My first visit to the now sadly closed Big Comfy Bookshop in Coventry was primarily to see a new recently discovered artist at the time in Katie Spencer. Like many music presentations at this versatile venue over the years, a trio of artists formed the bill and this occasion had the infrequent occurrence of two performers with the first name Iona. Headlining that show was Iona Fyfe, a wonderful traditional vocalist embedded as much in the Scottish landscape as the name itself. Opening the evening was Iona Lane, an English folk singer-songwriter still at university very much finding her way in the acoustic roots scene. Fast forward from that December night in 2017 and the time has arrived for Iona Lane to make a strident leap with the release of her debut album.
The north of England, and more specifically her current base of Leeds, has largely been the domain to date, but a significant eye has always been cast north of the border especially its rugged backdrop as an inspiration for folk music. To this extent the title of HALLIVAL is borrowed from the name of a Scottish mountain, and many facets wrapped in a Caledonian sheen pop up all over the album. There is a long list of accomplices joined by familiar names of Jenny Sturgeon, Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl. Also an early champion of Iona Lane was Karine Polwart. Bringing a lot of these and other names together is Andy Bell, a folk producer of much acclaim, who has steered the album to its release and smoothed the way for the talents of Iona Lane to sparkle right from the off.
Blessed by such a prestigious support network affirms the talent of this rising star to such an extent that you feel in the presence of a seasoned performer. Any detections of inexperience are largely a pre-conscious state of knowing the background. Of course, all the activity leading up to release day may be the hard yards in one sense, but the big test is now to share its riches; a task made easier by the quality of the fare on offer.
All eleven songs are originals shared between solo and co-write status. The theme of natural beauty and magnitude threads evenly through content and context. The sparse connotation from the cover mingles with a similar feel as the vibes of the songs sail into the mind of the listener. Instrumentally, the soundscape laps up the folk convention of multiple strings alongside the strains of the shruti box that firmly plants the music right at the heart of a genre governed by tradition with an open ear to contemporary innovation. Joining all the dots is the archetypal vocal style, a blend of natural talent and suspected influential schooling.
Key songs that come to the fore in the early stages of listening to the album include an evocative title track titled 'Western Tidal Swell' that sets the agenda perfectly and its follow up number 'Mary Anning', a story told many times in different media yet never one to tire especially when delivered as engagingly as here. As the album progresses, melodies and tunes remain constrained. This encourages a vigilant listen and proves the best way to get the most out of an album subject to immense depth.
Magical artistry is evident in the album's midriff when the wealth of 'Schiehallion' permeates the airwaves complete with some fine fiddle. By the time 'Humankind' closes this first episode in what may prove a lengthy and fruitful recording career, listeners are throughly baptised in the mesmerising music of Iona Lane. HALLIVAL is a folk debut with a difference. No novice nerves and a clear vindication of what has proved a patient wait. All bets are off regarding potential. That was the name of the game back in 2017. 2022 has seen Iona Lane arrive.