Linda Wilks on Warming up for the Folkstock Festival

Hertford Corn Exchange, Sept 6th

On Friday 6th September, just over 2 weeks away from Folkstock Acoustic Festival and Family Fete, the Folkstock Arts Foundation held a warm-up event – as a practice-run for the big gig! As well as giving out (for FREE) these amazing cupcakes, made by Jan’s Cakes, the event attracted a great crowd – including one of the ‘community gain’ researchers, using Folkstock as a case study.

RESEARCH PARTNER LINDA WILKS WRITES:

What a lovely atmosphere at the Folkstock Festival warm-up event held at the Hertford Corn Exchange last Friday. It was great to be able to see some of the acts which will also be on at the festival on the 21^st. All of the performances were excellent and I came away with a Said the Maiden CD which I’ve been enjoying listening to since then – the fiddle playing was a major draw for me and I love the quirky songs and harmonised vocals.

I also took the chance to persuade lots of people to fill in a questionnaire about their Folkstock experiences so far – many thanks to those of you who were kind enough to do this on the night (and also to the online people). Ever since Helen called in at the Uni of Herts, where I used to work, and told us about the festival she was setting up, I’ve been keeping in touch with developments. I’ve carried out research at festivals and gigs before, so I know how rich and interesting they can be as places to do research. I was also really keen to work with Helen to collect data which will help her to review how Folkstock is going. I’ll be writing up the findings for Helen with my consultancy hat on, as well as putting together an article for an academic journal with my researcher hat on, too.

The questionnaire survey is exploring the messages which people are receiving about Folkstock. It’s asking things like how people heard about it, and also trying to find out whether people are getting the impression that the Folkstock ethos is being achieved. There’s space for people to add extra comments too and a couple of those stood out to me: “I think this is going to be an amazing event and the start of something very special”, and “So far all the Folkstock events have been really enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the main event!”. The survey is also running online – there’s been a link from the Folkstock Facebook page for the last few days. If you have a connection to Folkstock and you’d like to fill in a questionnaire yourself, we’d be really pleased to hear from you. You can click this link to fill it in https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Folkstock_survey – it’s all anonymous. We’ll also be giving out the questionnaires at the festival too. The more feedback we can get the better!

Finally, a comment from one of the online questionnaires is a nice one to finish with, and after Friday’s gig I can see why someone put this: “Such a huge line up of talented musicians of all ages. I do not think the like will ever be repeated as I am sure some of these acts will be mainstream very soon.”

Enjoy the festival – not long now!

Dr. Linda Wilks

Research Partner, Verlamion Cultural Impact Analysis and Visiting Research Fellow, The Open University

You can find some of my other research here (including my 300-page PhD thesis in case you’re having a sleepless night!) http://independent.academia.edu/LindaWilks

 

A fabulous weekend for folk

Folkstock artists have been busy, as usual, this weekend. The Folk, Garry Smith, Daisy Mae Lewis, Zoe Phillips, Kaitlyn Sings, The Tritones and Nick and The Sun Machine were entertaining fans at Wilkestock Festival, whilst Daria Kulesh and her band KARA were kicking off Saturday night’s Live Music Project at Trestle Arts Base.

Folkstock Managing Director Helen Meissner spent the weekend at Wilkestock, taking amazing photos of the performances, as usual – which I’ve put a sample of here. It looks like it was a blast!

Garry Smith

The Tritones

The Folk

Nick and The Sun Machine

Zoe Phillips

A little bird also told me that Simon Hadwin (the drummer of Nick and the Sun Machine, whom I meet at the Marketing Matters event) impressed the crowds with an impromptu spot on the acoustic stage to fill in for an artist who had to cancel – nice one!

I, on the other hand, headed over to Trestle Arts Base, to see KARA’s folk performances with a Russian twist. Daria Kulesh was the first Folkstock act I ever encountered, having met her at the St Albans Film Festival, so I definitely wanted to see her joined by her band on stage.

This was my first experience of hearing a hammered dulcimer instrument being played, and it certainly added another dimension to KARA’s musical sound.

Four bands played in total last night: KARA, Starseedz, Broken Boat and The Neverists. It was great to see the space at the arts base being used so well, and lots of people enjoying the local talent that Herts seems so full of. The Neverists themselves summed it up with:

“The show we played last night was incredible, I have never felt a reaction from an audience like last night, people we’re dancing to our songs, we played the longest set we have ever played and really got to mix it up, with Jimmi leaving the drums to play harmonica.”

