Congratulations to Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi. Their album They’re Calling Me Home (Nonesuch) was nominated for two GRAMMY Awards today: Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Song for “Avalon” (Giddens’ first nomination in this category). Giddens is now an 8-time nominee and won a GRAMMY Award in 2010 for Best Traditional Folk Album for Genuine Negro Jig.

Rhiannon Giddens will perform select US dates beginning November 5, in support of They’re Calling Me Home, released in April and deemed “her finest work to date” (No Depression). It has been another remarkable year for the accomplished musician, composer, author, podcast host and beyond.

The long-awaited 23rd Rhythm & Roots Music, Dance and Food Festival will resume Sept. 3-5 at Ninigret Park with much-loved headliners, a jam band extravaganza, festival fan favorites and new voices that reflect the always-changing nature of roots music.

Rhiannon Giddens’ new album They’re Calling Me Home, recorded with Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, will be released April 9 on Nonesuch Records. Giddens and Turrisi, who both live in Ireland when they aren’t on tour, have been there since March 2020 due to the pandemic. The two expats found themselves drawn to the music of their native and adoptive countries of America, Italy, and Ireland during lockdown.

Amanda Palmer and Rhiannon Giddens have joined forces for a cover of Portishead's much adored song, “It's A Fire.” Palmer and Giddens recorded from several continents during lockdown in the midst of one of the most turbulent times the world has ever seen. “It’s A Fire” is available now on Bandcamp.