Swilkie, the new album from Highlands-based songwriter Iona Lane, weaves ecology, conservation, islands and folklore into poetic songs and contemplative melodies. Written during three residencies on the Isle of Eigg, Isle of Mull and Sanday in Orkney, sense of place and landscape are at the core of these songs. From basking sharks to lighthouses, lichen to vanishing islands, curlews to tree planting; the album was recorded in a boathouse on the West Coast of Scotland and the eager listener may even hear the lapping sound of the tide murmuring through the album. Iona’s connection to places by the sea is translated through these songs with evolving vocal melodies, subtle guitar and droning shruti box.
Iona is joined by a wealth of musicians on Swilkie including: Ben Nicholls on double bass; Louis Campbell on guitars/banjo; Malin Lewis on fiddle/pipes; Signy Jakobsdottir on drums/percussion; Jen Austin on piano; Alex Lyon on bass clarinet/clarinet; and Jenny Sturgeon, Josie Duncan and Michael McGovern on backing vocals.
Torus, the lead single (14/02/25), takes inspiration from the human relationship with basking sharks throughout history. The song starts in the time of folk tales, where sea monsters scare sailors and capsize boats. It’s thought that these creatures might have been misunderstood basking sharks feeding near the surface. The song moves right up into the 1960s when we culled basking sharks off our coasts, to near extinction, for the oil in their livers. In the present day basking sharks are a treasured part of our ecosystem and they are slowly making their way back to our waters.
Swilkie features a second disc of location recordings, exclusive to physical and bandcamp. This disc was recorded by Iona using a single location recording microphone and provides an insight into the creative process and the places that the music takes inspiration from. These tracks also feature fellow musicians and friends (Hannah Fisher, Jen Austin, Terra Burgoyne, Lachie Robinson and Bess Shooter) along the way!
Iona plays a Taran Guitar, which she has been playing since 2020 when she was awarded the Taran Guitars Young Players Bursary. This album was made possible by the support of Creative Scotland.
“An intriguing debut - her sweet voice recalls Emilíana Torrini, while her lyrics and musical arrangements crackle with wide-eyed curiosity.” - Jude Rogers, The Guardian (2022)
“A real talent!” - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show (2022)
"Iona feels like a kindred spirit with her gorgeous evocations of landscape and geeky scientific references." - Karine Polwart (2022)
“Bring The Tide In is a rather lovely ebb-and-flow quartet of poignancy-tinged songs that serve as a reminder of Iona Lane’s luminescent talent and is hopefully an early signpost of a new album in the not-too-distant future.” - Mike Davies, KLOF Mag (2024)
“Time and tide wash through this debut… delivered in a light, melodious voice and with engaging conviction” - The Scotsman (2022)
“An ethereal voice, poetic phrase and storytelling that sets the album apart” - BBC Countryfile Magazine (2022)
“Lyrical and gentle, whether her focus is outwards to the wonder and beauty of the natural world or more personally reflective” - Folk North West (2024)
“Iona's mesmerising, lyrical exploration of the UK's wilderness through song lifts the spirits." - WALK Magazine, Ramblers' Association (2022)
“Driven by awe and wonder, hope and joy, Iona Lane's ‘Hallival’ is a masterful debut. Subtle musical touches and contemplative warm vocals combine to make this one of the most rewarding albums of the year. It’s also a poetic gift, one to lose yourself in that will continue to reward you with each listen.” - Alex Gallacher, Folk Radio UK (2022)
“Spellbinding” - Jericho Keys, BBC Introducing (2022)
“Her home is in the Yorkshire Dales and her accent and gentle way with a song will no doubt draw very favourable comparisons with Kate Rusby”- Irish Music Magazine (2022)
“Absolutely stunning” – Lucy Shields, The Folk Forecast (2022)
“An extraordinarily strong debut” - Folk London Magazine (2022)
“Hallival is a thing of beauty…” - TradFolk (2022)
“A singer songwriter with a compelling voice and a firm grounding in the tradition – this fine debut is a very promising first step” - RnR Magazine (2022)
Iona Lane is rapidly emerging as an artist to watch” - Spiral Earth (2022)
“A new name to me – I love her voice” - Frank Hennessy, Celtic Heartbeat, BBC Wales (2022)
“It’s unusual that, so early in her career, this young singer-songwriter should already be gaining so many plaudits, funding opportunities and attracting some stellar supporters to her work. But Hallival confirms the musical promise that all this suggests” - Folk North-West Magazine (2022)
