IRISH folk singer Heidi Talbot will perform songs from her fifth solo album in Otley next week.

The County Kildare singer-songwriter, who won 2008's Indie Acoustic award, will take the stage at Otley Courthouse on Friday, October 20.

Here We Go, 1, 2 , 3, her latest album, embraces a variety of musical styles including folk, Americana and classic pop.

It also sees Talbot joined by a host of musicians and co-writers, including Louis Abbott (from Admiral Fallow), Duke Special, Adam Holmes and Boo Hewerdine.

The singer, who now lives in Scotland with musical partner and husband John McCusker, said: "The title, Here We Go, 1, 2, 3, takes that idea of jumping, whether it's into new musical territories, new bands, a new studio, new label, new family - new everything, really.

"It's about taking a chance. I've written eight out of the ten songs on this album in some context, whether it's the lyrics or the music - that's the most I've ever contributed. And it's quite personal.

"A lot has happened since my last album.

"We've built a recording studio, and started a label, and I've got a different band.

"I've had a second daughter. I've lost my mum. So, it feels like - okay, get ready to jump.

“The album was written over a couple of years.

"I stopped touring, stopped recording, took some time after having another baby and sorted everything out in my head a little bit."

Featuring reflections on birth, death and getting older, the album includes the country-pop meditation The Year That I Was Born, which was co-written with Louis Abbott.

Other highlights include the downtime bluegrass psalm Do You Ever Think of Me and a jig, Time to Rest, written by Adam Holmes.

Recorded in Talbot and McCusker's self-built studio near their home in the Scottish borders, it sees Talbot joined by McCusker (on violin, cittern, whistles and harmonium) and a host of contributing musicians.

They include: Innes White, James Lindsay, James Mckintosh, Megan Henderson, Toby Shippey, Andy Seward, Donald Shaw, Michael McGoldrick, Toby Shaer, Adam Holmes, Louis Abbott, Su-a Lee and Sorren Maclean.

Talbot's Otley show starts at 8pm and tickets cost £15. They can be booked by visiting otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the venue, Courthouse Street.

Comedy fans, meanwhile can look forward to seeing acclaimed stand-up Stephen K Amos performing at the Courthouse on Wednesday, November 29.

The comic is bringing his latest show, Bread and Circuses, to the venue.

Amos says the title comes from a phrase coined by a satirical poet in 1AD Rome, and that the show is inspired by the current state of the world.

He said: "The way I’m looking at it is that the world now is one big crazy circus.

"And circus was one of the earliest forms of entertainment to keep the masses appeased in the same way that we have all these crazy distraction techniques now.

"One of the biggest TV shows of the year is Love Island: if that’s not a major distraction technique I don’t know what is.

"And also I was looking at the phrase ‘let them eat cake’ as we live in a world with artisan types of cake and bread and no one is eating the regular bread any more.

"What was once a staple food of the poor has become £4 for a loaf."

Referring to his touring schedule, he added: "I love the fact that I go around the country and see the odd place that still has character and not just the same bog-standard high street.

"I like the fact that you can engage with people and do jokes that are social commentary or maybe a bit risqué, and people will get them."

His show at the Courthouse starts at 8pm and tickets cost £17.50.