For Folk's Sake » Beth Jeans Houghton

Singles | Beth Jeans Houghton, The Cornshed Sisters, Allo’ Darlin and Lucy Rose

For Folk's Sake — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:09:29 +0000

Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny – ‘Sweet Tooth Bird’

So I remember in primary school hearing a story about a father who challenged his daughters to fill a room with something to prove they loved him, which aside from the not even hidden aggressive patriarchy of the whole thing, is a pretty interesting conceit because whilst the idiot daughters tried filling it with things like grain, the clever daughter lit a candle and filled the room with light. I recall this story because ‘Sweet Tooth Bird’ sounds big, I mean spatially big, I mean it could fill a swimming pool or an Olympic stadium or a cathedral, big. It’s one of those songs that seems built around its (almost operatically big) vocals in a linear progression that can only be described as ‘up’. The album’ll probably be awesome (You can get a sense of how awesome from our review here).

The Cornshed Sisters – ‘Dance at my Wedding’

‘Dance at my Wedding’ is big in a different way in that it’s about a minute too long. I mean I’ve got a pretty good attention span, there just isn’t four minutes’ worth of ideas here. But what I like about this song is its unrelenting literalism: “Like when his dad said he’d made some good gravy / (echo) Good job on the gravy.” It makes it all very straightforward, which in turn makes its reprise of “I wish that you were still my friend” all the more sincere and beautifully understated.

Allo Darlin’ – ‘Capricornia’

Straightforwardness is also the mantra behind the new Allo Darlin’ single, a charming piece of old-fashioned acoustic-led indie pop. Some of the lyrics are pretty dark but you have to listen hard to notice because everything else about it just sounds so fun. The sort of fun you have at the kind of indie disco that tends to have a bake sale. In other words, the good kind.

Lucy Rose – ‘Red Face’

As straightforwardness seems to be the theme of the day, Lucy Rose makes an interesting comparison. ‘Red Face’ all sounds straightforward at first – Rose has one of those voices that’s totally light and undemanding so you think it’s going to be a really typical folky pop song. And in some ways it kind of is, albeit a fairly good one. And then in other ways, like the way the drums build and the way the drops work and the way the song’s delicious final phrases are mixed, it’s a real blinder. “For me this song really kicks ass here” comments someone named Olga at this point on the song’s Soundcloud page. For me too Olga, for me too.

Words: Tom Moyser

Album | Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny – Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

For Folk's Sake — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:02:35 +0000

It’s been nearly three years since Beth Jeans Houghton burst my iPods with her jaunty, melodic folk pop EP Hot Toast Volume 1, and three years on I’m still listening to it, even though dreams of Volume Two long since galloped away. Happily, 2012 sees Houghton and her Hooves of Destiny signed to Mute Records with a brand new album full of original material, including a new, enhanced version of Hot Toast track ‘Lilliput’.

Although seemingly always a fan of layering up her voice to harmonic effect, on her debut long-player, Houghton expands these harmonies to epic, choral effect. It’s like Kirsty MacColl with a purer voice and a lot more reverb. Her jaunty, angular style of composition remains ever-present, with a staccato force that that often melts away with Houghton’s dreamy, breathless voice – skip straight to recent single ‘Dodecahedron’ for a perfect example. The Hooves of Destiny too deserve their credit, for providing the chasm of layered instrumentation, including mighty drums, thunderous male backing vocals and even an oboe.

The ten distinctly different songs stand apart from each other yet work together in a joys 35 minute journey through mythical lyrics and haunting production; this is no namby pamby acoustic fare, this is a pop record which uses retro sounding clear electric guitars, slabs of sound and reverb – but also restraint – with a folky flare. In a nutshell, if I heard ‘Atlas’ down at my local discotechque, I’d pull you up on the floor to have a boogie.

You may note from the above that former Blur producer Ben Hiller deserves his dues for laying down a collection that may have felt too traditional with the more anonymous production styles of Mumford & Son’s Sigh No More record. Without the ambitious soundscaping on show here, the collection may have become too twee for some. As it is, I defy you not to listen and smile.

Words: Frankie Ward

Beth Jeans Houghton – Dodecahedron by Mute UK

News | Beth Jeans Houghton: Live BBC 6 Session + More London Dates.

