FOLK Week is in for a treat on August 10 as the Wild West lilt of Oregon's finest output comes floating from the concert marquee.

Rachel Harrington, whose critically acclaimed 2007 debut, The Bootlegger's Daughter, went to number one on the Euro-Americana Chart, is currently touring the UK with guitar legend and former Lindisfarne bassist Rod Clements. In an exclusive interview, Rachel shines her country soul on folk music, revealing the secrets of traditional folk and why English folk fans know so much more than her native American ones.

City of Refuge, Rachel's current album, is a bluegrass merge of old and new country. Her mythical, and often anecdotal, lyrics are rooted in her Western heritage, recalling tales of escape, relief and vision.

"The stories in my lyrics are often historical," Rachel explains: "I studied the history of the West at college and used memoir as inspiration. Personal experience is great to bring a story to life." Although Rachel's often traditional sound seems as natural as breathing, she reveals that "story writing is my first love. With music, it's all or nothing, it's a 24-7 job."

Touring almost non-stop since 2007, Rachel has dipped her mystic chords into many a folk fest and country gathering across the globe. And yet, she has never been to Folk Week. "I don't know what to expect, I've heard great things about it."

One thing that Rachel does know to expect is the knowledge and community of the English folk scene, "English fans are more educated musically when it comes to folk. They hear it differently, they appreciate their Celtic roots so there's an underlying sense of nostalgia. American fans don't quite appreciate the journey."

Her audience at Folk Week is in for an afternoon of soft acoustic remedy.

Rachel's Americana twang and expert accompaniment by Rod Clements provide the perfect combination.

"I met Rod very unromantically," Rachel admits: "We have the same booking agent. We did a short tour together last year, and it just worked. We knew we'd be touring again soon."

Don't miss the chance to catch the number one Americana folk artist in the heart of Broadstairs Folk Week.

●Rachel's as yet untitled album is due for general release in November, for more information visit www.rachelharrington.net

●Rachel and Rod play in the concert marquee on Tuesday at 2.30pm, tickets are £7, visit www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk or call 01843 604080.