Rob and I have now finished recording and editing our first series of six podcasts examining the background to some of our songs and tune sets. Six episodes of the podcast, which is to be called NAMARAMUSICAST have been scheduled for release on Spotify and will cover the full range of our music from self-penned songs in traditional style, traditional songs from the British isles and France, and tunes from Asturias, Galicia and elsewhere. 

The first episode, which gives the background to our song Nellie Torrence and Jeannie Waldie will be released on 1^st March 2026. Further episodes will be released at fortnightly intervals after that, as follows:

Only For Three Months                          15^th March 2026

Compagnons de la Marjolaine                   1^st April 2026

Nancy from London                                 15^th April 2026

Tune sets                                                     1^st May 2026

Sisters & Brothers                                     15^th May 2026

We have also been thinking about what songs and tune-related subjects we might cover in Series 2.

It is pleasing to report that, as we enter the new year, Rob and I have now successfully recorded the first series of six podcasts in our NAMARAMUSICAST venture. Friends have been listening to the drafts and providing us with excellent feedback. The new podcasts will give additional detail about the origin of our songs and tunes, how we've arranged them and how audiences have reacted to them.

With a few tweaks and some further consideration of our promotion and placement strategy for them, the podcasts should be ready for broadcast in the not too distant future.

Other than podcasts, we will also be meeting soon to determine  the track list for our Autumn 2026 EP.  We have more than enough worked-up options to choose from.  So, the discussion will mostly be about getting the right balance for the release. 

Watch this space with respect to both of the above exciting ventures.

We would like to thank David Pratt for his considered and very positive review of our new EP, The Roses and the Busy Bee in online music magazine, FATEA. 

His kind words about our musicianship and song writing are very much appreciated, as is his conclusion that Na-Mara remains “one of the most prominent duos on the domestic recorded-music folk scene”.

It is heart warming and energising to receive such encouragement, especially from such an experienced reviewer as David.  Again, many thanks! 

I’m pleased to report that Na-Mara's new four-track EP, The Roses and the Busy Bee, has now been officially released. 

As our latest release, you can hear it here on the Na-Mara website.  When it is eventually superseded by a further new release, you will still be able to listen to it on all the mainstreaming services.

As is the case with all new releases, there is a fair amount of promotional activity that is required alongside the release process. Our loyal Facebook followers and Newsletter readers need to be informed, and those reviewers and folk radio show hosts we hope will evaluate and play the album need access to the four tracks plus information about us as a duo. These days this is usually done by means of an Electronic Press Kit which, I’m pleased to report has now been put together. We await responses to The Roses and the Busy Bee.