Wednesday 6 February 2013

Anna Lena & The Orchids EP Launch w/ Hella Better Dancer + Sarah Johns Music Party @ The Sebright Arms, Bethnal Green




Folie à Deux and Pull Up the Roots are very proud to present Anna Lena and The Orchids brand new EP Launch at The Sebright Arms this 8th March with support from Hella Better Dancer. 

TICKETS are £5 adv or £6 on the door.
Sebright Arms
 31-35 Coate Street, E2 9AG
7.30pm


'I'm very excited about the new EP. I already have a favourite song.' - Tom Ravenscroft, 6 Music, 2012

'Bouncing between the silken quality of a high order pianist and a woman influenced into a murderous rage' - DrunkenWerewolf, 2012

'Anna Lena and her Orchids have managed to craft their very own brand of dark, atmospheric indie-pop, which is somewhere between The National and St. Vincent. ‘View of My Sanity’ perfectly exemplifies the fragility and beauty of frontwoman Anna Lena and the power of a simple heartfelt pop song.' - The 405, 2012

'She’s someone I’ve had my beady eye on for a while… I’m kind of in love with this… its gorgeous.' - Ruth Barnes, The Other Woman, Amazing Radio, 2012

Anna Lena’s haunting vocals have been described by UK press as ‘beautifully unique’ and ‘ethereal’ with her lyrics showing experience beyond her years. After touring the UK, Anna Lena and The Orchids have just finished a highly successful tour in Norway. 

The band draws influences from St.Vincent, Grizzly Bear, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Bjork and Ane Brun. Whilst similarities can be observed between The Orchids and the above acts, the bands mixture of Scandinavian folk, alternative rock and ambient musical styles, create a uniquely dark and beautiful sound.

Their new EP features ‘View Of My Sanity’, the single that turned the heads of fans and critics alike in October 2012, exciting the likes of Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6 Music), The 405, Amazing Radio, P3 (Norway’s biggest music station) and many more. 

The music industry are excited by this EP release and so they should be.



'This Camden quartet is rapidly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.' - The Roundhouse

'..the HBD kids are getting ready to take London, Great Britain and the Universe by storm {..} with some serene and affecting melodies entwined with crisp riffs & beats and all taking place in a sparse, echo filled expanse..' - Matt Simmonds, SGTMT

'A real breath of fresh air with an easy, mid-tempo jangle pop sound augmented by some nice guitar work. Hella Better Dancer is a band you'll want to root for' – Mike Tylor, The Big Beat

Hella Better Dancer are a female fronted London/Brighton based 4 piece who play spacey indie rock with ambient melodies and gnarly distorted guitars.

Following their debut EP Please Stay Here, Hella Better Dancer has returned with fiery guitars, concrete dance-drums and nu-folk sensibility on  Swimming. Described by Lauren Laverne as a "young PJ Harvey," HBD’s intelligent, brooding and emphatic songs are attracting an ever-growing fanbase. HBD were accepted to BBC Introducing’s Musicians Masterclass which supports unsigned, undiscovered music headed by key industry people (Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens).

They've released two EPs through independent record label Roundhouse Records and received both national and American radio play, most notably on BBC Radio 6 and KEXP.

They've played at venues such as Rough Trade East, The Roundhouse, Birthdays, and The Lock Tavern and at events such as The Big Chill, Leefest, Underage Festival, Turning Point Festival and most recently at the London Paralympic Games.







'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


Sarah Johns Music Party is 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 utilises a loop pedal to layer her wide-ranging vocals and creative percussion.

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.

In the last year Sarah Johns has supported the likes of Mariee Sioux, Kate Tempest, Melodica, Melody and Me, Maia, Wolf Alice and Liam Bailey. This year she will be releasing her debut EP 'Blossom Tree' (Psychic Healing Network Records.)




