Rising young folk stars Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker have triumphed in the final of a nationwide music competition staged by Bristol’s revived Folk Festival.The much heralded London-based duo who have a distinct musical empathy, fusing Josienne’s captivating vocal and songwriting skills and Ben’s stand-out guitar playing, beat off stiff competition from four other emerging acts on Friday to scoop the Isambard Folk Award at Bristol’s Colston Hall. They won with a performance of the original title song from Josienne’s debut album One Light is Gone. See them performing it here at London’s Union Chapel 

Working her way up through the ranks of the London folk scene, Josienne, who grew up in Worthing, West Sussex, is fast becoming one of the leading lights in the folk revival movement. On releasing her2010 debut album, One Light Is Gone, reviewers praised her vocal and songwriting talents, some comparing her to June Tabor and Sandy Denny. She has performed alongside many great folk musicians including Martin Simpson, Ric Sanders of Fairport Convention, Kami Thompson and Emily Portman.

Josienne's songwriting and performing cohort, Ben Walker, hails from Evesham, Worcestershire. One of the most accomplished young guitarists on the London folk scene he plays both steel and nylon string acoustic guitar, and mandolin. Influenced by the likes of Martin Simpson, Bert Jansch, Pierre Bensusan and Richard Thompson, Ben's playing and arrangements add a rich additional dimension to Josienne's skillfully sculpted sound. 

The duo said they were surprised and delighted to win the coveted prize which gives them the chance of a high profile platform on the main stage at the 2nd Bristol Folk Festival over the May bank holiday, as well as Easter Saturday’s Somerfest in Somerset. - a one-day folk music and arts festival to be held at the stunning Halsway Manor on the edge of Somerset’s Quantock Hills. Says Josienne: “We’re so pleased to win after being up against such strong competition from the four other finalists. It’s a huge compliment to be given this recognition and wonderful to have the chance to play the main stage at the Colston Hall during Bristol Folk Festival – something that would otherwise probably have taken us years to achieve.”

The Isambard Nu-Folk Award (a nod to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous British engineer who designed the city’s Clifton Suspension Bridge) was open to any UK-based folk/roots performers and attracted a diverse range of almost 100 entries. Entrants had to submit footage of themselves performing one song or tune.

The judging panel saw 15 minute sets performed by the short-listed acts. The other finalists were Cardiff’s Evening Chorus, London’s Mishaped Pearls, Brighton’s Common Tongues and Bristol/Exeter duo Solarference (Sarah Owen and Nick Janaway).

Bristol Festival co-organiser Jan Ayers was one of the judges along with former WOMAD Artistic Director Thomas Brooman, Jon Earl of Songs from the Shed and Alex Gallacher from online music site Folk Radio UK. She says: “All the finalists’ sets were of a very high standard and all would have been worthy winners but the judges were unanimous in their decision to give the award to Josienne and Ben. 

Following on from 2010's debut One Light Is Gone, the duo have self-released a follow-up of traditional folk songs, The Seas Are Deep which includes such folk classics as Silver Dagger and Reynardine and an outstanding guitar solo from Ben on the title track.

The duo headed back to Ben’s native Worcestershire last week to appear on Tammy Gooding afternoon’s show on BBC Hereford & Worcester.
As well as one of the finest line-ups of any UK festival this year (headliners Show of Hands, Cara Dillon and Afro Celt Sound System) , Bristol’s second Folk Festival will also feature Morris dancers, mummers and maypoles, ceilidhs and “posh loos”! 

Last year’s Isambard Folk Award winners, Cardiff’s “surf-folk” band Under the Driftwood Tree, (left) will also be returning to perform at the festival.

Day tickets are now available price £30 (Saturday), £35 (Sunday) and £40 (Monday) with a £2 concession for 5-15s, students, pensioners, disabled and unwaged. Weekend tickets are £80 (concessions £70) whilst family tickets are £250 (2 adults and two children aged 5-15).Under 5s go free. Tickets from Gigantic HERE