An antipodean take on folk music can be heard in St Albans next week.

Herts Advertiser: New Roots finalists Shorelark will appear at Folk at the MaltingsNew Roots finalists Shorelark will appear at Folk at the Maltings (Image: Archant)

Folk at the Maltings presents The James Brothers with support from New Roots finalists Shorelark at a concert on Friday, March 31.

The James Brothers are not really outlaws, neither are they brothers and only one of them is called James.

They come from the lands down under, Australia and New Zealand to be precise, lands in which the traditional songs and tunes of the British Isles have evolved their own unique characteristics.

The James Brother who is called James is Sydney-born James Fagan, best known as one half of the duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, both musically and maritally.

The James Brother who isn’t called James is Jamie McClennan, a Kiwi who found himself in a duo with Scotland’s BBC-award-winning Emily Smith, whom he also married.

While both men are quick to point out that their work with their wives is still the primary passion, The James Brothers allows them to be centre stage, playing the music of their roots and telling jokes without fear of being told off.

New Roots 2016 finalists Shorelark are a new young folk duo comprising singer-songwriter and guitarist Georgia Morgan Turner and recorder player and English folk multi-instrumentalist Finn Collinson.

Their arrangements make great use of unusual instrumentation, inspired by their wide influences, which range from Brazilian music to Baroque recorder works.

• Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8pm, cost £10, students £8, and under-16s £6. They are available on the door or in advance by booking online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo or by phone on 0333 666 3366.