What we love most about this business is making joyful new discoveries. There's a constant flow of fresh and exciting creativity and every now and again something emerges that is so good it demands your full attention. When you strike a rich seam, it's as energising as a jolt from the national grid. Bard nailed us to the spot; we were compelled to track them down and we are mighty proud to be working with them.

One of the hardest working, most refreshingly creative and hotly-tipped outfits on the UK roots music circuit, they built a reputation – and a tangible buzz – from a year of solid gigging that won them a hugely faithful following around the country.

In 2011, the London-based ensemble took their brand of classic English folk for the 21st Century on the road - from Glastonbury and Cambridge right up to Orkney and over to the Isle of Lewis.

Everywhere they went, they left many happy people in their wake.

Their much-anticipated debut CD gets an early 2011 launch and after that they will hit the road. These are great songs performed with stylish piz-zazz and entertaining inventiveness, all written by Theo Bard, from whom the band derives its name, with a healthy nod towards the best in traditional folk, and focusing on themes of place, love and friendship.

Theo (guitar and lead vocals), Ewan Bleach (clarinet and vocals) and Louisa Jones (accordion and vocals) formed the trio of modern-day minstrels in 2010. Multi-talented Ewan studied jazz at the Guildhall School of Music, and can also play sax and piano; Louisa attended the School of Oriental and African Studies and handles kora and whistle as well as accordion; Theo studied violin to Grade 8 and is an accomplished guitarist.

The line-up was augmented by the addition of percussionist Nick Owen and Jay Darwish on double bass (both of whom play on the album), to form the strong five-piece which will continue to tour extensively throughout 2012 to promote the album.