For Folk's Sake » News

Mountain Goats @ Koko 09/09/10 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Helen True — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:26:43 +0000

We love the Mountain Goats. So much they make our knees quiver and our hearts sing. They’re so especially wonderful that Emmy the Great occasionally can’t speak when in their presence (see evidence here). They write songs with wit and grace and lyricism beyond measure.

Forgive us if this seems overly effusive, but you see a rather odd piece of information has wound its merry way to FFS HQ. This spectacular American band, with poet-of-the-highest-calibre John Darnielle as their lyricist in chief, are playing Koko this Thursday (9th September) and it’s not sold out yet. That’s right. There are a lot of fools in London about to miss out on something pretty darn fantastic.

It’s perfectly possible that a lot of Mountain Goats fans assumed the gig was sold out. We say again: it’s not. If you’re new to the party, here’s a quickly knocked-up Spotify Playlist of some of their most utterly wonderful songs: The Mountain Goats are too good for WORDS. There’s also a whole pile of things we’ve written about them at FFS below this article.

So there you go. We’re basically recommending them with all of our hearts. Go. It’ll be astonishing. We’re going to be there with BELLS on. If you don’t want to be a fool, toddle over to Koko’s website, and get yourselves a blooming ticket.

Words: Helen True

WIN: tickets to Rockfeedback 10th birthday celebrations featuring British Sea Power

Lynn Roberts — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:54:44 +0000

Website and promoters extraordinaire Rockfeedback are celebrating their anniversary with a London show “Rockfeedback X: Ten Years of Rockfeedback”, which featuring a stellar line up of gigs and an exhaustive list of DJs.

On 17th September RFB will take over new East London venue XOYO with performances from British Sea Power, Future of the Left, Anna Calvi, Three Trapped Tigers and some secret guests.

For more information and tickets visit Rockfeedback.com. Doors open at 8pm and goes on until 3am.

Rockfeedback’s founder Toby – who started the website in his bedroom when he was 15 – said: ‘We’re thrilled with the standard of artists that have wanted to perform – we’ve actually been trying to book British Sea Power for one of our live events for what might as well be a decade now, so it’s apt we finally got them!”

Rockfeedback since spawned Transgressive Records, which has worked with artists including Johnny Flynn, Regina Spektor and The Shins.

To win a pair of tickets to the show just tell usthe name of British Sea Power’s first album. Send answers to RFBcomp [at] forfolkssake.com by noon on 14th September. The winner will be notified the same day.

Jay Jay Pistolet’s new band first track revealed

Lynn Roberts — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:07:48 +0000

Jay Jay Pistolet’s “new direction”, much speculated about since he hung up his acoustic guitar last year, was revealed recently. He’s the singer with new London-based rock ‘n’ rollers The Vaccines.

There’s not much info about the band to be found on their website. But if you like an arty photo or two, you’d be well advised to head over there.

We’ll keep the information coming as we have it, but in the meantime have a listen to their first song, If You Wanna. It’s already been given away on Lauren Laverne’s 6 Music show and lauded as ‘the hottest record in the world’ by Zane Lowe on Radio 1. We’re loathe to add to the hype, really, but it’s pretty good so we just have.

Allotment returns with David Dondero

Lynn Roberts — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:46:00 +0000

After a brief hiatus, FFS and Anika in London’s Allotment night is back.

On 28th August at The Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green (my favourite place in the world, ever) we’re bringing you US songwriter David Dondero, who has toured with Bright Eyes, the Mountain Goats and Willy Mason. He releases music on Conor Oberst’s Team Love Records. You can listen to him on Spotify

He will be joined by Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golems — who recently got the FFS new band panel treatment — and Allotment stalwart Joe Innes.

Tickets are available in advance from We Got Tickets.

In the past the Allotment has put on headline shows for Caitlin Rose, She Keeps Bees, Scary Mansion, Broadcast 2000 and Alessi’s Ark.

Preview: River Rat Pack All Dayer

Helen True — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:39 +0000

At a bit of a loss for things to get up to over the bank holiday weekend? (It’s the last weekend of August, in case you don’t have a calendar or something). There’s a day’s worth of musical delights on offer at The Old Queen’s Head in Hoxton on Sunday 29th (for free if you turn up before 8pm).

Tempted? Allow me to further whet your appetite:

Man Like Me are a rather funky London-centric band peddling a very unique, up-to-the-minute brand of pop.

King Charles has loads and loads and loads of hair, friends including Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale, and a poetic, never-skips-a-beat way with words.

Josh Weller is sweet as a nut, soulful in his singing and impeccable in his choice of bow ties.

And that’s just three of the acts. To summarise: live music, exemplary DJs, food, drink, merriment and (hopefully) sunshine to while away the twelve hours between 3pm and 3am, then all of Monday to recover from all the enjoyment you’ll most likely have had. I think this is what they call a no-brainer.

