After their first London date sold out in under and hour Mumford and Sons have announced a second gig at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Tickets are available from the lads’ website
Author: Lynn Roberts
Lynn founded For Folk's Sake in 2008. Her favourite artists are Joni Mitchell, The Leisure Society and The Mountain Goats. She plays keyboards in Joe Innes & the Cavalcade.
Album: The O’s – We Are The O’s
There is something undeniably magical about the banjo. The way it gleams
when the light catches it, that slightly metallic, twangy sound it produces.
If you’re a fan of the instrument, then you’ll likely enjoy this
under-stated album, which never really goes anywhere special, but maybe
that’s the point.
Single: Slow Club – Trophy Room
Slow Club are amazing. Twin boy/girl vocals with sweet natured tones, their quirky British folk has made them one of the most exciting bands to emerge in recent years. Trophy Room, a standout song from debut Yeah So and the newest single is a beautiful example of why Slow Club deserve all the ravings they’re receiving.
EP: The Spinto Band – Slim & Slender
The new EP by The Spinto Band, Slim & Slender, is like a pack of wine gums, full of variety and flavour, and offering that one track that is more special than others, like the black gum people look eagerly for. In this case, ‘Jackhammer’ stands out over the others. It is the teaser of the pack, the happy-go-lucky tune that sends you swaying from side to side, with guitars on pinching mode and harmonies of vocals sliding downwards like cascades. It is a supreme melody, short and sweet, which makes you turn it on again like you would pop another wine gum into your mouth.
Live: Laura Marling @ St Pancras Old Church, 23rd Nov
Laura Marling walked on stage unnoticed at St Pancras Old Church on Monday night. There was a hush of silence as the crowd spotted an unfamiliar figure reaching out for the guitar and walking towards centre stage. Something wasn’t quite right.
“I have some explaining to do,” she said, leaning into the mic and waving her hand over her head. “About the colour of my hair,” she added and we all let out an awkward laugh. Laura Marling and her distinguished white/blonde hair were gone and instead a sophisticated brunette stood in her place.
Interview: The Miserable Rich
The Miserable Rich – yet another marvellous band from Brighton’s Willkommen Collective – have just released their brilliant Covers EP with new takes on songs by Iggy Pop and the Eurithmics. Frontman James de Malplaquet answered our questions.
Rediscovering Mumford and Sons
After months of bigging up one of FFS’s earliest interviewees, Mumford and Sons, I had my love for the West London foursome tested by a series of well-written but harsh reviews from the music press, some of which struck an…
Olly the Octopus Christmas Single
The manliest man in folk is to release a Christmas single which isn’t that Christmassy but does have a great video. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqz_i_AE8Ps]
Live: Andrew Davie of Cherbourg at Hoxton Bar and Grill
Davie’s headline slot at Hoxton Bar and Grill on Monday was a transition between Cherbourg and his new solo career. The six Cherbourg tracks he performed were in their original arrangements, which perhaps suggests that he doesn’t plan to take them any further.
An artist a day
Inspired by comedian Josie Long’s One Hundred Days project I will be listening to and reviewing one new band a day for 100 days from 1st December. It could be just from their myspace, or a single album or EP…