KARA

Broken Boat

I love finding new music, and hearing Broken Boat for the first time last night was a real treat. I’m looking forward to seeing the performances of other Folkstock artists at Trestle in the coming months, and discovering other local bands. Hopefully some of these guys will be heading along to Folkstock Festival in 3 weeks time, to give us a few impromptu performances at the ‘on the day sign up’ slots?!

Coming up at Trestle Arts Base:

Septemberfest – Folkstock and two three-day festivals

September is the month of the Hertfordshire Festivals. Three consecutive weekends (including this one) will see the likes of music festivals:
Wilkestock, Balstock and Folkstock bringing focus to the awesome talent that this area has to offer.

The three ‘stocks, which take place only a month on from the awesome Standon Calling, help to highlight the impressive music scene in Hertfordshire, and the community that it brings together.

This weekend: Friday 30th August to 1st September 2013

…tickets still available on the door!

Wilkestock offers FAMILY CAMPING, 100+ bands/dj’s across 4 stages and late night venues! all profits direct to Charity for the 8th year running.  4 STAGES & LATE NIGHT VENUES DISPLAYING THE BEST MUSIC AROUND – NEW AND OLD. *NEW ROCK UP AND RINSE STAGE*. 3 BARS. FREE SHOWERS! LOCKERS & PHONE CHARGING. LIVE GRAFFITI, PAINTBALL ARENA, SUMO SUITS and LOADS OF ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS THE WEEKEND.

NON COMMERCIAL & ALL PROCEEDS DIRECT TO CHARITY. AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, INTIMATE MUSIC FESTIVAL, NO £4.50 DRINKS HERE!

Mission:

Create a solid intimate music medley of quality bands and dj’s for all ears, whilst raising money and having a party time for Keswick Mountain Rescue & Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research

Company Overview:
In its 8th successful year….. 100+bands/dj’s across 4 stages, an epic weekend to be had with all profits going directly to Keswick Mountain Rescue & Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Dance tents pumping into the small hours with –

Blame
2 Bad Mice
Dj Law and Wheeler
Variations [Dub Police]
Mojo [Terrorhythm]
Bygore [Dub Police]
Ethic [Dub Police]
Swiss B2B Foul Matta [Stink Like Sock]
Venum [N:Era]
Teknition

Hosts – The Corporal / Shox / Overdoze

 

Next weekend: Friday 14th to Sunday 16th September 2013

 

Balstock Music Festival started 8 years ago, in the Engine pub garden, Baldock. From the 11 acts that graced the small petanque shed that day, none of them could’ve known that the very same festival would become Hertfordshire’s largest free music event not even a decade later!
Balstock 2013 is staying true to form by attempting to ‘out-shine’ all the previous years. Not only is every pub in Baldock taking part (bar the George IV just outside town) but also there are 2 Street Stages (including food & merchandise stalls, zorbing and a tug-o-war competition), a café hosting DJs and even bands in one of the tattooists.
Over the 13th, 14th and 15th of September, 150+ acts will be performing in 15 venues, all over Baldock town, including rock, pop, acoustic, soul, ska, blues, hip-hop, punk, folk, motown, reggae, metal, alternative and covers as well as DJ sets of all kinds and stand-up comedy courtesy of Lastminutecomedy.
Every single venue is FREE ENTRY and every single act performs for FREE, all in aid of the chosen charity which changes each year. Funds raised in Balstock 2013 will be split 60 % to the MS Trust and 40% to aid future Balstock events. So please put plenty of money in the collector’s buckets and buy plenty of Balstock Merchandise.

13 September at 18:00 until 15 September at 22:00. This year’s funding goes towards the MS trust and Balstock (split 60/40)

Venues are:
The Orange Tree, Baldock
The Engine
The High Street stage
London Road & Academy Of Music & Sound Stage
The Rose & Crown
The White Lion
The Hen & Chickens
The Boot Baldock
The White Hart, Baldock
The Brocken Drum
The Victoria
The Cock
The Old White Horse
Slack Alice’s tattooists
Taste Cafe

Third Weekend in September: Saturday 21st September 2013

…tickets still available – click here!

