Fans of sixties folkie Donovan have been given advance warning to catch his live show while they can before he retires from performing in 2010. The veteran folk singer will undertake a farewell tour over 2009 and 2010 (precise dates have not yet been announced), with a new album ’Ritual Groove’ also expected at some point next year.
Jeff Lewis endorses Obama
by Lynn Roberts •
Jeff Lewis has made an illustrated biography of Barack Obama. The anti-folk hero has created one of his sketchbook ‘films’ detailing the presidential candidate’s life and career.
Slow Club announce surprise London gig
by Lynn Roberts •
Charming Sheffield duo Slow Club are bringing their storming live show to Urban Outfitters near Oxford Street on October 15, according to a last minute message posted on their MySpace page today.
Peggy Sue, Alessi and Derek Meins tour
by Lynn Roberts •
FFS favourites Peggy Sue will be joined on their UK headline tour by fellow folksters Alessi and Derek Meins.
Update: Emmy’s track is single-of-the-week
by Lynn Roberts •
London anti-folkster Emmy the Great’s latest single has been selected as the Record of the Week on indie-spotting Radio 2 evening show the Radcliffe and Maconie Show.
Noah and the Whale cancel Mystery Jets support slot
by Lynn Roberts •
Noah and the Whale were forced to cancel their support slot with The Mystery Jets because Charlie Fink was in hospital with throat problems.
John Darnielle puts Mountain Goats EP online for download
by Lynn Roberts •
The nicest man in alt-folk, Mountain Goats frontman John Darnielle, has posted the band’s new EP online for download, with the option, but no obligation to donate to his humble cause.
Emmy the Great to play Rough Trade instore
by Lynn Roberts •
After a prolonged quiet period the wheels have started to turn in the world of Emma Lee Moss, adding to her three date mini tour she has announced a Rough Trade instore on 13th November.
Bowerbirds cancel most of North American tour
by Lynn Roberts •
The Bowerbirds have cancelled 27 out of 29 North American live appearances.
The band were due to start the tour with headliners Calexico on 5th November.
Au Revoir Simone’s Bird of Music remixed, covered by Slow Club
by Lynn Roberts •
A remixed version of New York keyboardists Au Revoir Simone’s debut LP The Bird of Music will be released on November 11th.
The new album, entitled Reverse Migration, features a cover of The Lucky One by For Folk’s Sake darlings Slow Club alongside remixes by Jean-Benoît Dunckel of Air and Keith Murray from We Are Scientists. It will be released by Au Revoir Simone’s own label: Our Secret Recording Company.
The Research are back! Album news and live dates
by Lynn Roberts •
Casio keyboard-wielding Wakefield trio The Research are back with their second album and a UK tour after a lengthy hiatus.
After the success of their debut album Breaking Up, the band went on to record its follow-up, but were plagued with record label politics. Having split from EMI last year, they are back with new offering The Old Terminal. The album will be released on 27th October.
Kimya angered by Carla Bruni’s Moldy Peaches cover
by Lynn Roberts •
Alt-folk goddess Kimya Dawson has expressed her reservations about the first lady of France’s cover of Moldy Peaches song Anyone Else But You.
Mumford pal Meins releases single, tours
by Lynn Roberts •
Friend of Mumford and Sons, Derek Meins, is to release his track ‘Oh! You Pretty Woman’ on 13th October. The single, which features Mumford and Sons as a backing band, will be available as a download only, and can be heard on Meins’ myspace.
Noah and the Whale, Laura Marling, Seasick Steve all up for Festival Awards
by Lynn Roberts •
Cast your votes for the Whale boys, Lazzle Mazzle and Steve-o, as well as the brilliant End Of The Road festival, in this year’s Festival Awards.
Seasick Steve plays to sell out Albert Hall crowd
by Lynn Roberts •
Within a month of the Last Night of the Proms, the Royal Albert Hall played host to an altogether different musical treat on Thursday night as travelling bluesman Seasick Steve played to a sell out audience.
Mumford and Sons back in Blighty, new EP on horizon
by Lynn Roberts •
Mumford and Sons return from their debut tour of the US for a string of UK dates ahead of the release of new EP, Love Your Ground.
Peggy Sue release latest set of monthly demos
by Lynn Roberts •
Limited 100-copy run of September demo CD released, plus the band tour the UK with singer-songwriter Jeremy Warmsley.