THIS Summer, award winning band The Unthanks are set to release their most challenging but best album to date so far titled The Songs and Poems Of Molly Drake. Lead singer Becky Unthank spoke to LAUREN PAGE about the collaboration, challenges and carrying on such a prominent legacy in The Unthanks.

Molly Drake was an English poet and musician, best known as the mother of the musician, Nick Drake and actress Gabrielle Drake. Molly Drake never released any official publications of her poetry or compositions in her lifetime, but she had a profound impact on the musical style of her son.

As Nick Drake's music gained a larger following after his death, Molly Drake's recordings were released, which uncover the musical similarities between her and her son. Sisters Becky and Rachel Unthank have teamed up with Nick's music and Gabrielle Drake to incorporate their mothers work into their own music.

The Unthanks are known for their folk sound known for their eclectic approach in combining traditional English folk, particularly Northumbrian folk music, with other musical genres. Of their subsequent albums, seven have received four or five-starred reviews in the British national press. The group have gone on to achieve broad success across the world and their latest project has taken the band in a different direction.

"Me and Rachel grew up listening to folk music that's where we come from and we always felt like folk singers. We have such a huge love for music and we grew up going to festivals every summer with our family. We were part of a clog dance team so we would get to festivals for free. At family parties we would always get up and sing, we were surrounded by music 24/7 - but there was always that strange teenagers phase of music when we would go from folk to Eminem."

The sisters band will head to Kendal Brewery Arts Centre on Friday April 21 and The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness on Sunday May 7.

"We've been to Cumbria a few times before. I recall playing at the Brewery Arts Centre a few times when we toured with a 10 piece band which was a huge change for us. I live with story teller Taffy Thomas' daughter and his inspiring tales have always been an inspiration for us to collide with so Cumbria is a familiar place for us!"

The sister first got involved with Molly's music a few years ago Becky explained.

"We came across her music a few years ago when Molly's granddaughter (Nick Drake's daughter) released some of her recordings about three or four years ago and that's how we found out about the songs.

"Speaking to Gabrielle, she always remembered from a young age that when people would come round for dinner, her mum would play the piano and Molly's husband would press record and keep the tapes."

However, taking Molly's songs under The Unthanks wing wasn't as easy as expected.

"Some of Molly's songs were never recorded, but Gabrielle would sing what she remembered her mum singing from memory.

"We're incredibly excited to take these songs out on the road and take Molly's beautiful work out into the open.

"Gabrielle Molly's daughter has also recorded some poems which have interwoven into some of the songs. So fans coming to the concert can expect Molly's daughters voice.

"There will be a smaller lineup than usual but this time we're adding a clarinet which is something we haven't done before as it brings a different tone to the music. We've also arranged for some video footage of Molly to showcase which we hope will make the show feel very intimate and personal."

The Unthanks have sold out in Kendal but there are still tickets available at The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness online or you can call the box office on 01229 820000

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