Blair Dunlop's Pets

Blair Dunlop is an English folk musician and actor, recognized for his leadership of The Albion Band from 2011 to 2013 and for his solo music career, highlighted by winning the Horizon Award at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and receiving the Special Jury Prize at the Premio Ciampi in Livorno, Italy, in 2014. His discography includes four solo albums and an EP, starting with “Blight and Blossom” in 2012 and extending to “Notes From An Island” in 2018.

In his early career, Dunlop debuted as an actor with a role in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005), directed by Tim Burton, where he portrayed the young Willy Wonka. Shifting focus to music, Dunlop succeeded in establishing a solo career with notable albums such as “House of Jacks” in 2014 and “Gilded” in 2016, released under his label, Gilded Wings Records. His work is characterized by lyrical storytelling and instrumental skill, which have been influential in modern English folk music.

Dunlop’s collaborations extend beyond family ties with his father, Ashley Hutchings, to include work with American roots band Larkin Poe, resulting in a collaborative mini-album in 2013. His partnership with producer Mark Hutchinson has been critical in shaping the sound of his solo albums. Dunlop’s involvement with The Albion Band, a group with deep roots in British folk history, connects him to a legacy of musicians including Simon Nicol and Dave Mattacks.