Ellie Rumbold — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:55:57 +0000

Beth Jeans Houghton + The Hooves of Destiny.

Beth Jeans Houghton has recorded a live session with Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 music, where she performed a stunning rendition of “Dodecahedron” as well as her new single “Liliputt”, which is due to be released on the 14th November 2011, via Mute Records. The full performance can be listened to here. (Go to 1hour + 40 mins).

Both singles are taken from her upcoming, and of course, highly anticipated album “Yours Truely, Cellophane Nose” which is set for release on the 6th Feb 2012.

Beth + Band (The Hooves of Destiny) are also due to play a couple of London shows over Christmas: More info available here.

Dates:

Mon 5th Dec @ Dingwalls, Supporting Vetiver

Thurs 8th Dec @ Cargo, The End Of The Road Christmas Shindig

Words: Ellie Rumbold.

Playlist | Beth Jeans Houghton picks us some songs

Ian Parker — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:02:49 +0000

Beth Jeans Houghton is gearing up for a busy time as she prepares to release new single ‘Liliputt’ on November 14 before her debut album Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose follows in January. Before then, there’s a huge homecoming show at the Cluny in Newcastle on October 26th, but she still took time out to make us a youtube playlist of favourites old and new.

As you might expect from Ms Houghton, it’s an eclectic mix, making for the first time most of these people have ever appeared on the site!

Away we go.

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away

2. The Flaming Lips – She Don’t Use Jelly

3. Strange Boys – Be Brave

4. Frank Zappa – Camarillo Brillo

5. Bach – Brandenburg Concertos No.3 – i: Allegro Moderato

6. Serge Gainsbourg – Lemon Incest

7. Queen – Somebody To Love

8. Elis Regina – Aguas de marco

9. Sugarcubes – Hit

10. Radiohead – Karma Police

Beth Jeans Houghton and The Hooves of Destiny play the Cluny in Newcastle on the 26th October. New single ‘Liliputt’ is released on November 14, and you can watch the video below.

Beth Jeans Houghton (finally) announces debut album + free download

Ian Parker — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:41:36 +0000

The long wait for a Beth Jeans Houghton album is almost over.

Beth has not been heard from since the 2009 EP Hot Toast Volume One (we gave up waiting for Volume Two some time ago) but today emerged to announce that her debut album will come out on Mute this Autumn.

She’s even (partly) explaining the delay.

“I’m going to utilise the ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ line and leave it at that,” the 21-year-old said. “I spent a substantial amount of the last year in Los Angeles falling in love with the city, which is a first for me. I usually go for guys.”

The album has been recorded with producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode, Doves), and Beth describes it in her own unique way.

“I see this album as an animal I’m preparing to ride,” she said. “Grooming it, feeding it, braiding its hair, and I feel that Ben has built me a saddle that is both practical and comfortable to use.”

Because Autumn is a long way away, she’s giving us all a free download of ‘Dodecahedron’ to keep us going in the meantime.

For those that don’t know what a Dodecahedron is, here’s your answer.

“The night before I wrote it I had a dream that consisted of me running up to strangers in the street and asking them what a dodecahedron was, but no one knew,” Beth said. “I later found out that the ancient Greeks believed the Dodecahedron is a symbol of the universe and represents an idealized form of divine thought. Take from that what you will.”

Beth Jeans Houghton – Dodecahedron by Mute UK

FFS Exclusive: Andrew Davie, Beth Jeans Houghton and Tom Williams & the Boat for Camden Crawl

Lynn Roberts — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:00:48 +0000

FFS can exclusively reveal that Andrew Davie (formerly of Cherbourg), Beth Jeans Houghton and Tom Williams & the Boat will play this year’s Camden Crawl.

Other folky acts lined up include Sarabeth Tucek – who is supporting the Leisure Society on their forthcoming UK tour – and Treetop Flyers.

The Camden Crawl happens on the May bank holiday weekend in 20 or so venues in Camden including Koko, Dingwalls and the Jazz Cafe.

