For Folk's Sake » Jeremy Warmsley

Live: Slow Club @ Koko, London

For Folk's Sake — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:16:29 +0000

Just as Ronseal Quick Drying Woodstain does exactly what it says on the tin, the presence of the two protagonists of Slow Club on the front cover of their debut album Yeah So implies that two people will take to the stage when they perform. The days of Slow Club packing out the Luminaire and Cargo as a twosome are, however, behind Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor who enlisted the backup of an additional drummer and Jeremy Warmsley of Summer Camp to kick off their largest UK show as headliners in front of the crowd at Koko.

The effect was to ramp up the tempo from the off, starting with faster numbers such as ‘Our most Brilliant Friends’ and ‘Giving up on Love’ before their support left the stage leaving the toothsome twosome (hopefully that compliment will alleviate the effects of being called a “pair of fat, spoilt adult-toddlers playing at life” on Youtube) to strum and drum whilst harmonising on songs that are, on one occasion as lazy as a wistful summer, then on another barnstorming and full of raucous energy.

Although the silence when Rebecca sang the dirge ‘Sorry about the Doom’ was that of breath held in respectful awe of her heartfelt lament, it would be ridiculous to paint Slow Club as downbeat in spite of the fact that their song titles are generally less than optimistic. The duo put any such worries to rest by ramming their collective tongue firmly in cheek on a regular basis with wide eyed lyrics and jokes between tracks boasting a cringe factor any Dad would be proud of:

“What did the cheese say to itself when it looked in mirror? Halloumi…”
- Rebecca Taylor, June 2010

Throughout the show, Slow Club mixed new tracks in with the old and if we didn’t like it then it was “just tough” according to Rebecca. Luckily the unfamiliar material was as solid as the old favourites, especially ‘Gold Mountain’, played as an encore to cheers played down by Charles who seemed confused at the response to an as yet unreleased track.

If there was any complaint it would be that at times the set felt rushed, as the nervous energy that ran through the performance kept things moving without pause for breath. The encore came after barely enough time to register more than a peek-a-boo as they darted off and back again, making it even more of a pointless ritual than usual. Hopefully Slow Club can continue to inject a bit of fun into their live performances as well as their recorded work, regardless of the size of venue they play, and the slight air of embarrassment at all the fuss won’t hamper any progression as their fan base continues to grow.

Words: Chris Gent

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 #31: All at Sea

Brian — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:00:45 +0000

This week Brian’s been completely and utterly unaffected by the volcanic ash cloud. He’s not even been subject to a light dusting, the lucky bird. He has, however, been following the news with avid interest and has concluded that all these silly bipeds should travel by boat for the time-being. He certainly would, were his means of transport not attached, rather helpfully, to his back.

In an attempt to encourage us all to take to the high seas, Brian’s put together a collection of rather marvellous songs about sailing. Here they are, in all their briny, shiver-me-timbers glory:

1. Mechanical Bride – See Worlds
2. Laura Marling – The Captain and the Hourglass
3. Jeremy Warmsley (& Emmy the Great) – The Boat Song
4. Camera Obscura – French Navy
5. Regina Spektor – Sailor Song
6. Neil Young – Sail Away
7. Jeffrey Lewis – Sea Song
8. The Decemberists – The Mariner’s Revenge Song
9. Laura Veirs – Ocean Night Song
10. Sons of Noel & Adrian – The Wreck is Not a Boat
11. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – The Ship Song
12. Erland and the Carnival – Arabian Sea

Grab it on Spotify here: Brian’s Mixtape #31: All at Sea

Tell Brian in the comment section below if he’s left out any corking sea shanties. His collection is far from exhaustive.

Our Spotify Inivtation amnesty continues – if you need one let us know and we’ll make a request of the ever-generous posse of FFS readers. Similarly, if you have any going spare let us know and we’ll give you the opportunity to do a good deed for a stranger, providing them with an lifetime’s supply of free music.

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

Owl Parliament 2010 line-up announced

Helen True — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:02:04 +0000

Last year, the first Owl Parliament was a wonder of a day: Mechanical Bride, Jeff Lewis, Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling were a few of the stellar acts who performed to a Union Chapel auditorium packed full of numb-bummed music fans.

Owl Parliament 2010 has now confirmed a line-up to rival last year’s, which will feature, among others, Aidan Moffat, Darren Hayman, Emmy The Great, Blue Roses, and Jeremy Warmsley.

The venue’s still the immense Union Chapel, which will be filled to the brims on 27th February with discerning musicistas of all ages (NO limits, which is nice).

