The Imagined Village is a folk musical project founded by Simon Emmerson of the Afro Celt Sound System, its' intention to produce modern folk music that represents modern multiculturalism in the United Kingdom and as such features musicians from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  The project started in 2004, and led to the release of an eponymous album in 2007 by a collective of artists on Real World Records.   In 2009 the project moved to a new record label and released their critically acclaimed second album 'Empire & Love' (ECC002) in 2010.  'Bending the Dark' collaborations with members of Afro Celt Sound System, Red Snapper, Transglobal Underground, The Bays, Duotone and folk royalty Martin and Eliza Carthy and Jackie Oates.