Tickets are £63.50 for the weekend or £39.50 for one day. Find out more at www.thecamdencrawl.com

Festival: Bestival 2010

For Folk's Sake — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 08:26:21 +0000

Villagers

As an Isle of Wight native, I’ve seen Bestival grow from a small, sparky young thing in 2004 to the vast, fiery dragon it is today. I worried that my favourite festival was about to grow so big that it would collapse in on itself, like a soufflé. Thankfully, a new site layout meant that this year there was enough space for the neon hordes to spread out and relax, and plenty of fun pockets to escape to, leading to arguably the best Bestival yet. There are so many things to love about this festival: the fancy dress, the friendly, silly ethos, the obvious care that goes into everything from the beautiful site design to the tasty food stalls, and above all the eclectic, inspired lineup.

Bestival-goers come in many flavours, but are often massive music nerds; turn up to see Steve Mason and you’ll meet a crowd of happy Beta Band fans doing the same. The only unifying theme is that most of the acts will make you want to dance, hard and fast. This year, organiser Rob Da Bank strode the spectrum from Rolf Harris to Dizzee Rascal: among other things there was hard rock, pop, electronica, gypsy swing, rap and, of course, folk in many incarnations.

Spindle & Wit attracted an excitable, bouncy audience at the Bandstand with a spirited, thumping set, sweet female vocals contrasting nicely with a more raucous and Mumford-esque male voice. They were endearingly surprised by the enthusiastic crowd, and a tentative offer of free Spindle & Wit bags resulted in a mini-stampede. Lulu and the Lampshades similarly beguiled their crowd at the Bimble Inn, playing an impressive array of instruments including a kind of tiny harp, tin breakfast bowls and what looked like part of a typewriter. A power failure forced an impromptu rendition of ‘Cups’ which was one of the highlights of my weekend, after which they completed their set to unanimous bliss and jigging about.

Lulu & the Lampshades

The most unusual find of the weekend was Laura J. Martin, who is like a tiny northern pixie. If you dislike cute things, you’d be advised to stay away, but she’s quite brilliant, trilling and looping her voice and various instruments (such as mandolin, xylophone and flute) into an intriguing, delicately layered sound that may be unique; despite clear influence from Jethro Tull and Kate Bush, I’ve not seen a performer quite like her.

In more familiar territory, Lissie was impassioned and impressive, easily filling the Rock & Roll tent, but I sadly missed Beth Jeans Houghton, Stornoway, The Shutes and, maddeningly, surprise guests Bombay Bicycle Club. Wild Beasts and Mumford and Sons both played to huge crowds; the Mumfords have ascended to become a veritable boyband of folk, their set preceded by at least three girls baring their breasts. There’s nothing so fun as tempting nice Christian boys to sin, it seems. The band took to the stage as musketeers, winning extra points for fancy dress, along with Jonsí, who delivered sweeping, ethereal beauty in the Big Top while wearing a giant feathery headdress.

Inside the wonderful Wishing Tree

The absolute highlight of the weekend, however, was Villagers. Frontman Conor J. O’Brien rapped his guitar for luck and proceeded to effortlessly strike everyone present into awe. On a surface listen, he could stand accused of angst, but O’Brien is unapologetic and unaffected. He knew that he was worth our time, and threw his whole being into proving it, strumming and singing and howling as if he’d just ripped his heart out through his throat, then subsiding into moments of intimate directness. ‘Pieces’ reached such a pitch that it became at once agonised and uplifting, a moment of overwhelming catharsis. There’s nothing like a singer who can deliver a kick straight from the heart to the solar plexus, and the rest of the band were wild as jackals, too. Intensely moving and unforgettable.

Finally, a shout for the other acts, folky or otherwise, who pleased and/or intrigued, all well worthy of your eyes and ears: Hot Chip, Fever Ray, Unicorn Kid, Floors and Walls, Starless And Bible Black, O Children, Muchuu, Hugo Frusslinsky, Sound of Rum and Sparrow & the Workshop. And a big cheer for the whole spirit of Bestival: onwards onwards, ears open, cape flying, with glowsticks in both fists.

Words: Becky Varley-Winter

In Photos: Latitude Festival

For Folk's Sake — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:58:06 +0000

Our photographer about town, Georgie M'Glug, reports on the folkier side of Latitude

Conor O’Brien of Villagers cries out to the packed Word Arena with his raw, immediate and achingly-heartfelt songs on Friday afternoon.