From lunchtime until the dark hours of the night, a procession of brilliance will amaze and delight. Be sure to bring a cushion, a thermos, and snacks. Preparation is all.

Tickets are £26, which works out at something like £3 a band. That’s free maths right there. Get ‘em while they’re hot.

Words: Helen True

Jeremy Warmsley offers free EP, announces Heartbreak Ball

Helen True — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:14:50 +0000

Here’s a lovely early Christmas present for you; a 5-track EP from Father Christmas’s friendliest helper, Jeremy Warmsley. Not only is he offering four acoustic versions of his own (frankly astounding) songs, he’s also thrown in a pretty special Abba cover, as the icing on the cake. Lay your hands on these juicy wonders here.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Jeremy has also teamed up with the wonderful folk at End of The Road to plan another Heartbreak Ball next Valentines Day (which isn’t so terribly far away now, guys and gals).

The first heartbreak ball featured black heart balloons, Slow Club, Johnny Flynn, Gossamer Albatross, Stars of Sunday League, and copious quantities of cake, and this one’s sure to offer similarly well-chosen delights (which we’ll be letting you know about as soon as we do).

Tickets for this Valentine’s Day wonderday are £13, available here.

Words: Helen True

Jeremy Warmsley announces various projects and tour

Helen True — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:23:58 +0000

Jeremy Warmsley’s never been one to rest on his laurels, but the man’s really excelling himself in the next few months. Not only is he debuting his new band, Acres, Acres, this week at two London venues, producing lovely covers with the Little Words, and taking himself off to the Big Apple, he’s also putting together a tour for October. Fwooft.

First things first: Warmsley’s latest project, Acres, Acres (also previously known as the Cold Sweats) are playing their debut gig at the Lexington on Wednesday 19th August. Also performing are Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, an intriguing-sounding “11 piece psyche-hearted sunshine-pop band”. Tickets available here. Warmsley’s band will then play White Heat at Madame Jojo’s alongside Three Trapped Tigers (tickets here) on Thursday 20th.

Jeremy has also announced the grand opening of the Little Words MySpace page. This band is yet another side project and various line-ups have included Euan of Stars of Sunday League and Euan Hinshelwood (a.k.a. Young Husband). This discerning collective have so far covered the songs of the Magnetic Fields, Tom Waits and Daniel Johnstone, and the recordings are well worth a listen.

Warmsley will also play his first NYC gig at Pianos on 23rd September, before jetting back for the Transgressive 5th year anniversary party at the Union Chapel on the 26th with fellow musical wonders Johnny Flynn and Mechanical Bride. Tickets are unlikely to last long for that one. As ever, a busy, busy man.

Words: Helen True

Live Review: Stars of Sunday League EP Launch @ The Luminaire, London

Lynn Roberts — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:23:52 +0000

The folkstars were out in force on Monday night for the Stars of Sunday League‘s launch of EP ‘The Boy’s Got Prospects’.

First up were I Said Yes, who came from all over the UK to play just two tracks. FFS has been looking forward to hearing them for some time. And – despite having to switch around parts thanks to a singer with no voice – they didn’t disappoint. I Said Yes play lovely and rousing folk pop with accordion and violin. Check them out.

Next came Jay Jay Pistolet-lookalike Semaphore, Younghusband – whose lyrics can fair tell a story – and Planet Earth, whose songs invite inexorable comparisons with Young and Lost Club label mates Noah and the Whale.

Olly the Octopus, who is a strong contender for the tallest and most manly man in folk, played an politically-charged track on a battered guitar which implored “Now is the time to bring the music back to life”.

What a treat Little Words are. The covers band featuring Hugo Sheppard, Jeremy Warmsley and SOSL’s Euan Robinson played four stunning Magnetic Fields songs from the album 69 Love Songs (if you don’t have it, buy it). Their close harmonies on The Book Of Love were just beautiful.

Broadcast 2000 got to play an extended set, thanks to the non appearance of the headliners-but-one “Meat Three Gym“. Joe Steer – whose songs have been used to soundtrack many a TV advert – played with the fullest band this reviewer has seen yet and it truly is a kinetic and exciting live show. The glockenspiel player began the set by playing the walls before bashing the hell out of his poor glock with such precision he looks like he’s clockwork.

Headliners Stars of Sunday League played perfect renditions of frontman Euan Robinson’s delicate folk songs. Euan, who seemed genuinely surprised by the turn-out, had his soft Edinburgh burr and acoustic guitar joined on backing vocals and viola by Sarah Triggs and the accordion and harmonium from Max Jones.

