Dynamic-experimental-folk duo Alasdair Roberts & Fredrik Rasten present a new collection of traditional folk songs of Scottish origin - Seven Weathers, out January 29. Today, we share the first advance single, an epic take on the tragedy of "Lady Maisry", with an accompanying music video.

Alasdair Roberts has been making music for some three decades now - his explorations of Scottish (and other) traditions have informed thirteen albums, some of original material, some of traditional songs. Fredrik Rasten is an Oslo/Berlin-based improviser and guitarist, experimenting with just intonation and similar sound phenomena. They first collaborated back in 2021 as part of The Old Fabled River, and have continued picking, singing, and grinning together since.

 

Alasdair and Fredrik complement each other's playing and exploratory natures perfectly - expanding on each piece both literally (some tracks reaching the fifteen-minute mark) and conceptually, employing equal amounts preservation and invention. This take on "Lady Maisry" (Child 65) features a melody written by Fredrik - two voices blending with meticulously placed acoustic and electric instrumentation, the result sounding less like a song and more like a magic spell unfolding over dozens of verses.

 

Seven Weathers is a unique bridge between the traditional and the modern - ancient ballads coupled with contemporary experimentation. Listen to "Lady Maisry" now, and hear the entire album on LP, CD, & digital formats on January 29, 2027. The duo will also be touring through the UK and Ireland following the album's release - ticket info for those shows can be found HERE.

 

Alasdair Roberts & Fredrik Rasten 2027 Tour Dates

Jan. 26 @ Brown's of Leith - Edinburgh, UK

Jan. 27 @ The Hug and Pint - Glasgow, UK

Jan. 28 @ Bishop's House - Sheffield, UK

Jan. 29 @ The Handle Bar - Oxford, UK

Jan. 30 @ Bluestone Brewing Company - Newport, UK

Jan. 31 @ Prince Albert - Stroud, UK

Feb. 16/17 @ Cafe OTO - London, UK

Feb. 18 @ Y Fic - Bethesda, UK

Feb. 19 @ The Cobblestone - Dublin, IE

Feb. 20 @ Yeats Building - Sligo, IE

Feb. 21 @ Wexford Arts Centre - Wexford, IE