Folie à Deux present Tristram, Laish & Kristin McClement - 26 February 2011

After the wonderful success of our last collaboration with Utrophia, we are proud to announce a series of Alternative-Folk music evenings to be held in Utrophia's cosy and intimate barn space. The first gig of 2011 begins 26 February from 19.00 - 23.00 with performances by some of the most exciting and experimental folk bands around: Laish (Willkommen Collective), Tristram (Broken Sounds) and Kristin McClement (Willkommen Collective). Once again the night will be a joyous evening with mulled wine, cider and beer! To read more about these exciting bands please see below.

Tristram are a four-piece London-based band comprising members from Peggy Sue and the Mariner's Children led by Tristram Bawtree. Whilst rooted in folk their sound incorporates more powerful and complex instrumentation inspired by their love of post rock and post punk bands such as Silver Mt Zion/Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Joy Division. Think the vocal tone of Nick Drake, with lyrics that take a side ways appoach to universal themes, underpinned by dramatic bursts of experimental arrangement incorporating guitar, cello, base, drums and harmonium. In Autumn 2010 Tristram released their EP 'Accidents and Artifices' on Broken Sound (Forest Fire, Peggy Sue and Rachael Dadd) receiving love from Pitchfork and a rave review in the Guardian's Band of the Day 'as good as anything we've heard this year'. Tristram are a rare kind in that possess a sense of old world drama and romance yet can speak to the contemporary world - a hypnotic mixture of the familiar and the unexpected 'buoyed by a rare grace' (Clash) - not to be missed. Watch them perform 'Rhyme and Reason' here.

http://www.myspace.com/tristramsongs

Laish (Willkommen Collective) are the Brighton-based five piece folk band, led by Daniel Green who - a multi-talented man - also plays drums for Sons of Noel & Adrian and occasionally lends to his talents to the likes of Laura Marling, Alessi's Ark and The Leisure Society. Laish play genuine, home-baked, DIY yet modern folk, instrumentally layering finger-

picking guitar with violin, melodica, rumbling bass, rattling drums with female vocals and harmonies (and occasional whistling). Green's lyrics - letters to friends and lovers or stories about imagined characters - are reflections of moments in time, refreshingly 'honest and soulful' (NME), melancholic,

inspiring, humorous and reassuring ('Some how it will all be okay' - Speak the Mantra) Laish have recently released their
self-titled debut album demonstrating 'pure musicianship most could only hope to accomplish' (Blue Walrus). 2010 saw them tour the UK and Europe, as well as support Grizzly Bear and Beach House at the Round House. This February they hit the road again for a joint-headline tour of the UK with Tristram. Utrophia is their only London stop. Watch them perform 'Happy Accident' here.

http://www.myspace.com/laishmusic

Kristin McClement (Willkommen Collective) are the Brighton-based three-piece led Kristin and with band members from Peggy Sue, Mariner's Children and Tristram (Becca Mears on cello and Tom Heathers on drums). Kristin in an enchanting wanderer with a nylon guitar at the heart of her songs, who sings of folklore and the curiosities of a wild and yearning world, accompanied by soaring cello and eclectic percussion. Her soft and spellbinding voice has been perfectly described as the 'aural equivalent of one of these remarkable slow motion films of a bird in flight.' Inspired by poetry (Dylan Thomas and Ted Hughes) as well as visual artists (Edvard Munch and Dan Eldon's journals) can perhaps explain why her lyrics are so emotionally and visually sensitive, beautiful, dramatic and mysterious, transporting the listeners minds and imaginations to new heights. Kristin has supported the likes of Alessi's Ark ('Her music is something so special') and various bands from the Willkommen Collective including Sons of Noel and Adrian, The Leisure Society and Pete Roe. Watch her perform 'Kestrel Kite' here.
http://www.myspace.com/kristinmcclement

Next door there will also be the opportunity to view the art exhibition Floorwork until 9pm displaying the work of Philippa Johnson who - focusing on surface and texture and highlighting the beauty of every day objects - will be transforming Utrophia's gallery space by weaving an intricately patterned rug out of adhesive tape.



Entry is £4. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Utrophia Project Space
136 Tanner's Hill, SE8 4QD
020 8691 8409