Folk Music

Faradena's folk music is influenced by nature, especially birdsong. She uses rhythms that are uncommon to British folk music and loves Eastern and African rhythms. In her composed songs you will hear stories of nature, movement, life, loss and love. Traditional songs are reimagined with unique arrangements and fresh soundscapes to bring the stories to life.  Her debut album 'Flash of Blue' has received great reviews and she has started recording songs and compositions for her next two albums.

Her upcoming album 'Flash of Blue' Special Edition will feature field recorded sounds from nature, with songs about swifts, robins, starlings, bumblebees, forests, lakes, the sea and a re-worked versions of traditional folk songs such as Three Ravens, Bonnie at Morn, and Drowned Sailor. She will be performing songs from this album in folk clubs and nature reserves.

Searching for The Golden Needle, is mostly about exploring the subconscious and T'ai Chi principles. It will feature original songs, dark and supernatural folk songs such as Bruton Town, The Unquiet Grave and an unaccompanied version of Thelonious Monk's Round Midnight.  

Always developing as a musician, she has recently started learning the handpan, African polyrhythms and polyphony from Coco Mbassi, drumming from Clark Tracy and making field recordings with naturalist, instrument maker and musician Nick Penny.  Nick and Fara made an EP together called Kingfisher Blue during lockdown and will be collaborating on her next two albums.

Faradena performs as a soloist and in collaboration with other musicians.

 

female musician playing violin with closed eyes performing music in a dimly lit space capturing the essence of music and emotion in the moment reflecting two passions

​Photo by Chris Freeman

a vibrant blue and orange kingfisher perched on green foliage in natural habitat with beautiful plumage for birdwatching outdoors

 

 

Kingfisher icon

Faradena Afifi/ Faradena & Friends

Faradena & Friends is a multicultural and diverse collective of excellent musicians. The combination can be anything from a duo, to a full 8 piece band depending on requirements and availability.  Performing the music from Fara's albums, musicians include: multi-instrumentalist, singer and artist Ansuman Biswas, pianist, hand held percussion and singer songwriter Farah Egby-Huque, singer songwriter and guitarist Ruth Ginger, finger stylist and singer songwriter Martin Kaszak, virtuoso flute player, singer songwriter, composer and percussionist Coco Mbassi, violin player and teacher Melanie Rose, professor Rowland Sutherland on flutes and amazing double bass and bass guitar player Julian Woods. With the different musical backgrounds and cultures, the music that emerges from the collective is captivating, fresh and puts a worldwide/ universal take on traditional British Folk.

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Tom Petie and the Home breakers

A newly formed band since October 2024, Tom's quartet plays country music, high quality covers and original songs by Tom. Fara is the fiddle and viola player and harmony vocals, Tom is on guitar and voice, Nicole Horst is on percussion and harmonies, Xander James is on bass guitar, mandolin and harmonies.  Tom and Fara met by accident late one the last night of Cambridge Folk Festival 2024 at The Den sing around and was asked to play on a couple of his songs and then was asked to play at a gig a few weeks later. Tom is an excellent singer with a baritone voice and can write beautiful songs.

 

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Kaszak and Afifi

This duo will be celebrating their 10th anniversary of playing and performing together in 2025. A Cambridgeshire based acoustic duo specialising in close harmonies and story songs. Martin writes engaging songs about smugglers, highwaymen, ghosts, love, death and is a specialist in fingerstyle guitar, country blues and rag time blues; he also plays mandocello and lute. Fara plays bowed string instruments and piano. They perform locally, and at folk festivals.

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Penny Afifi

Duo with Nick Penny, during lockdown they made this EP together, Kingfisher Blue. They can be often found at a nature reserve watching kingfishers, or at small festivals and are sometimes spotted busking together in Cambridge.  They will be collaborating on future recordings.

 

 

 

 

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Kingfisher Rose Events Duo

Working together in Faradena & Friends, Melanie and Fara formed an events duo. They are available for parties, weddings and other events playing an eclectic mix of folk and popular music arranged for two string players who sing. Contact Fara to book Mel and Fara for your next event. Musicians Union Rates apply.

 

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Banjo Nick and Fara the Fiddle

Busking duo playing blues and Banjo Nick's unique songs. We've been busking together since 2010. Find us on the street and be generous! 

 



 

 

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