Batches of the Helm Winds EP in a CD format have gone out to various outlets across the country – and I’ve started to collect some feedback. It’s not yet ‘officially released’, that’s on the 12th January – but I wanted to give the various folk/acoustic shows across the country a sneaky peek. and try to stimulate interest before the offical launch. That’s right, I’m a one-woman marketing machine.
Don’t forget you can join the Online Bandcamp Listening Party here on Sunday, the 11th. https://michellelaverick.bandcamp.com/merch/the-helm-winds-ep-2025-listening-party
Here’s some of the feedback thus far:
Thank you so much for sending me your beautiful music. I was in tears at “Birds That Do Fly”. You are an exceptional talent.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, RTE1 Ireland, Folk On One
“This is brilliant. These songs draw you in unsuspectingly. Such an incredible songs…”
Dean Jackson, BBC
“steeped in the rich loam of English traditional folk with sparse arrangements and moody tones”
“As folk music goes, this, like the title, is of gale force proportions.”
Mike Davis – For the full (pre)review, click here
“Just played tracks 1 and 4 from your EP. I am blown away by ‘The snow it melts the soonest’.
WOW. It’s a truly great EP!”
Daniel P James, BF FM, The Folk Show, Wales
“One of those artist-defining works, beautifully crafted and produced. We live in a world of sound bites, screenshots, and video shorts, so it’s always a welcome relief to me when an artist takes a little more time to deliver their message through their music. The Helm Winds represents a further step up for Michelle’s music – it really is an excellent piece of work – give yourself the time to absorb this excellent piece of work. THE song ‘High Force’ – increasingly is my stand-out track from the EP.”
John Reed, Compendium Folk Show
“Some truly excellent guitar work, apart from anything else. I recommend it highly, its got a lot of lovely songs on it.”
Steve Clarke, Strange Brew, TD1 Radio.
The previous EP “Selkie Child” released in late 2024/2025 is still gathering plaudits – not least from Mike Brocken of Minervaradio, who selected the title track as “single of the year” alongside others in his album of the year review of 2025 – you can listen again to Mike’s show over here – https://www.minervaradio.uk/
10. Michael McGovern – ‘Thin White Road’ from the album of the same name<
9. Liz Overs – ‘Cruel Sister’ from the Nightjar album
8. Suzy Thompson – ‘Uncle Dudley’ from Suzy Sings Siebel V1
7. Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pymm – ‘Queen of May’ from Songs for the Trees
6. Jenn Butterworth – ‘Fair Maids of February’ from Jenn’s Her By Design album
5. Gwilym Bowen-Rhys – ‘Coed Glyn Cynon’ from Aden
EP of the year: Colin Manson singing ‘These Words’ from his Wayfinding EP
4. Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver – ‘Hawk & Crow’ from the Hinterland album
Single of the year: Michelle Laverick – ‘Selkie Child’ (from her EP of the same name)
3. Sam Kelly – ‘Dark-Eyed Sailor’ from Dreamers Dawn
2. Katie Spencer – ‘It Was Then That I Knew Love’ from What Love Is
1. Album of the Year: Gigspanner Big Band – ‘Sovay’ from the excellent Turnstone album