Folkstock has a mission to be a joyous fusion of many different strands of folk, with over 70 artists, half of which are from the local area, from award winning faves of this show such as Lucy Ward, Kris Drever, Reg Meuross, Luke Jackson and Josienne Clarke/ Ben Walker and Folk roots band The Willows, who have sessioned on Bob Harris, through to local artists who are being offered their first festival slots, and everything in between.

Four stages and an additional two performance areas are planned at this relaxed rustic event at beautiful Aldenham Country Park near Borehamwood, along side free, ‘sign up on the day songwriting’ workshops with Reg Meuross, open slots at Flaming June’s Troubadours, Morris Dancing with ‘join in’ scratch sides, festival feast food, local ales and ciders, arts and crafts stalls, childrens activities, milk shakes and soda bar, Ukulele workshops for all levels, and I am reliably informed that they have procured 24 ukuleles so if you ever fancied a go, now’s your chance ! The performers range from the local Under 10′s ceilidh group to 72 yr old Chuck Owston from Pennsylvania ! and they are delighted that this age range is reflected in the ticket sales so far!

Supporting Folkstock artists around St Albans

In the spirit of all things Folkstock, (and having just moved to St Albans earlier this month) – I’ve been throwing myself into the local music scene here in Hertfordshire and specifically the city of St Albans. Last Wednesday, Denise Parsons of the Trestle Arts Base invited to along to an open mic night run by one of the Folkstock Foundation artists – Nick Stephenson, of Nick and The Sun Machine – at The Boot pub, near the clock tower.

Alex Lilly and Jessica Hart performing at The Boot

What a great evening it was too! The Mid-Week Music Open Mic night showcased so many talented artists from the local music scene, with each performance consisting of 3 songs. Paul Littler, Tom Dibb, Alex Lilly, Jessica Hart, Lily Rose Fowler and headliners Sophie and Tim were the line up last week, and if next week follows suit, its bound to be awesome. The open mic night is on every Wednesday at The Boot.

Paul Littler performing at the open mic night

I loved how friendly and welcoming everyone at the event was, and a special thanks to Denise for talking the time to introduce me to everyone. I’d definitely recommend that acoustic music lovers check this out. I shall also be heading over to the (free) ‘Live Music Project’ at Trestle Arts Base next weekend (31st August) to see what Denise’s own community event is like – we’re lucky to have her supporting Folkstock Festival!

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Facebook offer for discounted musicians’ tickets!

As many of you know, Folkstock Festival will be offering ‘sign up on the day’ slots of 2 or 3 songs a time at the Flaming June’s Troubadours gazebo. Many of my Twitter followers have been asking if there is a possibility of playing at Folkstock, and at this stage in the planning, via the Flaming June’s Troubadours is certainly the best way to get involved.

To add to this, Folkstock has decided to launch an opportunity for musicians to receive discounted tickets with the view to perform an on the day slot. To find out how to be in with a chance of taking advantage of this offer, head to our Facebook Page. Good luck!

A Message from Managing Director Helen Meissner

You’ll be pleased to know that here at Folkstock we have got the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed in terms of the licensing and it’s full steam ahead.

For those who haven’t yet heard of Folkstock Festival,  I have decided to bite the bullet and do something really big for the many bands whom I and the Folkstock Arts Foundation are supporting on a voluntary basis. I’ve  been providing the mentoring and support I offered ‘The Folk’, to anyone who will have me ! and have now formalised it into a community interest company called Folkstock Arts Foundation. And I am putting on a festival next month – Folkstock on 21st September at Aldenham Country Park, north London near Borehamwood.

This is my first festival and I am fortunate to be working with Steve Smither as festival consultant and a quality team including Ross Sharples from Rossco, Martin Lumsden from Cream Room Sound Productions, Marina Florance respected award winning singer songwriter, Clare Hayes from The Junction and associated music projects, Daria Kulesh from Radio Dacorum’s Folk Show, Jess Distill from Said the Maiden, Aisling Austin / Chylde Owlett from Bedfordshire’s Folk scene and Lauren Deakin Davies from The Folk. I have also approached iconic folk fiddle player Dave Swarbrick from Fairport Convention and asked him if he would do us the honour of being Patron, which I am delighted to say he accepted.

