THREE piece, all-woman folk band Velvet and Stone, whose members hail from Hatherleigh, Exeter and Silverton, released their Storm EP independently last month, marking a triumphant moment for the band members.

The release strengthens the band’s growing reputation, built from regular gigging, appearances at Sidmouth Folk Week and Somersault Festival, increasing radio play on BBC Introducing in Devon and Amazing Radio, and impressive YouTube hits.

Joining Velvet and Stone (Lara, Kat and Holly) for the recording sessions at a chapel in Stroud were renowned musicians Ben Nicholls (bass for Seth Lakeman and Patsy Reid) and Andrew Tween (drums for Seth Lakeman and Show of Hands). Producer Jack Henderson (Over The Rhine, Cowboy Junkies) also played guitar and keyboards.

All tracks on the record are group compositions. The opener is the sublime Fishermen’s Blues, which focuses on a girl growing up in a fishing town.

‘It’s a folk song from a female perspective and is about the cycle of life,’ said Lara.

Forget About The Rain concerns heartbreak, while Patchwork is an equally poignant take on love, but with references to Devon.

The EP closes with the majestic title track: ‘I wrote The Storm on a beach in Cornwall,’ said Lara.

‘It’s about the sense of feeling alive when there’s a storm coming. Soon after that we went up to Holly’s house and her mum was going storm-chasing, so that added to it, although it’s metaphorical, not just about a physical storm.

‘We’d love The Storm to be a success and then to go on and write an album,’ added Lara. ‘We’ve got a lot more music to play.’

Velvet and Stone combine soulful, blues vocals with guitar, violin and roots songwriting.

They provide an original take on a traditional genre, blending personal tales, local stories, and landscapes to create a serene, acoustic and original sound. 

The band members all have their roots in Devon and played live for the first time in 2014.

They’ve rapidly made a name for themselves, featuring on BBC Introducing, and playing at festivals.

In July 2014 they won international singer-songwriter competition The Song.

Band member Holly Jo Gilbert-West from Hatherleigh has also just been featured in Acoustic Magazine.

For more details on the band go to www.velvetstone music. com or go to the Facebook page.

Velvet and Stone launch The Storm with the following gigs: Saturday, January 30 at Taunton Creative Innovation Centre; Saturday February 6 at Hope Hall, Exeter and Friday, May 6 at Lusty Glaze, Newquay.