Woodpecker Wooliams Album Launch @ Vortex, 7th September 2012, 8pm.

"Brighton's Gemma Williams enchanting solo masterpieces are laced with lo-fi murder folk and droning harps" - David Newbury / The Independent

"Assuming various personas to deliver her astonishingly dark, heartfelt, and resoundingly odd compositions, [Woodpecker  Wooliams] leaves much of the crowd crammed into the indoor, intimate second stage in stunned silence. You can guarantee you’ve never seen anything quite like it.” Subbacultcha

Folie a Deux & Robot Elephant Records are very excited to announce the album launch of Brighton's Woodpecker Wooliams at the Vortex in Dalston on 7th September. With support from Bronze Medallists and very special guests. There will also be DJ sets from Robot Elephant Records founders.

A resident of Brighton, a keeper of bees, all round naturophile and lover of Russian Dolls Woodpecker Wooliams aka Gemma Williams originally comprised of vocals and harp, the odd bell, chime and whistle has now more recently begun to encompass an altogether fuller, electronic, droney sound. With an unnerving sweet tremolo voice comparable to Joanna Newsom, live she is bold and fearless and delivers an alluring, understatedly dramatic set.

Her new single 'Sparrow' is currently getting daily plays on 6Music including from Steve Lamaq and Tom Raventscroft, you can check out the video premiered on The Line of Best Fit here. She will also appear on Uncuts CD cover for it's September issue.

What an extroadinary life Gemma has had! From being initiated onto a Shamanistic path when she was 20 years old, to delivering babies as an auxiliary maternity nurse, to living in Devon after recovering from a severe illness. It is these life experiences that led to the creation of Woodpecker Wooliams. Delving into beautiful and mesmerising folk she then found herself moving towards exploring “mental, horrible, distorted noise”, in an almost compulsive effort to bring some balance to her music. As a result she has now created something genuinely unique and awe inspiring.

Robot Elephant Records - an electronic label - will be releasing her debut album 'The Bird School of Being Human' on the 10th of September.

We look forward to celebrating with you on the 7th September at the Vortex!

Tickets are £5.50 and you can them here
RSVP to our Facebook event here

Trwbador + Geese + Wolf Alice + Sarah Johns Music Party @ The Old Queens Head, 26th July 2012

Folie à Deux are incredibly proud to present Trwbador + Wolf Alice + Geese + Sarah Johns Music Party are playing at the beautiful Old Queens Head in Angel on the 26th July.

Like mind-blowing vocals, mad violins, drums and beats? This is for you! A FREE night combining electronic-folk, experimental anti-folk and avant-garde pop it is going to be a night of breathtakingly beautiful and exciting sounds.

--- TRWBADOR --- 

https://www.facebook.com/trwbador

Trwbador are the wonderful electronic folk and 'avant-pop' duo from South Wales, described by Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1) as 'one of the most exciting bands in Wales' and celebrated by 6 Music DJ's Lauren Laverne and Marc Riley. Combining minimalist yet experimental vocals and beats they create a beautiful, unique and hypnotic sound. Check out their beautiful sounds here:

http://soundcloud.com/trwbador ('Sun in the Winter' being a personal favourite').

---- WOLF ALICE ----

https://www.facebook.com/wolfalicemusic

Wolf Alice, recently headlining Communion, are a 4-piece band who mix electronic music with folk - simple, stripped down lo-fi instrumentation - accompanied by beautifully pure vocals from lead singer Ellie Roswell. The band have been around for a while but it is with their latest EP 'Wolf Alice' that they have really focused their eclectic sound.

You can hear their beautiful new single 'Wednesday' here: http://wolfalice.bandcamp.com/track/wednesday

---- GEESE ----

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geese/123553270995093

Geese are like the remixes they've produced for Hot Chip, Jon Hopkins, James Yorkston and David Homes, constructed entirely from the sounds of cellos, violas, violins and drums. A huge epic sound live they supported Mariners Children and Rozi Plain last January and totally blew us away. 'The music can alternately sound as though you're looking out from on high and observing miles of beautiful wilderness… For its quality and uniqueness, and full gamut of emotions, Geese is something to hear.'

---- SARAH JOHNS MUSIC PARTY ----

www.sarahjohnsmusicparty.blogspot.com

Sarah Johns Music Party has this year supported the likes of Mariee Sioux, Maia and Liam Bailey.

Compared to the likes of Tune-Yards, Lykke Li and Camille for her raw and experimental approach to sound, unusual vocal arrangements and theatrical performances, Sarah's voice is soulful, sweet, yet enigmatic.

Accompanied by ritualistic drums and utilising a loop-pedal to layer her wide ranging vocals and percussion, she creates a sound that is pure, tribal, mesmerising and hypnotic. 'Calm yet theatrical, unusual and beautiful, lyrical yet melody-driven folk; with a Billie Holiday-esque twist to the use of her very flexible vocals. Unique.'

Maia + Melodica, Melody & Me + Sarah Johns Music Party at Gallery Cafe, 12 July 2012, 7 - 10.30pm

Folie à Deux are incredibly proud to announce the alt-folk and anti-folk bands Maia + Melodica, Melody and Me + Sarah Johns Music Party are to play at The Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green. A twinkle-lit, vegetarian, summery cafe that has been host to the likes of Rachael Dadd, Laura J. Martin and Sea of Bees this last year.