I have a pet hate ( you might have the same one if you’ve ever put on an event) – that comment you hear once it’s too late to do anything about it ” oh if only I’d known, I would have come ! “. I am doing all I can to avoid hearing this about Folkstock.

Folkstock might be a one off, it might be the first of many, who knows ? but what I do know is that if it reaches capacity ( 5,000) in its first year or near offer, then the two charities / community interest companies to which all proceeds are going to be donated will be very happy. The proceeds are going to be divided equally between Cancer Research UK (no surprise there given my encounter with Breast Cancer exactly three years ago now) and Folkstock Arts Foundation, a not for profit, community interest company.

This is of course, in addition to providing these social benefits :

– a showcase for over 77 mostly independent unsigned acoustic folk and roots artists, – an opportunity for smaller local organisations/ special interest groups to promote themselves for free

– valuable media / journalistic experience for many students ( we are linking up with the new Elstree University Technical College and Da Vinci Studio in Letchworth as well as University of Hertfordshire Events Management);

– a focus for academic research into two key tenents underpinning the ethos of the foundation: Best practice for event management and safety planning ( Dr Allan Jepson)  plus Community reach, audience engagement and social gain from music festivals ( Dr Linda Wilks, Verlamium Consultancy ).

So we hope it will be something worthwhile from a fundraising point of view as well as a social perspective. Would you like to get involved or help me in some way ? I would REALLY appreciate it.

We have seven weeks to make a difference. All the ground work has been done over the last 5 months: artwork in place, license granted, websites built, social media in hand. Just need to sell tickets now. Click the image below for ticket prices and info…

They are available from the website. Prices are £25 for adult and go down from there, lots of concessions too.

Perhaps you could help me spread the word ? perhaps put a poster up at work ? add one to your social media ?  if you have any ideas about this which would not inconvenience you or take too much of your time, or would like me to send an promotional email which you could forward to a mailing list perhaps I could do that ? Or maybe you would like to offer a business / organisation / group to which you are affiliated, a special discount if there are a group of you who would like to come ? Maybe you know some people who like volunteering at festivals or you might like to join in yourself?

This is something I am financing myself at the moment, so any help from sponsorship/ services or goods in kind, in return for tickets perhaps, would help me break even quicker so the proceeds can be distributed.

The festival promises to be an ‘old fashioned’ and relaxed family day out, with the additional bonus of being a joyous fusion of many different strands of acoustic, folk and roots music, with over 70 artists, over four stages, half of which are from the local area. Ranging from BBC award winning artists and those who have performed live sessions on Bob Harris’s BBC Radio 2 shows, through to local artists who are being offered their first festival slots and everything in between. You may not have heard of many of them, although you will be left wondering why as they are so good! This festival will be a stepping stone for the many unsigned independent musicians and I am sure that most will go on to gain the recognition and boost they need to break into the national consciousness.

Respected champion of live music, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Sue Marchant has volunteered to MC the Main stage and FATEA Magazine’s Neil King is coming with a team to review the acts and provide a vital Media Liaison role on the day. We are really grateful for their support and that of many others without whom the event would not be possible.

There will be songwriting and ukulele workshops, real ale, busking slots, entertainments on the ‘ village green’, tea and cakes, sessions in the beer tent, local artisans, crafts, activities for children with a fete in the afternoon, festival feast food and fab music.

Ultimately, if we let enough people know, the tickets should sell as it’s a great, reasonably priced day out for the family, regardless of the superb music, in a lovely country park, and a heart warming way to end the festival season on the autumn equinox.

A BIT MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS WHICH MIGHT HELP YOU DECIDE IF YOU CAN / WANT TO GET INVOLVED/ SPREAD THE WORD

The Folkstock Arts Foundation is a new community interest company which provides a framework of marketing, mentoring and masterclass support that

acoustic bands can access.

Here are the links if you’d like to know more about the Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Folkstock-Arts-Foundation

and there’s a website for the Foundation:http://www.folkstockartsfoundation.com/

To find out more about Folkstock

Festival, please visit the website :

http://www.folkstockfestival.com/

and here is the facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/Folkstock

and you could also contact us on twitter https://twitter.com/Folkstock

I hope to hear from you, and thank you so much for reading this.

Yours,

Helen Meissner

Managing Director Folkstock Arts Foundation

Music and Lights – Musings and Images

Last weekend saw the third ‘Under The Stars’ workshop in the Folkstock series, followed by the usual performances round the campfire.

