Just as Nancy Kerr (The Full English) and Sam Sweeney (Leveret, The Full English, Bellowhead) are awarded 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Folk Singer Of The Year and Musician Of The Year respectively (!), the Bristol Folk Festival team have chosen the winner of the2015’s Isambard Folk Award…Said The Maiden.

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Singing traditional and contemporary English, Irish and American folk songs, and creating their own arrangements - often in acapella three-part harmony - Said The Maiden’s magical vocal layering is a thing of beauty: powerful, captivating and transcendent.

Comprising three childhood friends - Jess Distill (vocals, flute, whistles, ukulele), Hannah Elizabeth (vocals, violin, accordion, mandolin) and Kathy Pilkinton (vocals, guitar, clarinet) - this Hertfordshire based trio formed in 2011, and began singing at local folk clubs before securing headline touring slots with names such as The Fisherman's Friends, Jim Moray, Megson, Martin Carthy, Hannah James and Sam Sweeney, Clannad, and most recently, legendary fiddler Dave Swarbrick.

Following their blissful 2013 debut EP Come Hither, their 2014 work A Curious Tale has received whirlwind reviews from the the likes of R2 Magazine, FATEA, Folk Radio and more; their live performances having been enjoyed from Edinburgh Festival to Cambridge and Stanton Calling, plus on the widely upheld Song From The Shed stage. 

Bristol Folk Festival

Bristol Folk Festival welcome Said The Maiden to St.George’s main stage as opener for thier Saturday evening concert with prestigious headliners The Full English. Doors are at 8pm.