SOSL’s lyrics are sometimes political – there’s a song about now well-known gay 70s politician Harvey Milk – sometimes personal – such as his self depricating 101 Good Reasons to do Nothing – occasionally acerbic – ”I hate the way they laugh/the way their haircuts make amends for their faces” – but always thoughtful and accompanied by uncluttered arrangement and beautiful melodies. If this show was anything to go by, FFS can’t wait to hear the EP.

Words: Lynn Roberts

Photo: Anika Mottershaw

No show for Emmy as Stars of Sunday League launch EP

Lynn Roberts — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:42:18 +0000

Emmy the Great‘s much hinted at appearance at the Stars of Sunday League EP launch show last night was not to be.

Stars of Sunday League’s Euan Robinson put on the show in conjunction with Platforms to launch his debut EP The Boy’s Got Prospects. And he used his contacts to create a stellar line-up of big names and new finds. Euan said on the night: “I asked a lot of bands that I like, but I had no idea so many would say yes.”

Emmy, whose debut album First Love is nominated on our Schmercuries best album short list, was billed for a 15 minute slot using the anagram Meat Three Gym and hinted at in mailouts and on blogs.

But Emmy told FFS she had “no idea” she had been put on the bill, and explained she is currently on holiday in Edinburgh — curiously, where Stars of Sunday League’s frontman originally hails from.

She said Euan Hinshelwood from her band who played a set at the gig under his moniker Younghusband was the “official band spokesperson” on the night, although he made no mention of Emmy’s non-appearance during his set.

Stars of Sunday League were joined at the Luminaire by Broadcast 2000, I Said Yes, Little Words – a covers band featuring Jeremy Warmsley, Olly the Octopus, Planet Earth, Semaphone and Younghusband.

See Anika’s blog for photos of the event.

Words: Lynn Roberts

To comment on this story visit our blog

Stars of Sunday League EP launch + VERY special guest rumours

Helen True — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:04:35 +0000

Stars of Sunday League are set to launch their debut EP, ‘The Boy’s Got Prospects’ this Monday (3rd August), and some pretty strong hints are flying around the internet, suggesting that the act billed as ‘A Special Secret Friend’ may be none other than Emmy the Great.

The latest mail-out from Broadcast 2000 offers this suggestive nugget:

“I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but i suppose i can tell you that our host for the evening has recently been touring in the wonderful EMMY THE GREAT’s band (www.myspace.com/emmythegreat). You do the math.”

So, we can be in no doubt that The Luminaire will be positively glowing with wonderfulness. Assembled musical performers will be as follows:

Stars of Sunday League
Broadcast 2000
Little Words (ft. Jeremy Warmsley)
A Special Secret Friend
Younghusband
Semaphore
I Said Yes
Olly The Octopus

The exquisite work of this lovely duo couldn’t enjoy a better setting for their EP launch. FFS can’t think of a more pleasant way to start the week.

Tickets are £5 here.

Words: Helen True

Johnny Flynn: Flowerpot gig tomorrow, new EP, summer dates + album news

Lynn Roberts — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:54:46 +0000

We’re delighted to say that Johnny Flynn is to play at the Flowerpot on Kentish Town Road tomorrow (25th June), before he heads over to Hyde Park on Friday to support Neil Young, as you do.

For those who’ve not heard us evangelising about it yet, the Flowerpot is a rather lovely “musical drinking establishment”. All shows are free entry and doors open at 5pm on weekdays. It’s first-come-first-served – we recommend getting there by 8pm to guarantee entry. Johnny will be joined by the folks from Transgressive Records – home to Iron and Wine, Mechanical Bride, Jeremy Warmsley as well as Mr Flynn – on the decks.

Johnny has announced that he will be debuting a new band line-up at a series of gigs and festivals over the summer. FFS highly recommends you join us, Johnny and the Communion boys at Bloom, which promises to be a corker. There’s a UK tour lined up for the Autumn, with dates to be announced shortly, and a special Transgressive 5th Anniversary show at the Union Chapel on 26th Sept, which is shaping up to have a rather lovely line-up. More info here.

Dates:
27 Jun Hard Rock Calling Festival, London (with Neil Young)
28 Jun Glastonbury Festival – Queens Head (Q Acoustic Sessions, Sunday, 16:50)
7 Aug Edmonton Folk Festival, Canada
16 Aug Bloom Festival, Gloucestershire (Solo Show)
23 Sep Open House Festival, Belfast (with Noah & The Whale)
24 Sep Arthurs Day / Guinness 250, Dublin (Two Shows, Venues TBC)
21 Oct Canterbury Festival (Solo Show, ‘Canterbury Club’)

Words: Lynn Roberts

For Folk's Sake » Jeremy Warmsley

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