a co-producer and worked with mixing engineer Patrick Phillips (formerly of Real World Studios).

“We want to go to exciting new places, and break through to bigger audiences with something different,” added Mr Collier.

The Drystones will perform at Borough Theatre in Abergavenny on Saturday April 20. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets are £16 or £14 concessions and available at boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk or by calling 01873 850805.

South Wales Argus:

For a full list of tour dates and venues visit thedrystones.co.uk