I have a confession to make. I was not able to attend this event, as my older brother Alton Wahlberg got married on the afternoon of the 20th July, and whilst Folkstock Foundation Acts were listening to good music and probably having a bit of a dance, so was I – to the sounds of the awesome Cupids Wish.

I had a good reason for missing the latest Folkstock workshop…

So, Folkstock’s ‘Music and Lights’ event kicked off from 6pm, beginning with three seminars for artists, given by Michelle Holding, Bonz Barnes and Martin Lumsden; those were: ‘Social Media Made Easy’ – for artists looking to promote themselves online, ‘Shooting on a Shoe String’ – about making music videos and ‘Studio Sessions – Right First Time’ – which is pretty self-explanatory.

 

Naturally for these such events, those in attendance moved from Church Farm, Ardeley to the camping grounds to finish the evening in the relaxing atmosphere created by the camp fire and all the additional guests that join for this section of the night.

Folkstock Festival Director Helen Meissner said; “Very enjoyable day and thank you to everyone who gave their time for this – KARA folk ( duo), Karl & The Prodigal Son, Kaitlyn, Josiah Handpan, Noel Cowley, The Tritones, Rob Finlay, Martin Lumsden (from Cream Room Sound Productions) and of course Michelle Holding and Bonz”.

“[It was] Lovely to see Zoë Wren joining us in the evening, and Peter Mayles, Rose Goodship and Steve Dagleish as well as everyone who performed in Hatfield’s Town Square and the Kaleidscope Hatifeld Short Film Festival [which Folkstock Foundation artists had played at earlier in the day,” Helen said.

Folkstock Stage at Standon Calling

In an exciting collaboration, on the final day of  Standon Calling Festival this year, Folkstock acts will be taking up the Lordship stage. Standon Calling is one of the biggest Hertfordshire-based festivals – it’s Facebook page alone has over ten and half thousand ‘Likes’ – and it’s running from 2nd to 4th August, making it exactly seven weeks ahead of Folkstock Arts Foundation’s own Folkstock Festival on the 21^st September.

Taking place in the grounds of a 16th century manor house in Standon village, 30 miles North of London, this year’s ‘Running Away From The Circus’ themed festival even includes a Big Top. The festival is designed to be like a ‘carnival of freedom’, with an actual on-site circus showcasing exciting circus acts by day and turning into a lively social scene at night with live bands and DJs. With its infamous Cowshed nightclub, Standon Calling has a bar license to 5am, so there’s no need for campers to retreat to their sleeping bags early!

“We’re keen to support interesting artists of all ilks, be they painters, sculptors, writers, actors, comedians or even chefs. A different theme takes over the event each year, reflected in the interactive theatre, art installations, set designs, and outrageous outfits our guests dream up” boasts the Standon Calling web page.

Aside from the Big Top and Cowshed nightclub, there are two stages of acts this year: the Main Stage and the Lordship stage, where Folkstock acts will be on the 4th. They also (rather awesomely) feature a swimming pool which festival-goers are encouraged to enjoy! Probably the best thing about Standon though? It’s kind of a big deal…

“You’re pretty much guaranteed to discover bands before most people have heard of them. Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires, Mumford and Sons, Bastille, Metronomy, Anna Calvi and The Noisettes all played Standon before enjoying the profiles they do today. Similarly, we’ve had The Maccabees, Mr Hudson, Glasvegas, Delphic and Paloma Faith.” 

So come show Folkstock some support and maybe discover the big bands and acts of tomorrow! The fifteen Folkstock acts performing on the Lordship stage will be:

• Boo Hewerdine
• Reg Meuross  
• The Willows
• Fred’s House
• The Folk        
• Nick and The Sun Machine
• Said The Maiden
• Flaming June      
• Roxanne De Bastion
• Indi forde
• Zoe Wren
• Interiors
• Rob Finlay
• Minnie Birch
• Noel Cowley

For tickets and more info click HERE.

