AFTER their explosion onto the national folk scene during the past two years, Dorset-based folk duo “Ninebarrow” will be visiting Bow Village Hall on Friday, September 23.

After the release of their debut album in 2014, Ninebarrow (Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere) are rapidly fulfilling Shire Folk Magazine’s prediction that they will “become a major force in English folk music”, having received high praise from the likes of Mike Harding and folk legends, Seth Lakeman and Kate Rusby.

The latter described the young duo as “absolutely amazing” while they supported her at Sidmouth Folk Week in 2015.

Their first record went on to win FATEA Magazine’s “Debut Album of the Year” and was also listed the “Telegraph’s” top folk albums of 2014.

Such high plaudits certainly raised anticipation in advance of the release of their second album, “Releasing the Leaves” this March.

Recorded in the duo’s own studio and mastered by Mark Tucker (whose other credits include “Show of Hands” and “Fairport Convention”) Ninebarrow have released the album independently to high critical acclaim – receiving a raft of glowing reviews, including five stars from both Maverick Magazine and EDS Magazine (produced by the English Folk Dance and Song Society), as well as airplay on a host of national radio stations across the country. It was also listed in the “Telegraph’s” “Top Folk Album of 2016”.

It is the multi-award-winning duo’s innovative take on the folk tradition that seems to be captivating audiences across the country.

Jon and Jay combine breath-taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering songs and that are inspired and rooted in the landscape, history and folklore of the British Isles.

Not only exceptional singers and musicians, they are also equally passionate about the stories behind their songs. It is this melding of excellent musicianship and their passion for storytelling that is, in the words of Shire Folk Magazine, taking this duo “up to the top” of the UK folk scene.

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start on September 23 at Bow Village Hall and tickets, priced at £9, are available from: www.theheartofdevon.co.uk .

Alan Quick