Wednesday 21 November 2012

Nick Edward Harris Album Launch 'Chimera' w/ Emma Gatrill & Hannah Moulette (of The Moulettes)


We are proud to present Nick Edward Harris's Album Launch taking place on the 15th December with support from Emma Gatrill and Hannah 'Moulette' (chief of The Moulettes) at The Gallery Cafe (21 Old Ford Road, E2 9PJ, Bethnal Green). With free mulled wine on entry it will be a very cosy and christmassy affair!

Nick Edward Harris 

Nick Edward Harris is a progressive acoustic guitar player, singer and songwriter. Inspired by musicians such as Andy McKee, John Smith, Jack Rose and Tommy Emmanuel, he combines delicate finger-picking and percussive guitar playing with distinctive lyrical storytelling.

Having recorded an E.P. in 2010 with Ben Lovett (Communion Records, Mumford and Sons) he has now finished his debut album 'Chimera' which featureS unique collaborations with Emma Gatrill (Sons of Noel and Adrian, Laish and Mariners Children), Ted Dwane (Mumford and Sons) and Ash GardNer (Emperor Yes)

In September 2011, Nick moved from London to the remote parts of New Zealand's south island to prepare the material for This debut album. He spent six months intensely writing and practicing, taking inspiration from his experiences on the road, busking on the streets and the country's dramatic and isolating surroundings. By February he was ready to go into the studio.

With the help of writer, producer and friend Nick Trepka, 'Chimera' was recorded over a few long Winter nights in the basement of an old Victorian dog biscuit factory in East London, House of Strange, which has been home to the likes of Mumford and Sons, Ash, Noah and the Whale, and Emmy the Great. 

The songs were recorded simply and naturally, to sound as they do when played live, featuring intricate harp accompaniment with cello and double bass. Chimera features eleven magnetic and unique songs written about love, squirrels, the devil and traveling.

He then spent the summer playing UK festivals, mastering the album and this Autumn has been supporting the sci-fi pop folk band Maia on their UK Tour. 

This December 15th he officially releases ‘Chimera’ and celebrates at The Gallery Café, Bethnal Green, with support from Emma Gatrill and Hannah Miller (of the Moulettes). 


Emma Gatrill 


Just releasing her debut album ‘Chapter One’, Emma Gatrill combines intricate harp playing with powerful vocals that soar above her classic songwriting, oweing a debt to Bjork and Joni Mitchell as well as her friends and co-conspirators Rachael Dadd and Alessi’s Ark.

An unstoppable and multi-instrumental collaborator, Emma is also a full time musician with the multi-tentacled psych-folk behemoth Sons of Noel and Adrian and The Mariner’s Children as well as lending her voice, clarinet or accordion skills to everyone from Laura Marling, Willy Mason and to Broken Social Scene.

With her debut shows under her belt – Her album launch (supported by Rozi Plain), a standout performance at the prestigious Willkommen Foxtrot festival, as well as touring with Rachael Dadd on her recent European tour and Sons of Noel and Adrian UK Tour, Emma has this year finally given the world her own music. And it is completely worth the wait.

Listen to her stunning album here: http://emmagatrill.bandcamp.com/

 Hannah ‘Moulette’ (of The Moulettes)


“This delicious music is played with acoustic virtuosity…Complex and beautiful…Intriguing and unique” **** MOJO

“The best music I heard [at Latitude] was by Moulettes…” The Independent

Hannah Miller of the Moulettes - cello, guitar, vocals - will be playing a solo set at Nick Edward Harris’s Album Launch. 

An idiosyncratic brand of modern folk music, The Moulettes have enthralled crowds at many festivals, including Larmer Tree, Glastonbury, Big Session and Latitude. Playing with/ recording with the likes of Mumford & Sons, Seasick Steve, John Paul Jones, Paloma Faith, Bonobo and Paul Heaton of The Beautiful South. Ex-Moulette Ted Dwane, now of Mumford & Sons returned to the fold in summer 2011 to help record the band’s second album, The Bear’s Revenge, out now and garnering excellent reviews from the likes of The Guardian, FT amongst others. It is accompanied by the amazing single Sing Unto Me which you can see hear here:


Come and check out Hannah 'Moulette' play here exclusively!