Reg Meuross is an acclaimed acoustic ‘story teller’ of whom Mike Harding said, when introducing him at the Royal Albert Hall recently  “One of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced” and he went on to comment on Reg’s brand new album LEAVES & FEATHERS, which was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios and captures some of the warmth and intimacy of Reg’s live performances.  “I think this is stunning!”http://www.regmeuross.com/

The Willows are a folk roots family band from Cambridge, who have just completed a tour for their debut album’ Beneath our humble soil’ which included a rapturous session live on Bob Harris’s BBC 2 Radio Show. http://www.thewillowsband.co.uk

BOB HARRIS, BBC Radio 2: “…Absolutely gorgeous sound, a lovely album…”

MIKE HARDING, Mike Harding Folk Show: “They sort of straddle the worlds between Americana and English roots music and do it in a very very deft way for such a young band; I think they’re really really interesting! Bella’s Fury has got a sort of feeling of old timey noir about it… I think it’s really amazing!”

MAVERICK MAGAZINE: “…The Willows are a breath of fresh air to the folk music community…

Fred’s House “I like this band, they’ve got a great sound and some very fine harmonies. Fred’s House sounds like a nice place to be!” Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales . “That was a perfect song” Reg Meuross. Fred’s House are an alt folk four piece band who released their debut single last month, Fine Line and are attracting a lot of attention. “Finally, they release debut single Fine Life, which underlines their ability to deliver ear-pleasing songwriting built around sweet vocal harmonies and warm, breezy pop-folk hooks and gets the toes tapping in a way you could never have imagined.” **** Indie London  http://fredshousemusic.co.uk/

The Folk are three unsigned 17 yr olds who have already been in session and playlisted on BBC Three Counties and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, have had tracks played on Tom Robinson’s BBC 6 Music show, been playlisted on local 106Jack fm have released their debut single and two EPs and are about to release another EP in the summer. Hertfordshire Life ran a four page feature on the ambitious trio in March and their lively folk pop is winning them new fans at every gig. https://www.facebook.com/thefolkuk

Nick and the Sun Machine are an Alternative Folk/Rock band from St Albans who formed in March. The band have received critical acclaim emerged from the likes of Sound on Sound and R2 Magazine. They have appeared at celebrated British festivals such at Glastonbury and Secret Garden Party and last years Folk by the Oak. http://www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk/

Said the Maiden This new Hertfordshire all girl traditional folk trio are thoroughly enjoying their speedy rise in the world of super support roles, having played to 800 people at the Alban Arena when they supported Fishersmans’ Friends, they have recently released their debut EP Come Hither and it has been played on Mike Hardings’ Folk show.  http://saidthemaiden.blogspot.co.uk/

Flaming June are a fiery local three piece who wield fiddle, guitar and bongos with alactrity and passion. Voted best EP by Fatea in 2011and their recent EP has seen them supporting BBC 2 Folk award winner Bella Hardy in Suffolk. http://www.flamingjune.fourfour.com/

Indi Forde is an exciting guitarist and has the most incredibly powerful voice mixed with superb songwriting, usually with a band, he is performing for us solo which shows off his craftsmanship. https://www.facebook.com/indi.forde

Roxanne de Bastion. Has just released her debut album,  The Real thing to great review http://www.roxannedebastion.com/

Tom Whalley, BBC 6 Producer “…One of the most perfect voices I have ever heard!”

BBC Introducing: “If you ever get a chance to go see her live – definitely do!”

Barfly: “Funny and biting, sometimes angry missives on love and life in London, Riot Grrl Folk if you will… Amazing Voice”

Zoe Wren is a 17 year old singer songwriter who has already had a track included on the Folkroom Records Anthology collection. A gem of a songwriter, she also has the voice of an angel.

Rob Finlay http://www.robfinlay.co.uk

Adriana Rubio – “ Rob Finlay’s compositions have been originally created and brilliantly performed.  There’s no room for doubt that his musical influences have touched him deeply to become a passionate songwriter”. http://www.writeradrianarubio.blogspot.com.ar

 Tom Robinson – BBC 6 Music  Hertfordshire based Rob Finlay’s single Stone Dead and Rising proved popular with readers of my Fresh On The Net Blog and among listeners of our BBC Introducing Mixtape where I featured it the following week. This is a taut and vigorous track.  Call him a songwriter or call him a singer – both of which he patently is – but not a singer-songwriter. He’s so much better than that.

Keith Ames – The Musician – Musicians Union Publication: This track [Collections] is a fine example of his ability to weave unconventional elements into familiar genres.  His searching vocals call to mind Tim Buckley while he shows commercial potential during the chorus, in which his voice soars over a gorgeous chiming guitar lick.

