Once described as a 'less pop-oriented version of The Corrs', the guitar/violin-based vocal duo Amalthea perform three acoustic tracks in the South Live studio, showcasing their charming but hauntingly beautiful style.

The tracks played are White Horse Hill, Coming Home to You and From the Stream.

Both talented musicians and performers in their own right, Helen Andrews and Deborah Peake first met at a festival in 2003, and came up with the band’s name after a struggle to find something suitable.

Explains Helen, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist: “Everything we found that we liked had already been taken. When we put it in to Google, somebody else already had it.

Moon

“But we started looking in astrology and astronomy books, and found Almathea. It’s actually the fifth moon of Jupiter. [The Italian astronomer] Galileo found the first four, but he missed Almathea!

Amalthea

“We just liked the sound of it. It’s something unusual, although a lot of people can’t pronounce it!”

Jethro

The pair met at the Fareham and Gosport Festival in 2003, where Helen had been invited to perform on stage with folk legend Jethro Tull, after he’d heard a song she’d recorded.

“The organiser of the festival phoned up to say that Jethro had asked for tapes of local artists, which is something he likes to do when he tours”.

Helen and Deborah met backstage and since then, they’ve been busy writing and performing. They’ve also recorded an EP and album, both available to buy from their website.

On the map

And with Seth Lakeman and his nomination for the Mercury Music Prize having put rootsy-based folk music back on the map, both Helen and Deborah see now as an interesting time for them and their style of music.

Says Helen: “The whole folk/roots music scene is very exciting at the moment, with young emerging artists like Seth Lakeman and Kate Rusby – it’s an exciting place to be”.

South:Live

BBC Radio Solent's South:Live showcases the best in new and unsigned musical talent across the South. Demo CDs can be sent to:
South:Live
FAO Phil Jackson
BBC Broadcasting House
Brighton, East Sussex
BN1 3XB

More information on sending in a demo CD can be found on the South:Live website (link below).