Here at FFS we’ve been super fans of Alessi’s Ark – aka Alessi Laurent-Marke – since the very beginning. We should probably have a badge or something. We first caught wind of Alessi when she was a whip of a thing charming tiny pubs in 2008, and by 2010 she was supporting Laura Marling, we’ve...
It would be over the top to suggest that, at the age of 22, it was make-or-break time for Alessi Laurent-Marke. But there is no denying that Alessi’s Ark needed a third album of substance, something to erase words like ‘promise’ and ‘potential’ from people’s minds and confirm her as in artist to be...
It’s time to get aboard the Ark again. Alessi Laurent-Marke, AKA Alessi’s Ark, has unveiled a new track, ‘Tin Smithing’, in anticipation of the release of her third album The Still Life next month. Despite clocking in at under two minutes, ‘Tin Smithing’ still has something of an epic sweep to it, rising from...
Bushstock. Bushstock Bushstock Bushstock is all we’ve been hearing for the last few weeks, and the run up to last weekend was just as exciting as the day itself. Run by Communion Records (home to Ben Howard, Daughter, Michael Kiwanuka and co), it’s the first festival of it’s kind, one which delivers pure, wonderful...
This Friday sees the opening of “DIY is all you need”, a free exhibition celebrating music and DIY culture in Deptford, London. Organised by Folie à Deux and Broken Sound, the exhibition will include artwork from Jeffrey Lewis, Rachael Dadd, Rozi Plain, This is the Kit, Alessi’s Ark and more. And the works will be accompanied...
If you like your folk dreamy, stripped-down and devoid of gimmicks, we suggest you check out Emma Gatrill. Falling somewhere between Hannah Peel, Alessi’s Ark and Serafina Steer, harpist Gatrill weaves vocals and melodies together in understated, beautifully-crafted patterns. Whether singing about unrequited love or the the dangers of a cruel world, she is...
Dear readers, My apologies for this playlist’s tardiness, for an owl likes to be prompt, but some distant cousins came to stay over the weekend and they caused too much carnage for me to turn a blind eye to the mess for even a minute. I spent all yesterday re-alphabetising my first day...
With their long drapes of hair and songs dotted with twangling loopy bits and swooping girl-trio harmonies, Stealing Sheep are a bit of a throwback to hippydom, but they have more than retro appeal going for them. Noah and the Paper Moon feels fresh and playful, with beautifully textured tracks that are lifted out...
Brighton-based collective Willkommen announce line-up for third annual Foxtrot festival held at stately home Stanmer House. Peggy Sue and Alessi's ark will support headliners Herman Dune, alongside Sam Amidon, Nancy Elizabeth, This is the Kit and Hannah Peel.
This is far from the first time FFS has seen Alessi Laurent-Marke perform live, but it might as well be. The shy girl whose last two gigs in Leeds were the lowest of low-key affairs in the corner of a noisy bar, Alessi stumbling over her lyrics as she performed alone, has gone. The...
#76 The Wood Brothers - Midnight Rider May 18th, 2013
#75 Hero & Leander - Kiss Me By The Water Cooler May 17th, 2013
#74 Penniless Cove - Monsoon Rain May 16th, 2013