“Iona’s expressive singing and insightful writer’s voice are quickly cementing her presence as a key figure in modern folk. She is a fine handler of traditional repertoire and an immensely skilled guitarist, and the gorgeous natural-mythological commentaries she explores in her own songs link ancient and often unheard histories with the world we find ourselves in today.” - Nancy Kerr (2021)
"Iona Lane seems to me already to have a very strong identity and focus as an emergent young artist. I’m impressed by the quality of her songs and her performance, and the way she uses her guitar as a composing tool and accompanying instrument." - Karine Polwart (2020)
"Iona is a very promising artist... Her guitar playing is sympathetic, solid and tasteful; an integral part of an individual sound that will only continue to develop as she hones her craft." - Chris Amer (2020)
“Iona Lane - One of the most outstanding, gifted and polished young folk artists out there. Performs with sensitive voice dynamics and a well chosen, varied repertoire.” - Alan Bickerton, Chesham Folk Club (2019)
“Seamlessly blending between breathy highs and sobbing lows, Iona's voice is delicate with power held in reserve and used with control and finesse. Her guitar meanders sensitively under her thoughtful lyricism and her natural charm is endless evident throughout her performance.” - Lee Mackenzie, Wimborne Minster Folk Festival (2019)
“Lyrical ballads, beautifully performed!” - Chris Riddell (2019)
“Gorgeous voice!” - Wath Festival (2019)
“I think a lot of folk clubs would enjoy having them along.” - Tony Birch, FATEA (2019)
"It's wonderful to see an act like Iona Lane, who is so brilliantly capable of exploring the various corners of the folk world across one set, and reminding you of what you love about each one." - Stephen, Folkroom Records (2019)
“Iona is definitely one to watch out for, well-crafted songs, sensitive guitar work embroidered with harmonics and a voice that completes the package. As one of the audience said to me after her set, “You certainly know how to find them, lovely”!” - Keiron Jones, Hitchin Folk Club (2019)
“Crystal clear diction, engaging songs and beautiful delivery.” - Helen Meissner, Folkstock (2018)
"It's always a joy to see Iona Lane who is a real rising star, constantly looking to innovate and progress and she found a lot of new fans with beautiful songs." - Tony Birch, FATEA (2018)
"IONA LANE treats us to a short set of Joni-flecked indie folk. The five tracks were lovely, simple and acoustic but the highlight was yet another song that transported the Frenchay faithful to a different place. Her version of the traditional The Loch Tay Boat Song stopped time. Scots to its very bones and seriously beautiful. An utter treat." - Gavin McNamara (Downend Folk Club), 2018
“There may be a time when reviewers don’t mention Iona Lane’s age when reviewing her albums, but when she writes songs about leaving sixth form (‘The Leaving Song’) that might be a while yet. Nonetheless, the third EP from this young (y’see!) Lancastrian singer-songwriter impresses as much as her first two ... irrespective of her age. New EP ‘Pockets’ features a very pretty version of the traditional ‘The Loch Tay Boat Song’, but it’s the original material that impresses most. ‘Carved by Another’ has the feel of a sixties folk-pop classic and ‘Northern Town’ (which may be about the Manchester Arena bombing) has a wonderful tremulous vocal to match the emotional subject matter. It is on the (sort of) title track that Iona surpasses herself. Built around a ‘Fast Car’ type guitar figure, ‘Living Life out of Pockets’, about the lonely life of a travelling musician, may be her best song yet and the closest she’s got to the Joni Mitchell archetype. Supported on backing vocals and fiddle by her friend Abi Plowman, ‘Pockets’ is a work of depth, beauty and, yes, maturity.” - Jonathan Roscoe, Shire Folk Magazine (2017)
“The disc starts to spin and a delicately fragile yet startling clear voice, softly combining with violin and guitar, takes you straight to the heart of these simple but exquisite songs, which means you’re listening to ‘Pockets’ by Iona Lane. This EP or perhaps more accurately a mini-album, offers six songs, five original contemporary folk and one traditional. And once again, reveals more of Iona’s talent as a musician and a songwriter. The songs on ‘Pockets’ range through a variety of themes and messages - from a view of life as a board-game with the delightful ‘Weighted Dice’, through the keen observation of the transient life of the travelling musician within ‘Living Life out of Pockets’ to looking forward with uncertainty and longing, touched with anticipation in ‘The Leaving Song’, there’s also a fine rendition of ‘The Loch Tay Boat Song’. Iona Lane is a young talent with clearly a long road to travel, hopefully those travels will one day result in a full-length album.“ - Charlie Elland, FolkWords (2017)
