RISING stars of the Dorset folk scene Kadia will launch their eagerly anticipated debut album in Southampton on Friday, April 3.

The gig at Southampton Art House is one of a number of dates in the southwest in the lead-up to the release of East of Alexandria on April 20.

They have stayed true to their folk genre by including four arrangements of traditional folk songs, complementing the album with eight original pieces inspired by traditional maritime and military themes.

The album name, East of Alexandria, was inspired by the Battle of the Nile, one of Lord Nelson’s most famous naval victories over the French, which took place in the southern Mediterranean in the late 18th century.

In addition to producing their original material, Kadia arrange and regularly perform inventive versions of traditional folk songs, retaining the original melodies and lyrics and sharing the stories behind them with their friendly and endearing banter between songs.

They also occasionally ‘folkify’ versions of pop songs.

The band utilises close harmony singing, cello, guitar, ukulele, mandolin and percussion, and the sound centres around a foot-stomping, vibrant and uplifting feel, even when the song describes death, heartache and general misery, as many good folk songs do.

Kadia are really excited to be opening the tour with their first appearance in Southampton.

Call 023 80238582, or visit thearthousesouthampton.org.