Flo Perlin is a contemporary Folk singer-songwriter from London with Iraqi and Belarusian heritage. She released her new album Characters on 16th July 2021.
Growing up surrounded by an incredibly diverse range of music she learnt to play the cello at the age of five and fell in love with the guitar when her Columbian teacher introduced her to the world of Bossa Nova, influencing her own finger-picking technique. Flo also taught herself piano and started singing at the age of 10 as a way to begin writing songs.
Characters journals Flo’s exploration, getting to know the different aspects of herself and her relationship to them, exploring themes such as family roots, identity, relationships, belonging, mental health and the significance of self-reflection. Her lyrics are articulate, and the music original and mesmerising, showing how contemporary Folk music is evolving. Recorded and mixed at MAP Studio, Kentish Town, with a group of incredible session musicians, the new album features drums, electric and upright bass, keyboards, saxophone and a string trio.
With musical influences ranging from Zero 7 and Avishai Cohen to Laura Marling and Erykah Badu, Flo has dedicated her creativity to music that is meaningful to her. As a child, she played the cello in various orchestra’s at The Royal Academy of Music and other youth orchestras and chamber groups. At 14 she toured Finland and Jamaica with the Haringey Youth Orchestra. Classical music has been a considerable influence and foundation for her music writing.
Flo has busked around the Middle East, USA, Europe and Asia (where she ordained as a Buddhist nun in Myanmar), her 2017 debut album Cocooned was well received and in 2019 her EP Stories gained support from national and regional media; including BBC Radio London Robert Elms, BBC Radio Ulster and Folk Radio UK, whilst also being played several times on Tom Robinsons BBC Introducing show. She works closely with The Nest Collective after winning their sought-after songwriting mentorship in 2019, and has supported artists such as Sam Lee, Peggy Seeger and Rachel Newton.
Since the release of her current album ‘Characters’ in July 2021 she has been a presence on BBC Radio 2 numerous times, BBC Radio London with Robert Elms, 6Music, BBC Scotland, BBC Bristol, BBC Wales, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Shropshire, Folk Radio UK and a number of times on Tom Robinsons’ BBC Introducing. Flo’s music has received impressive reviews from magazines and blogs such as Americana UK, Fresh On The Net, Folk Radio UK, Fatea showcase session, CSGM blog, Higher Plain Music, The Sound Sniffer and played on prestigious Spotify playlists including Mahogany, Fresh Finds UK & Ireland, New Music Friday UK, Jazz UK and Lost In The Woods.
Show timings: 19:15 - 19:50 - Clare Sands, 20:00 - 20:40 - Flo Perlin, 20:50 - 22:00 - Thea Gilmore