Demure and unassuming as ever, but with a new-found fire in her belly, Laura Marling commands the Obelisk Arena on Friday night.

What’s not to love about First Aid Kit? They arrived for their woodland set on Saturday by walking through the audience at the Sunrise Arena, took photos of each other whilst sound-checking, and thanked their dad for being their roadie sound man. Totally adorable!

Beehived and breathtaking, Beth Jeans Houghton treated ‘tuders to some haunting, country-tainted folk at the Lake Stage, Sunday night.

Festival stalwart Florence and the Machine

The marvellous Holly Miranda

Words and photos: Georgie M’Glug

The Folk Artist Twitter Directory

Stephen W Thomas — Thu, 06 May 2010 08:30:09 +0000

Below is our attempt at a comprehensive directory of folk artists currently on Twitter – of course, we aren’t Twitter deities and as such will almost certainly have missed out on certain artists. Let us know if you can think of any tweeting folk musicians in the comments below.

Akron/Family

Angus and Julia Stone

Asthmatic Kitty (Label)

Brian: FFS’s Mixtape-Making Owl

Broadcast 2000

Caitlin Rose

Cherbourg

Colin Meloy (Decemberists)

Damien Rice (PR Account)

Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion)

Divine Comedy (PR account)

Efterklang

Emmy the Great

Fanfarlo

FFS (Official Account)

Kurran & the Wolfnotes

Laura Marling (PR account)

Lisa Hannigan (PR account)

Lisa Mitchell

Lissie

The Living Sisters (PR account)

Local Natives

The Low Anthem

Midlake

Monsters of Folk (PR account)

The New Pornographers

Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy)

Peggy Sue

Rebecca Taylor (Slow Club)

Rufus Wainwright (PR account)

She & Him (PR account)

St. Vincent

Sweet Billy Pilgrim

The Swell Season (PR account)

The Swell Season (Glen Hansard)

Brian’s Mixtape #32: Moseley On Down

Brian — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:59:39 +0000

After spotting their rather brilliant blog post for FFS, Brian thought he’d ask the lovely folk at Moseley Folk Festival whether they’d put together a playlist to get him all fired up for the festival next September.

Brian’s going to be one busy owl this summer, with unmissable line-ups at Moseley, Open House Festival, End of the Road and Green Man. Luckily for him, though, he doesn’t have to brave the campsites and risk being fallen on by beered-up festival goers like the rest of us. Him and his pals just set up nest in a nearby tree. A fact about which he is unbearably smug.

There’s no camping at Moseley’s gorgeous site, though, so even us humans will pass the festival in comfort. Here are their picks of the Spotiverse featuring Moseley artists past and present and some they just really like. Check out FFS’s festival calendar for more info.

Brian’s Mixtape #32: Moseley On Down

Erland And The Carnival – Trouble In Mind
Donovan – Barabajagal
The Divine Comedy – Something for the Weekend
The High Llamas – Checking In, Checking Out
Johnny Flynn – Leftovers
Jocie Adams – To Ohio
Fyfe Dangerfield – She Needs Me
The Unthanks – Lucky Gilchrist
Jose Gonzalez – Crosses
Beth Jeans Houghton – I Will Return I Promise
The Besnard Lakes – Albatross
Bert Jansch – Red’s Favourite
Tunng – Hustle

If you’ve not got yourself registered on Spotify have a look at their website to learn more. And, if you need an invite (so you can use Spotify for free) let uncle Brian know in the comments section below and he will bestow one on you.

Have a flap around our mixtape section to find Brian’s previous efforts.

For Folk's Sake » Beth Jeans Houghton

Singles | Beth Jeans Houghton, The Cornshed Sisters, Allo’ Darlin and Lucy Rose

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Album | Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny – Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

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News | Beth Jeans Houghton: Live BBC 6 Session + More London Dates.

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Playlist | Beth Jeans Houghton picks us some songs

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Beth Jeans Houghton (finally) announces debut album + free download

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FFS Exclusive: Andrew Davie, Beth Jeans Houghton and Tom Williams & the Boat for Camden Crawl

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Festival: Bestival 2010

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In Photos: Latitude Festival

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The Folk Artist Twitter Directory

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Brian’s Mixtape #32: Moseley On Down

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