--- MAIA ---

“Youthful, spirited, richly atmospheric and intelligently off-centre alt-folk pop- Time Out 2012


Maia are a 4-piece alt- folk band from Huddlesfield who combine ukulele, cajon, trumpet, banko and mandolin to create an utterly exciting, foot-stomping and unique sound, wonderfully describing themselves as 'disco sci-fi folk pop.'

Based around a love of folk, Talking Heads and David Bowie, their style encompasses an eclectic mix of styles and song structures, with the element to emote and surprise in equal measure. 

Supporting the likes of Anais Mitchell and the Unthanks, they have also played at the Cambridge Folk Festival, No Direction Home, The Royal Festival Hall and optained regular residencies at the award winning Magpies Nest Collective and Folke Newington. This year sees them playing at the likes of TimeOut Sessions, Hop Farm Festival, Larmer Tree, Wilderness Festival and more. 

Their Alligator EP receieved radio play from the likes of Guy Garvey and Frank Skinner, and this year they are due to release their second breathtaking album and single Zuma Aluma – http://vimeo.com/38365807

Maia bestow a sound and vision that is remarkably mature, combined with a sense of adventure and infectious enthusiam for what they do that reflects their youthful spirit. Expect to hear much more from this gifted space quartet! 

www.maiatheband.com 

--- MELODICA, MELODY & ME ---

'They create songs that make you wanna cry and dance at the same time' - Observor 

Melodica, Melody and Me are a young music folk collective from South London. Whilst predominantly defined as folk their music also seamlessly marrys Latin America notation with African-inspired rhthym and reggae combined with traditional folk finger picking.

In the last three years, Melodica have performed before major crowds at Bestival, Camp Bestival, Secret Garden Party, Electric Picnic, Cambridge Folk Festival and Green Man, as well as toured with the likes of Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons, Bombay Bicyle Club and Johnny Flynn. And they did all this whilst balancing a full time education.

Last year saw them release singles 'Piece Me Together and 'Come Outside' both of which were celebrated on XFM, Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music, as well as NME, Sunday Times Culture and the Guardian. You can hear their new single 'Imperfect Time' and watch the accompanying beautiful video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZsmrzubA90&feature=player_embedded

Proving musical intellect and vision for the last few years, they have a solid UK fanbase, high profile press plaudits and youth still very much on their side, positioning them as one of the most exciting acts of 2012. 

https://www.facebook.com/mmmelodic

--- SARAH JOHNS MUSIC PARTY ---

'Calm yet theatrical, unusual and beautiful, lyrical yet melody-driven folk; with a Billie Holiday-esque twist to the use of her very flexible vocals. Unique.’ – Rich Mix, Brixton

Sarah Johns Music Party is both a band and an arts-music night, fronted by singer, songwriter, percussionist and guitarist Sarah Johns. With an entrancing voice and an honest and avant-garde approach to song writing, she carves her own unique path between the worlds of anti-folk and blues music.

Compared to the likes of Tune-Yards, Lykke Li and Camille for her raw and experimental approach to sound, unusual vocal arrangements and theatrical performances, Sarah’s voice is soulful, sweet, yet enigmatic. She is accompanied by ritualistic drums and harmonising back-up singers including artist Milly Blue - reminiscent of early gospel, with a far more edgy twist. 

This year Sarah has supported the likes of Mariee Sioux, Maia and Liam Bailey. 

Whilst inspired by blues and soul, Sarah’s sound is stripped back, pure and tribal – utilising the minimum of sounds and making the most of space to create the effect she wants – ‘a hypnotic and all-encompassing’ experience for the audience. When playing solo Sarah utilises a loop pedal layering her wide-ranging vocals and creative percussion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86qsmc016Iw

www.sarahjohnsmusicparty.blogspot.com

TICKETS can be purchased here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/173686

Folie à Deux & Sarah Johns Music Party Present... CHRISTMAS!

What an AMAZING NIGHT it was at Dalston Boys Club on 7 December 2011 featuring Alt-Folk acts: Emma Gatrill and Sarah Johns, Spoken Word Act: Ben Target & Tap Dancers - Christmas themed performance!  Please see below for all the details.

Surface Tension, 10 - 26 November 2011 at Tokarska Gallery

Naomi Doran - Untitled

What a tremendous success 'Surface Tension' was!! Featuring Naomi Doran, Tom Hackney, Onya McCausland and Giulia Ricci. Full details about the exhibition and of the artists individual practices below. Here are some of the Guest Book comments we were delighted to receive:

"Very, very nice exhibition"
"The exhibition title is expressive of the works that excites and disturbs. Good stuff."
"Mesmerising"
"Very intriguing work, very intricate, I love the texture of the concrete and nails."

Introducing Giulia Ricci - Included in 'Surface Tension' Our Upcoming Group Exhibition

jj

Giulia Ricci, Untitled, 2010 kkGiulia Ricci, Untitled, 2010

Introducing Onya McCausland - Included in 'Surface Tension' Our Upcoming Group Exhibition

Onya McCausland, Wall Painting, 2011 jjjhOnya McCausland, White Earth, 2010