Rising English folk artist Luke James Williams announces his second album ‘Limes Hotel,’ due this April, alongside the release of his new single ‘Hollows and Branches’ out February 6th.
A quietly arresting piece of contemporary folk, ‘Hollows and Branches’ finds Williams distilling his songwriting to its most intimate form. Led by his unmistakably English vocal and framed by sparse, atmospheric instrumentation, the song rises slowly and instinctively, letting its emotional core surface without distraction.
Speaking about the track, Williams explains: “I wrote this song remembering an old friend who is sadly no longer with us. I used to stay at her house and we’d have the most amazing times; climbing up hills late at night to see the stars and planets, cooking delicious food, playing music, we even once nursed an injured owl back to health before releasing it back into the wild. She instilled in me a profound love of nature and the idea that we are all one with the natural world around us.”
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdG2LkktIjE
Hollows and Branches is the third single from ‘Limes Hotel’ following ‘Seeds’ and ‘Ends.’ Earningwidespread praise and airplay from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio these new songs reveal an artist emerging as one of the UK’s most compelling new folk voices.
Officially announced today, ‘Limes Hotel’ marks a major new chapter for Williams. The album was shaped by an intense period of grief following the loss of two close friends. Across its 11 tracks, Williams explores mortality, belief, connection, and the quiet work of piecing yourself back together after loss. Yet despite its origins in sadness, the record ultimately leans towards renewal. Williams describes it as “new shoots reaching up towards the sun; the hope and promise of new life rising from the darkness.”
He adds: “Grief is universal but it often feels very isolating. I hope this album, whilst having been born out of a very dark time, can give a little light and some comfort to people going through similar experiences.”
BIO
Luke James Williams is an indie‑folk singer‑songwriter from Cambridgeshire, UK. His debut EP Drove (2018) earned early and enthusiastic support from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, who selected Still In Bed as his 6 Music Recommends Track of the Week and later named it his Track of the Year So Far. The song also received airplay from Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq and Tom Ravenscroft.
Williams released his debut album Our Blood Is Red in July 2022 to glowing reviews across the indie and folk press. Bandcamp highlighted it as one of their New & Notable releases, helping introduce his music to listeners around the world.
Renowned for his captivating and emotionally resonant live performances, Williams has supported artists including Thea Gilmore, Mark Chadwick (Levellers), Charlie Dore and Megson. Following an appearance at Cambridge Folk Festival, he embarked on his first UK headline tour in autumn 2022.
Once described as “the James Taylor of the Fens,” Williams has carved out a distinctive voice within modern British folk crafting vividly poetic songs delivered with a warmth, clarity and emotional honesty that is entirely his own.
NEW TOUR DATES
Wednesday 6th May – The Harrison, London
Friday 8th May – Mary Street Live, Sheffield
Thursday 14th May – LTB Showrooms, Coventry
Friday 15th May – Wax and Beans, Bury
Friday 12th June – Junction J3, Cambridge
Thursday 23rd July – South Mill Arts, Bishops Stortford
