Burd Ellen is a project featuring Debbie Armour (Alasdair Roberts, Green Ribbons) and Gayle Brogan (Pefkin, Electroscope). The group uses traditional song to explore and evoke dark landscapes and deep stories. Innovative instrumentation, drone and sound-wash support detailed vocal work to create a unique sonic atmosphere. They are twice featured in The Guardian’s Folk Albums of the Year, 2020 and 2022

Their fourth album, as yet untitled, was recorded in June 2026 at the Unitarian Chapel in Whitby, supported by Arts Council England. The record tells the story of a mother, her baby, the sea and the moon as they travel the night together. The forthcoming release will be produced by Brighton based Agnes Haus and feature Paul Hamlyn alumnus Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me), and Scottish composer and vocalist Rylan Gleave (All Men Unto Me, Ashenspire).

A Tarot Of The Green Wood, their third studio album, released Oct 2022 and featured Ian Lynch (One Leg One Eye, Lankum) and Mark Wardlaw (Kenosist, The Old Police House).
It entered the Official UK Folk Album charts at number 17 and the UK Album chart at number 40. It was number 5 in The Guardian’s Best Folk Albums 2022, and also made Best of Year lists from Folk Radio UK, Concrete Islands, Record Crates United and more. Songlines magazine gave it a coveted Top Of The World spot and the singles received regular plays on BBC6 Music, BBC Radio3 and BBC Radio Scotland.

Burd Ellen have appeared at Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Fanø Free Folk Festival, Cafe Oto, The Glad Cafe and many other stages in the UK and Europe. They are carving out a sonically adventurous niche, but one that is informed by a deep love and respect for traditional song.
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"The most innovative duo in folk" - Folk Radio UK. (Best Albums of 2020 & 2022)
"one of the artists pushing folk music into radical climes long before it came back into vogue” - The Quietus
"One of the finest folk explorers" - The Wire Magazine
"Wonderful!” - Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music
“Dripping with strangeness and unease” - The Guardian (Top 10 Folk Albums 2020 & 2022)


Useful links:

burdellen.com
burdellen.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @burdellenmusic
Facebook: /burdellen

YouTube Links:
The Hermit LIVE: Burd Ellen 'The Hermit' | Live from Sage Gateshead
Burd Ellen Live Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Btr5efiOJlkop5U5Qpb6u888LZVD65E