Minnie Birch writes beautiful songs which she accompanies herself with guitar. Minnie was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to support Joan Armatrading at one of her tour dates last year, and has been performing live on BBC Three Counties Radio twice in the last two months and is in demand gigging all over the county https://www.facebook.com/minniebirch

Noel Cowley http://www.noelcowley.com

Chris Sheehan, Karamel Music “….honest, time honoured songwriting that lights little camp fires all over the space beneath your rib cage…..”

Reg Meuross: I really like Noel’s ‘ Hazy Summer Morning’ EP. His voice is lovely, modern, sweet and sincere. The songs are deceptive, seemingly just love songs but with interesting lines and creative rhymes”

 

Luke Jackon’s Song writing Inspirations

Eighteen year old nominee of two BBC Radio Folk awards, Luke Jackson, was on hand at the marketing matters seminar to share his song writing experiences and woo the audience with his flawless performances.

Although, nowadays, Luke can usually be found performing at large gigs, he said he was glad to have the opportunity to talk about his career so far and reflect on where his songs have come from.

Listening to Luke (I managed to sneak into this photo somehow!)

Like many artists starting out, Luke began with mostly performing covers. He would perform to audiences at every opportunity given. He recalls being 14 years old and performing in smoky pubs, where it’s possible that he was the only person there below the age of 50. “I tried to get my head in as many places as possible, all the open mic nights, etc. Back then I did pub gigs for a long time, but now I tend to avoid pub gigs – they love a cover, but I’m now picky because I want to perform my own stuff. But always start out with being everywhere!” he said.

Luke impresses the audience with his strong voice

It was great to see an artist with such charisma (and modesty); Luke had the whole room hooked on his every word as he chatted about his journey as an artist and joked about the days he would “travel from Canterbury to Birmingham to gig in front of three people – two of which would be talking, and one was [his] dad”.

He explained that at the start of his music career the social networking site MySpace was good for getting gigs, (where he would sell CDs for £3) but now social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are more about communication with fans then getting gigs and selling.

Inspired by acoustic great Richard Thompson OBE’s storytelling genius, Luke’s first album More Than Boys is about growing up – that’s where he is at in life, and he finds others can relate. He spoke of recording his album last year under Martyn Joseph’s record label – he wanted to make an album with a live feel and so using only a voice mic, a guitar mic and lots of takes, the album was cut in 4 days.

Performing for the Folkstock crowd

Luke sang seven songs in total to the select crowd in the room (it was like having our own private gig) six of which were his own, original songs (including the title track of his debut album More Than Boys) and one being a cover of John Hiatt’s Icy Blue Heart. These were interjected with funny anecdotes about Luke’s friends, tour experiences and fellow artists – and how these have influenced his song writing. It was easy to believe Luke’s admission that he favours gigs not by number in attendance, but audience response, as he comfortably made eye contact around the room as he sang.

“The way they come out is how they are meant to be, I don’t set the genre and I can’t tell himself ‘I will write a song today’ then go write it – they happen when they happen”

It was fascinating to learn about the experiences that inspired each of the songs Luke had written. From writing ‘Out of Time’ while standing in St David’s Hall in Cardiff waiting for his encore at the end of a 6-week tour with Martyn Joseph (during which he lived off of Cornish pasties and sausage rolls from service stations) – to stumbling across the melody for ‘Last Train’ during a sound check at a Cambridge gig (lyrics followed the next day while watching an old war film), Luke explained that he can’t force a song.

The session with Luke concluded with an audience Q&A. The things that stood out to me most over this were Luke’s thoughts on big labels and talent shows. Although he loves artists like Paolo Nutini and Ben Howard, and can see how a big label works for them as they continue to do their own thing, he admits that personally, he wouldn’t go mainstream if meant he had to compromise his own style. As far as X Factor type contests go? Luke wants to be around the music scene for a long time, and can’t see a sustainable career via TV talent shows.

Final thoughts from Luke

“In main stream everyone is wanting to get  to the number 1 spot, but in the folk and roots scene everyone wants to help each other. That was why the Young Folk Awards was such a great experience – I made such good friends.”

With that thought in mind as he graciously thanked Helen for inviting him to be there, I can see why Luke Jackson wanted to be involved with Folkstock from the beginning – and what a great person to have onboard!