We have two pairs of tickets for the River Rat Pack All Dayer to give away to the first two FFS readers to email ally@thecolumbogroup.com. Say we sent you, and be nice and friendly. It’s not often a nice person gives you free tickets to a lovely gig.

Laura Marling announced as Foxtrot’s secret headliner

Lynn Roberts — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:58:35 +0000

Laura Marling at Latitude by Georgie M'Glug

The chaps at Brighton collective Willkommen have been keeping the identity of their Foxtrot headliner firmly underwraps, but have tonight revealed that it’s none other than Laura Marling.

She joins an already exciting bill featuring Rozi Plain, The Mariner’s Children, Anna Calvi, Sons of Noel and Adrian, Francois & The Atlas Mountains, The Miserable Rich, Rachael Dadd, Shoreline, Mary Hampton, The Climbers, Kristin McClement, Laish, Rowan Coupland and Rayon Breed for the September 12th event to be held at Stanmer House in Brighton, where Willkommen has held events before.

Tickets are available from We Got Tickets, Ticketweb and See Tickets. If they’re sold out there are some available from Resident: 01273 606312 or 28 Kensington Gardens, Brighton and Rounder: 01273 325440 or 19 Brighton Square, Brighton.

Visit Willkommen’s website for more information.

Competition: Win tickets to see Pete Roe

Lynn Roberts — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:01:30 +0000

Photo: Martyn Leung

Communion artist Pete Roe is giving away two free tickets to his London show tomorrow night (Wednesday 10th August).

The Electroacoustic club show is being held at the Slaughtered Lamb in Clerkenwell. Support is from London alt-folk band Endersby’s Room. To be in with a chance of winning, just tweet the following sentence word-for-word.

“Tweet this to be in with a chance of winning 2 tickets to see @mrpeteroe at Electroacoustic club in London @forfolkssake: #competition”

The winner will be contacted via twitter at lunchtime on the day of the show.

Pete Roe has also been lined up for the Communion showcase at Open House Festival in Belfast, alongside Matthew & the Atlas, Lowly Knights and Marcus Foster.

If you’ve not signed up to Twitter, and want to because of this competition. Head to the homepage, and follow the simple instructions. Once you’ve done that, you might like to head over to our Folk Artist Twitter Directory, for some ideas about whose accounts to follow. You’ll be tweeting away in no time.

Midlake announce UK tour

FFS writers — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:16:32 +0000

Following the release of their sublime third album The Courage of Others Schmercury award finalists Midlake have announced regional tour dates to accompany their London show at the Roundhouse.

You can see the band at the following venues in October and November:

Sunday 31 October – EXETER – Lemon Grove (£16)

Monday 1 November – NORWICH – UEA (£16)

Tuesday 2 November – LONDON – Roundhouse (£19.50)

Friday 5 November – OXFORD – Academy (£16.50)

Saturday 6 November – LEICESTER – 02 Academy (£16)

Wednesday 10 November – CAMBRIDGE – Junction (£16)

You can vote for your album of the year in the Schmercury awards here.

Words: Kim Deadman

Schmercury Awards 2010: Shortlist announced

Lynn Roberts — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:13:37 +0000

Not one to be left out of all this Mercury spoofing, FFS is delighted to announce this year’s Schmercury Awards shortlist. We had such a hard time whittling all the fantastic albums released this year down to just 12 that we had to have a sit down with some tea and Belle & Sebastian to calm our nerves. However, it is done, and here – in alphabetical order – are our finalists.

Broadcast 2000 – Broadcast 2000
Gemma Hampson said: “This album is a hit waiting in the wings. It’s eclectic enough to be accepted by some of the alt-folk fanatics, different enough to be listened to by those dipping a toe into the more avant-garde acoustic and commercial enough to be played all over every radio station and snapped up by the masses.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Caitlin Rose – Own Side Now
Helen True said: “Caitlin Rose is a young, fresh, twenty-something who knows her way around country music backwards and upside-down. There’s nothing remotely cheesy or outdated about her lyrics, and yet they fit beautifully over what is undeniably very traditional country music. She writes witty words packed with verve and intelligence, all set alight when she sings with the most gorgeous Tennessee drawl.
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Cocos Lovers – Johannes
Alice Knapp said: “Kentish folk stalwarts Cocos Lovers’ latest album, Johannes, captures all the beauty of their live singing. The clear-toned guitars, flickering mandolin and chorus vocals are filled with British tradition. At the same time, other worldwide musical references can be heard in the use of upbeats, hand drums, accordions and operatic vocal cords.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Field Music – Measure
Liane Escorza said: “A kaleidoscope of textures and a versatile canvas of sounds… it opens up shyly, gets confident and alert on its own toes and then bursts into wings of indulgence… a brilliant surge of compelling music and a jungle of brilliant surprises.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
Lynn Roberts said: “Mixing Beach Boys’ sunny Californian harmonies and Simon & Garfunkel’s syncopated rhythms with a raucous, upbeat and infectious dollup of youthful energy, Local Natives’ soaring vocals and everyday, truthful lyrics make Gorilla Manor a true delight… and what’s more, one you can dance to.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Interview)

Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Lynn Roberts said: “The most surprising aspect of I Speak Because I Can is just how robust the once painfully shy Laura now sounds. With rousingly primal tracks like opener Devil’s Spoke, she has extended her repertoire from the meeker sounds of Alas I Cannot Swim. In fact, this LP is in danger of totally overshadowing her Mercury-nominated debut.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Midlake – The Courage of Others
Stephen Thomas said: “Present on Courage is the sort of sweeping majesty that was a staple ingredient of the folk scene in the early seventies. With this album Midlake have realised their position in the world, and in the music industry – and it’s right at the top of the pile.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Anais Mitchell – Hadestown
Lynn Roberts said: “It’s been all I could do to tear myself away from Anais Mitchell’s concept album/folk opera Hadestown. A modern retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, it features guest vocals from Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Ben Knox Milller from the Low Anthem as well as Greg Brown and Ani DeFranco. It’s definitely one of the best things I’ve heard all year.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Mountain Man – Made the Harbor
Ali Mason said: “Bluegrass-tinged folk songs bringing to mind the vast sweeping landscapes of the United States, from the New England hills through the Rockies and the Deep South and beyond, as they sing about buffalos and herons and rivers and bees. What marks it out more than the complex, three-part harmonies which flit so gracefully on the air is the sense of stillness and calm which pervades. A perfectly-formed work of understated joy.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Noah & the Whale – The First Days of Spring
Lois Jeary said: “A lifetime of heartbreak away from the whistling and clapping of their twee-folk debut, the album is Charlie Fink’s brutal confession on the state of his heart following his relationship with Laura Marling. But with the imagery of approaching “blue skies” recurring throughout, the lingering impression left by this beautiful album is not of desolation, but of the broken heart’s cautious optimism at the freedom to pursue new possibilities and loves.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Peggy Sue – Fossils & Other Phantoms
Mary Machin said: “Peggy Sue have concocted a heady mixture of blues, rock and doo-wap with their debut. Fossils is a flawlessly contained world all of its own. Its remarkable coherance makes it a body of work to be cherished for years to come.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Sea of Bees – Songs for the Ravens
Nikki Dodds said: “This sweet and complex record presents a hybrid of tunes all tied together via the lazy warmth of Baenziger’s voice. It is interesting and moreish as you witness the tracks tumble between dark and light.”
(Spotify, MySpace, FFS Review)

Like last year — when The Leisure Society’s debut album The Sleeper won the first FFS Schmercury Poll after a battle with Camera Obscura’s My Maudlin Career — we’ve refused to be constrained by geography as the Mercury Prize is, and so this list features our favourite records from around the world.

Have yourselves a listen, and then vote for your pick of the bunch below (you can vote once a day, if you’re keen). But whichever wins, know that we recommend all of these records very highly indeed and urge you to seek out the ones you haven’t heard. Because there’re few things nicer than discovering another brilliant album.

Wears the Trousers announce Venus/No-Penis Awards

Lynn Roberts — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:14:38 +0000

The uber-wonderful people at Wears the Trousers have announced their very own Mercury spoof the Venus/No-Penis Awards.

Wears the Trousers is very close to FFS’s hearts for many reasons, not least that it seeks to redress the balance in the industry by celebrating music-making women.

And there are plenty to be celebrated. Something a glance at the Venus Awards shortlist confirms unequivocally. Peggy Sue, Nancy Elizabeth, Cate le Bon and Gemma Ray are among the finallists.

WTT are asking you to vote for your favourite of the 12 shortlisted albums, and they will announce the winner on September 7th – the same day as the Mercury Prize. Your favourite artists wins a donation to a charity of their choice.

Head to Wears the Trousers to see the full shortlist and pick your winner.

For Folk's Sake » News

Mountain Goats @ Koko 09/09/10 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

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WIN: tickets to Rockfeedback 10th birthday celebrations featuring British Sea Power

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Jay Jay Pistolet’s new band first track revealed

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Allotment returns with David Dondero

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Preview: River Rat Pack All Dayer

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Laura Marling announced as Foxtrot’s secret headliner

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Competition: Win tickets to see Pete Roe

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Midlake announce UK tour

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Schmercury Awards 2010: Shortlist announced

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Wears the Trousers announce Venus/No-Penis Awards

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