TwickFolk - The Cabbage Patch Pub, 67 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SZ www.twickfolk.co.uk
25th June 2023
Alex Seel
Alex Seel is a singer-songwriter and guitarist with roots in folk & blues. We last saw him in February 2020, and we look forward to welcoming back to the stage. Music has led Alex from Devon to London to Ireland and back to London again. Through his wanderings, Alex has picked up a beautifully crafted rootsy song-writing style with thought-provoking lyrics and a gift for acoustic guitar finger-picking. He has a growing reputation as a solo performer. His most recent release is the album ‘Spell On A Tin Drum’. This and previous releases have been well received by press and radio. The album, written partly in a caravan on the west coast of Ireland and mostly recorded in London, has retained a raw emotional feel and with it gained new heights of songwriting within Seel’s unique repertoire.
Pip Collings
Pip Collings and Paul Vile have been performing together since the late 80s. Paul is no stranger to TwickFolk audiences – our longest-serving volunteer is also the sound engineer, floor-spotter and until recently was the M.C, not to mention his gigs with John Prosser. Pip has appeared on the TwickFolk stage a few times, the most recent being with Paul at our 40th Anniversary bash.
This renewed activity coincides with a new album – Diaries released in March this year.
Welcome to the All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2) with Natalie and Alban Low. Our aim is to track down a vinyl record from all 60+ African countries, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and everywhere in between. Each week we feature 5 countries. This week it is Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya and Madagascar, where we track down the 'Nightingale of Libya' and the golden voice of Liberia who was crowned a princess. This programme is part of the A World in London family of radio programmes. Listen to the 1st series on SOAS Radio.
Tracklist 1) Bana Luo Succes - Sule 2) The Maseru and Holtse Methodist Choir - Tlong Thaka 3) Princess Fatu Gayflor - E La Lokpeh 4) Khaled Said - Tawali 5) Rossy - Raha Manina Any
Next week we share vinyl records from Madeira, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, and Mauritius.
14th June 2023 The Pheasantry (Pizza Express Chelsea)
to explore (vol. 1)’ is the debut album from London-based trio, ‘Aspyrian’, featuring long-standing friends and collaborators Robin Porter on tenor and soprano saxophone, Jack Gillen on guitar and Matt Parkinson on drums. The album title is the translation of the band name – an old English word – and reflects the band’s approach to playing and creating music together. Whilst this particular ensemble only formed in 2021, the relationship that binds these three musicians has been nurtured in a range of other musical contexts since they met at Leeds Conservatoire over ten years ago. The result is a shared musical language that allows the trio to interact on a profound level.
All seven tracks on the album are original compositions – three written by Robin and four by Matt – which collectively exhibit a broad range of styles. Make no mistake however, this album has a cohesive sound that is enchantingly original, devoid of clichés and true to the band’s shared experiences.
This debut album from the band – whilst still paying homage to a growing tradition of sax, guitar, and drums line-up – is a bold and individual record that firmly places the band’s sound in the present day. ‘Aspyrian’ are immensely grateful and honoured to have been awarded the Help Musicians UK Record/Release Fund in 2022, which has not only supported the recording/manufacturing costs but also provided valuable business advice sessions to help the group better understand the release process.
Welcome to the All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2) with Natalie and Alban Low. Our aim is to track down a vinyl record from all 60+ African countries, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and everywhere in between. Each week we feature 5 countries, this week it is Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Strap yourself in for episode 5, we fly through Africa with full G force. Encountering the Imps of Gabon, the guitarist with diamond fingers from Guinea, and the Gambia musician who lived in Germany. This programme is part of the A World in London family of radio programmes. Listen to the 1st series on SOAS Radio.
Listen to episode 5 - https://www.mixcloud.com/AlbanLow/all-vinyl-a-to-z-of-africa-season-2-ep5-gabon-to-guinea-bissau/
1) Les Diablotins - Dingona 2) Bubacar Jammeh - Nteletata Kuriji Katila 3) Mustapha Tettey Addy - Ewe Atsimivu 4) Bembeya Jazz National - N'Temenna 5) Alexandre Francisco Diaphra - Todo O Fado É Vadio
Next week we share vinyl music from Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya and Madagascar.
Sun Cutter released his eponymous debut album in January 2022 on Bronzerat Records. The first single ‘Daylight Star’ found love on BBC 6 Music with Marc Riley, Mark Radcliffe, Tom Robinson, on Absolute Radio, and US radio. The album went on to chart in the top 20 in Germany.
Sun Cutter, real name Kevin Pearce, hails from Colchester. Three years ago, Kevin suffered a heart attack (on a golf course). As well as having to redress some lifestyle habits, his rehabilitation involved writing and recording the Sun Cutter project. It is an album of beautiful driving, harmony-drenched indie-soul and folk-rock that looks to the light for reflection. It is at times reminiscent of some purveyors of classic songwriting, such as Tim Buckley, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, albeit with a modern do over.
The Salts Brian Doran Lee Collinson Jeremy Hart Richard Nash Tim Cantrell
TwickFolk - The Cabbage Patch Pub, 67 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SZ www.twickfolk.co.uk
11th June 2023
The Salts are a co-operative of seasoned musicians, creating what is fast becoming one of the most exciting and energetic folk concepts of recent times. With their own unique sound that mixes well written original compositions alongside classic traditional tunes, it’s a guaranteed blast. Their debut album ‘She Rises’ and now their second album ‘BRAVE’ are receiving rave reviews across the board.
