AWARD-WINNING folk trio Lady Maisery kick off their spring tour at Ruskin Mill on Friday, March 16.

The winners of BBC Radio Two folk folk awards will be launching their packed national schedule at the popular venue in Nailsworth.

In 2016 The Guardian described Lady Maisery as “some of the most exquisite, thrilling vocal harmony work in the English folk scene”.

With their unique approach to harmony singing, intelligent and thoughtful arrangements of both traditional repertoire and original compositions, multi-instrumentalists and singers Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans harness and celebrate their united voice.

Whether unearthing a feminist twist hidden in a traditional tale, delivering a poignant anti-war ballad, or showcasing their immense multi-instrumental talents in original compositions that draw on a myriad of musical influences, Lady Maisery are skilful explorers of the power, beauty and vitality of song.

Underpinning every performance are Lady Maisery’s distinctive harmonies: sometimes lush and rich, sometimes dark and invigorating, they intertwine with assured precision.

The trio are also one of the foremost English proponents of mouth music, or “diddling” – once common in England, and still found across parts of southern and northern Europe, this form of singing without words is a perfect showcase for their sheer musicality.

Each also an accomplished instrumentalist, many songs are expertly accompanied by a rich tapestry of Rowan’s fiddle, banjo and bansitar, Hazel’s harp and concertina and Hannah’s accordion and foot percussion.

Since the release of their debut album in 2011, Weave and Spin, which was named album of the week by the Independent, Lady Maisery have been appeared live on national radio.

Their second album ‘Mayday’ (2013), a darker and more politically coloured record, cemented their growing reputation as a truly unique band on the English folk scene, with five star reviews from The Financial Times newspaper.

Over the last few years, Lady Maisery have toured across Europe, visited the USA, and performed a contemporary classical secular requiem composed especially for them by award-winning composer Emily Hall.

Watch the trio in action here:

Lady Maisery appear at Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth on Fri March 16.

For more information visit rmt.org