Devon couple nominated for best duo at Folk Awards

Devon is full of successful musical artists and the list looks set to continue with the announcement that Devon locals Hannah Martin and Phillip Henry are nominated for best duo at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

The awards, which celebrate their 15th anniversary this year, will see some of the biggest names in folk music come together under one roof to celebrate the UK’s thriving folk music scene.

Hannah and Phillip, who have lived in Woodbury for the past four years, are thrilled their hard work is to be recognised at this year’s event which is taking place on Wednesday 19th February.

Speaking of their exciting nomination, Hannah said: “It is fantastic! It is really wonderful to have recognition for all the work we have put in over the last couple of years. Saying that it is pretty nerve wracking though!”

Hannah and Phillip have both had very different journeys that have lead them to folk music. Whilst Hannah’s parents raised her with folk influences, Phillip found the genre of his own accord.

Philip said: “I got into folk music at the age of about 15 but I wasn’t raised on folk music. My mum and dad are into northern soul so I found my way to it myself. I liked artists such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.”

Despite experiencing musical success individually and amongst other groups, it’s their work as a duo which has seen them widely acknowledged by the folk scene.

2011 saw the release of their debut album Singing The Bones, which garnered national airplay from BBC Radio 2 and 3, and warm praise from the specialist music press.

Explaining why their work as a duo has been so successful, Hannah said: “I think we have very complimentary skills so it fits together very well. For instance I might have an initial idea for a song and write the lyrics but I’m really hopeless at finishing things but Phil is brilliant at coming to it and arranging it. So it really works. Our minds work in the right way and we know each other very well and there is a deeper connection which is obvious to our audiences (Hannah and Phillip are a couple).”

Once their attendance at this year’s Radio 2 Folk Awards is over (and they find out if they have won the award for best duo!!) the work does not stop there.

As well as performing in the UK as part of their spring tour, the duo will also be performing in various Devon locations.

These include performing at the Budleigh Guitar Festival in April, at the Exmouth Folk Club in May and an exciting performance at Exeter’s new Folk Club Exeter folk project in June.

Details of Hannah and Phillip’s performances can be found here: http://www.philliphenryandhannahmartin.co.uk/shows.php.

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards will be broadcast live on Radio 2 from 8pm on Wednesday 19th February, and in vision via the Red Button and online at bbc.co.uk/radio2, with video highlights to follow the next day. The audience can also follow the event and get involved via the Radio 2 website.