Buy your advance tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/195120


Wednesday 3 October 2012

Woodpecker Wooliams + Abi Wade + Jack Cheshire @ The Old Queens Head, 14th November 2012




Folie a Deux and Pull Up The Roots are very proud to announce Woodpecker Wooliams + Jack Cheshire + Emma Gatrill @ The Old Queens Head on Wednesday the 14th of November.

Buy your £5 Early Bird tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/pulluptheroots/event/188665

- - - - -  Woodpecker Wooliams - - - - - 

"An expert exercise in control and restraint… Musically and emotionally, it’s belting." – BBC Music


“Hi ho, hi ho, into the dark we go – with a singer who sounds like a homicidal Disney heroine, singing songs of violence and desire" – Guardian, Band of The Day


“the album, is nothing less than otherworldly and undoubtedly brilliant.” - Drunkenwerewolf


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

The excitement and reviews surrounding that of Woodpecker Wooliams and her freshly released album ‘The Bird School of Being Human’ and with her new single ‘Sparrow’ receiving daily plays and praise form 6Music DJs, makes one feel that WW doesn’t even need an introduction - she is simply, nothing like you have ever heard before. So who is she?


Woodpecker Wooliams is a resident of Brighton, a keeper of bees, all round naturophile and lover of Russian Dolls. Originally comprised of vocals and harp, the odd bell, chime and whistle, she now encompasses 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.

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.

Read a gorgeous review and stream her master-piece album here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/p8m5

- - - - - Jack Cheshire - - - - -


"....exquisite melancholy song writing in the finest traditions of mildly psychedelic, quintessentially English, stoner folk.” - The Sunday Telegraph


“With his breathy Ian McCulloch-style croon…a burnished psychedelia creeps into the mix and takes this music to the skies.” – Uncut


"one of those rare finds... its lo-fi intensity is reminiscent of one the greatest records of the '70s singer songwriter genre, Nick Drake's 'Five Leaves Left'. – God is in the Tv 

Jack Cheshire combines sweetly-slurred melodies, kaleidoscopic finger-picking and intricately-layered musicbox psychedelia with shuffling drums, double bass, celestial harmonies and an uncompromising sound and vision that sweep from micro to macro, from introspection to constellation. The results have invited comparisons with Syd Barratt's, Arthur Lee, Radiohead and Beck, and led to supports with the likes of Josh T Pearson, Roddy Woomble, Polly Paulusma and Kris Dreve

Listen to his fantastic new album here: http://www.jackcheshire.com/

- - - - - Abi Wade - - - - -



Abi Wade, the Brighton-based cellist/percussionist who has been compared to the esteemed likes of Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor, will release her new AA single 'Heavy Heart' / 'Faker' on 5th November. She was recently handpicked by Patrick Wolf to accompany him as support on his tour of the UK and Europe (full dates below), has played shows with Jesca Hoop and O Emperor, and stunned audiences with an appearance at End Of The Road festival.

Abi Wade (cello.box.voice): a musical collaboration between limbs, strings and vocal chords. Her music is seamlessly sewn together, each beat, melody and bass line exactly in its place, to create songs that pull the heart strings and a performance that will beguile and intrigue. The cello, uniquely utilised, was the backbone to the four songs that comprise her 'And Blood And Air EP' – a set that strikes the listener with a singular blow, soft but undeniably affecting. Carved with a uniquely tailored blade, it is hard to liken her to any former artist, but similarities have been drawn to the independently distinct Arthur Russell, Joanna Newsom and Kate Bush. New single, the double A-side 'Heavy Heart' / 'Faker' is an incredible leap forward, revealing a beating pop heart beneath the inventive yet minimalist arrangements.

Check out her new Single here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cfaFhcVevzQ




Wednesday 15 August 2012

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

Thursday 2 August 2012

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 --- 


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 ----


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 ----


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 ----


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.'








Wednesday 27 June 2012

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

Wednesday 14 December 2011

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.