FOR Blueflint, it’s important to be honest and natural, along with being open to ideas and feedback, while making music.

The new album from the Edinburgh-based band – Deborah Arnott on vocals, banjo and ukulele and Clare Neilson on vocals, clawhammer banjo, joined by Hugh Kelly on double-bass, Danny Hart on fiddle and Ali Murray on drums – is the third.

Stories From Home sees the band moving towards an “alt folk flavour”.

Speaking of it, Deborah said: “Clare and I write songs that are somehow connected to our own lives or situations we see around us, that we relate to. The songs in ‘Stories from Home,’ came naturally for us, looking at relationships, homelife in Edinburgh and both being mothers now.

“The sound of Blueflint is defined by close harmonies, accompanied by a five-piece line-up intertwining banjos, fiddle, piano, electric guitar, double-bass and drums in raw, honest and beautifully-crafted songs, imbued with the power of Paul Savage’s new direction in production for the band.

“The album sees the band naturally evolving towards an alt folk flavour. Our sound has definitely evolved with this new album . It happened naturally during the song writing process and then working with the producer Paul Savage developed our sound further. It isn’t too much of a leap though. We are delighted with it!” Blueflint embarked on a tour in support of the album last month.

They have a whole host of dates lined up and will be at Edinburgh Folk Club, at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, on Wednesday 13 May.

Deborah said: “The audiences have been great. It’s always one of the highlights of touring for us – meeting the people on the road and at the gigs. And seeing places we wouldn’t normally get to.

“We have toured round England down to Dorset, London, and Yorkshire and are now on our Scottish leg of the tour, returning to England in May. We are touring until the end of May.” Although they enjoy spending time in the studio, the opportunity to get out and meet audiences is always a high point.

She added: “We enjoy both aspects. We very much enjoy performing live, building a rapport with an audience, and creating an atmosphere. We very much appreciate audiences coming out to see our music and want the audience to have a special, enjoyable night.

“We also enjoy being in a studio – it is very different from playing live.”