What's on: Heidi Talbot, Burnley, May 19

For Heidi, one of the top singers on the folk scene at the moment, will be showcasing many songs from the, as yet, unrecorded album.

“After Burnley we go straight into the studio to record,” she said.

“With the shows we have been doing we have been playing material from the album so that we get the songs to exactly where we want them.

“The traditional way of doing it is to go in the studio first, record the record and then tour it.

During a tour the songs usually evolve and you always wish you could go back a re-record the album as the songs sound so much better.

“This way we will have done all that. We’re also hoping to record the album live with the band all playing together so again it’s been a big benefit to tour first.”

Heidi first came to prominence as a member of Cherish the Ladies before embarking on a successful solo career.

Her new album – Angels Without Wings – features a who’s who of folk songwriting talent from her husband an multi-instrumentalist John McCusker to King Creosote, Chris Drever and Karine Polwart.

For Heidi songwriting is something she’s had to fit in around her young daughter Molly.

“I think that has worked for me,” she said. “I’m not like John who writes ridiculously quickly, I tend to write when the feeling strikes me.”

The folk scene appears to be undergoing something of a resurgence at the moment but Heidi believes that folk music has an enduring appeal.

“I think there has always been a great folk scene,” she said.

“It’s just that the media has begun to take more of an interest in it. It is cyclical. But it is a brilliant thing that more people are talking about folk music.”

Now firmly established as a solo artist, Heidi clearly enjoys the freedom this brings.

“I loved being in Cherish the Ladies,” she said, “but ultimately it is more rewarding being a solo artist as you get to do what you want to do."

*Heidi Talbot, Burnley Mechanics, Saturday, May 19.

Details from the box office on 01282 664400.