"...This counterpoints the title track 'Living Life out of Pockets', which is a declaration of individuality based on an itinerant singer / songwriter who has made the choice and realises there may well be a price to pay. When trying to pick my track of the EP I rate this as first amongst many equals simply because of the quality of the writing, which is of the very highest standard... ...Another song that impressed me was 'Carved By Another', this time for the quality of the singing. It's pitched much higher than Iona's normal voice but at no point is a note stretched for or not quite hit. The vocalisations are quite stunning, having a real ethereal feeling, and it's a song that forces you to stop and listen. Although set in a garden this is also a song about planting metaphorical seeds and watching them develop into something new, although the sun won't always shine. Adding to the quality of this piece is the backing which is so simple it becomes almost hypnotic. A beautiful song." - Tony Birch, FATEA (2017)
“(In Solace) the voice remains at the forefront, with its intriguing timbre that makes it both ‘different’ and alluring. The music weaves itself around the vocals and as you listen, the depth of the lyrics catch you and carry you into the songs. This time around, the instrumentation is more in evidence but never enough to get in the way, the same applies to the production, which is tighter and more embracing, to give a fuller sound, however it’s never allowed to swamp the modest simplicity that makes Iona’s songs so moving.” - Tim Carroll, FolkWords (2017)
“I see only good things ahead for Iona, and I look forward to hearing more…” - Allan Wilkinson, Northern Sky Mag (2017)
"For someone who hasn't been writing and performing for that long, four-track EP Solace could be the work of a seasoned artist. That's especially true in the case of 'Amsterdam' - a remarkably mature piece of work that tracks a visit to six holocaust sites in the city. In contrast, the early-90s jangle of The Sundays shapes 'Sometimes' points in an alternative direction Iona could take with ease. Whatever she does next this is someone to keep a very close watch on." - Jonathan Roscoe, Shire Folk Magazine (2017)
"It will interesting to watch Iona's progress as she moves towards her debut album." - Gary Smith, Laurel Canyon Music (2017)
"Taking another bold step from the bedroom with her second EP finds Iona Lane quick to acknowledge her musical influences from fellow young upstarts Blair Dunlop and Larkin Poe, plus the master himself Steven Wilson. All making their mark on her brand of contemporary folk... It’s perhaps the stripped back solo performance of ‘I’ll Run Without You’ which is most significant. Shorn of a more ambitious arrangement and charged with a sure confidence to go it alone, it’s Iona backing up why it’s her name on the cover." - Mike Ainscoe, Sonic Bandwagon (2017)
"Solace is a milestone release for Iona, placing her firmly in that group of independent artists who are going to make a big impression in the years to come." - Tony Birch, FATEA (2017)
"Iona Lane makes her debut with an EP, Dry Stone Walls, six original songs with a rather lovely cover of 'Si Bheag Si Mhor', although 'Orkney' is the top track. She has a band that doesn't crowd her but can burst forth with exuberance when required. Iona is just seventeen and people are expecting a very bright future for her." - R2 (Rock 'n' Reel) Magazine (2016)
"Iona adds little touches that raise it just above the level of another bedroom singer-songwriter." - Jonathan Roscoe at Shire Folk Magazine (2016)
"It happens every time. She seduces you with sublime musical beauty. Then, slaps you in the face with a lyrical RPG! Completely addictive! The best, most honest, most human voice you could ever hear." - Kate & Paul of howdenjones (2015)
"Definitely one to watch!" - Roots & Fusion Radio (2015)
"Within seconds I was captured by the voice; distinctive, alluring, honest, and above all, original. Then comes the musical splendour, sparse yet as full as needed to allow the lyrics to express themselves... Watch out for this lady, she is destined for success!" - Tim Carroll at FolkWords (2015)
"Iona has a sweet and accurate voice, a lovely guitar sound, a range of material, and most of all an unfussy style. She has taken the time to get inside her songs, and has a single-minded determination to develop her technique, which is already unusual for someone of her age." - Bill Lloyd (2015)
"It is clear from the way Iona sings that she has a real connection with the songs, you can almost feel it in her voice... Great things to come." - FATEA Magazine (2014)
"Considering Lane is just 16, still at school, still busking and doing open mics and only been playing guitar for a year what she has laid down is pretty impressive and without a doubt she is one to watch for the future." - Folkall (2014)