Lee Collinson
From the earliest age Lee Collinson has been blessed with fingers capable of guitar-playing beyond mere mortals! Reaching the BBC ‘Young Folk’ finals – twice, touring in a trio with Keith Hancock and Clive Gregson, and forging a successful solo career with his eclectic repertoire comprising folk in all of its forms. His albums, co-produced by Dave Swan, feature guest appearances from the likes of Christine Collister, Barb Jungr and Tom McConville and his career has taken him all over the world. The Salts has given Lee the opportunity to perform in a band environment and transfer his guitar skills to the 5 string banjo…an exciting departure!
Brian Doran
Born in landlocked Croydon, Surrey, Brian Doran formed his first vocal group at the age of ten. He taught himself guitar when he was 11, began songwriting and went on to study flute, voice and music theory. He even considered opera. Brian’s first band was formed at school and morphed many times into different styles and resulted in playing several of London’s top music venues and recording studios. Having already worked with Lee in the folk duo The Richard IIIs, he took little convincing to join what eventually became The Salts.
Jeremy Hart
Writing and performing for the past 20 years, Jeremy Hart has led numerous bands into battle on the London circuit, around the country and to residencies and headline spots in Europe. Supporting the likes of ex-Beatle Pete Best and playing alongside 6o’s legend Arthur Brown, Jeremy’s influences are numerous guitar-driven songwriters. However the call of the sea beckoned and compels him to lend a contemporary ear to some of our oldest and best loved shanties…
Richard Nash
Born in South London, Richard Nash took a keen interest in drumming at the age of 14. After performing in various school bands he went to art college and joined many bands of varying styles. Richard is also a self-taught guitarist, songwriter and has fronted several bands including The Story So Far. Richard has also played drums for acts such as Thunderclap Newman, Paul King, The Pasedenas and Hoorah! Boys Hoorah! His other accomplishments include recording sessions for film tracks in LA and TV music.
Tim Cantrell
From a long line of a family renowned for classical music, Tim Cantrell changed tack and set sights for different styles of music. Playing bass in a variety of genres for many years now, recording on several albums, TV adverts, touring in venues and stadiums in the UK and across Europe – touring with the likes of Ben E King, George McRae , Katrina & the Waves, Paul Heaton, Gus Devlin and now happily for him – The Salts!
Welcome to the All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2) with Natalie and Alban Low. Our aim is to track down a vinyl record from all 60+ African countries, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and everywhere in between. Each week we feature 5 countries, this week it is Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea and Ethiopia. This week we meet the Egyptian singer who composed the Libyan national anthem, the Godfather of Eritrean music, and the "Aretha Franklin of Ethiopia". This programme is part of the A World in London family of radio programmes. Listen to the 1st series on SOAS Radio.
Tracklist Chant prophétique avant le combat - Dancalis de Obock Jabal Ettaoubad - Mohamed Abdel Wahab Linda - Bessoso Barih Getsa - Bereket Mengistab Min Bedelkut Minew - Bezunesh Bekele
Next week we share vinyl music from Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Floor spots Pip Collings & Paul Vile Holly Rose Thomas
TwickFolk - The Cabbage Patch Pub, 67 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SZ www.twickfolk.co.uk
4th June 2023
Sam Kelly & Jamie Francis are no strangers to TwickFolk audiences. Sam brought his trio to the Cabbage Patch in January of 2015 and as a duo they returned in January 2017. In the intervening period, Sam was presented with the Horizon Award at the 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Pip Collings & Paul Vile
As a young child hailing from the depths of Norfolk, Sam’s only link to folk music lay in the Gaelic folk songs that his Irish grandfather taught him. Although many individual songs and tunes have been lost in the blur of childhood memory, Sam has never lost his love for the beautiful sounds of traditional music, and this passion pours out of him in every note he sings. The EP ‘Spokes’ landed Sam a nomination in the Best Singer category at the 2015 Spiral Earth Awards, and his debut album (The Lost Boys) was released the same year, to great acclaim. It received a four-star review in R2 magazine and was included in the Daily Telegraph list of best folk albums of 2015.
Holly Rose Thomas
Jamie Francis (on banjo, guitar and backing vocals) met Sam when they were studying music and playing at open mics in Brighton. Jamie fronts his own alt-blues trio called Stark and brings his own varied musical influences to bear on the songs he writes with Sam. He is building a reputation as a formidable banjo player.
Welcome to the All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2) with Natalie and Alban Low. Our aim is to track down a vinyl record from all 60+ African countries, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and everywhere in between. Each week we feature 5 countries, this week it is Ceuta, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire and Democratic Republic of the Congo. We dive deep to find the Pearl of the Mediterranean, and feature the man who invented the Wamy dance in the 1970s. This programme is part of the A World in London family of radio programmes. Listen to the 1st series on SOAS Radio.
Tracklist Quisiera Ser - Cary Del Cobre Bazaka - Pulo NDJ N'Dami Nawé - Gam-Gam & The Goma Tsabibi Kehinneu - Anoman Brouh Felix Ata Na Yebi - Orchestre O. K. Jazz
Next week on episode 4 we visit Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
