"Mike Turnbull is a singer-songwriter from the Lake District whose main instruments are tenor guitar & octave mandola. Their sound coupled with the sources of his songs suggests Seth Lakeman and, in truth, that isn’t a bad comparison. He certainly has the same drive and energy."
(Dai Jeffries - Folking.com).
New release for 2020, Courageous Tree, a 5 song ep featuring guest musicians.
Courageous Tree Promo.
Teamed up with double bass player Suzanne Ambrose, Mike has played many live shows throughout Cumbria with their catchy indie, nu-folk sound. Now a trio with Cajon player Dave Pennington as Mike Turnbull & The Safe Kings
Notable supports have been for Melanie C, The Farm, Tobias Ben Jacob, Bella & Polly, Jacob & Drinkwater (Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater), Saskia GM, Harbottle & Jonas, Hadrian's Union.
FATEA: "...Turnbull (Guitar, Mandolin, Mandola) surrounds himself with excellent musicians such as Lukas Drinkwater ( Bass, Electric Guitar and Banjo), Evan Carson (Bodhran) and Ciaran Algar on violin. As a group, you couldn't ask for better and the music definitely shines". (March 2019)
In conclusion, "In So Small a Compass" is an album of finely crafted songs that get stronger with each subsequent play. If you appreciate the likes of Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys, Goats Don't Shave and Seth Lakeman then in Mike Turnbull you'll find a kindred soul. There's much in So Small a Compass. Ian Cripps (In So Small A Compass review March 2019)
In So Small A Compass promo.
Circlet of Gold EP promo.
Late 2017, saw the initial release of ‘Circlet of Gold’ an indie-folk album featuring 7 original songs, some of which are inspired by Mike's home region the Lake District.