Tag Archives: Folk

Nehedar, The Warming House | Music News

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Band/Artist: Nehedar
Location: New York City
Styles: Folk, Rock, Americana, Pop, Punk, Electropop
Similar to/RIYL: Patti Smith, St Vincent, Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey
CD: The Warming House
Release date: Aug 13, 2014Accolades:  Mother Jones Reader Choice Picks for 2011, My Roommate Is An @$$clown Video Screened at Libelula Animation Festival in Spain, Performing Finalist at We R Indie Songwriting Competition 2011Members/Instruments: Emilia Cataldo: Vocals and Guitar, Craig Levy: Bass, Drums, Synth, Craig Judelman: Violin, Jennifer Harder: Trumpet, Michael Hitchcock: Guest Vocals

Production: Craig Levy at Little Pioneer Cider House in Brooklyn NY

Nehedar

Bio:

Nehedar is the project of NYC-based singer/songwriter Emilia Cataldo, who is releasing her 7th independent album “The Warming House” on Aug 13.

On the new record, Nehedar continues to blend her antifolk-rock style with other unexpected sounds and genres, only this time with a deeper Americana influence. The result, is mesmerizing.

The Warming House – which is the artist’s first crowd funded album and was recorded in Brooklyn with producer Little Pioneer (Craig Levy) – takes listeners on a journey spanning down-home fiddling to majestic horn parts to electronic beats, from angry punk to upbeat pop to sad folk to playful country tunes to feminist anthems.

While blending and shifting between genres has always been part of the music of Nehedar, The Warming House represents a true crystallization of her all-embracing, diverse musical style. It is the artist at her most mature and fully developed stage.

Cataldo began performing her original music in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and NYC’s Lower East Side in 2003, and the anti-folk influences from those early years still shows.

She released her first album “Pick Your Battles” in 2007, and has released one album per year, every year since.

To gain a deeper understanding of Nehedar, one needs to understand her eclectic background.

The child of free-spirited, nomadic musicians, Cataldo grew up exposed to a wide variety of cultural and musical influences – treasures she has drawn from to create her richly layered recordings that have always been best described as original.

Her father is a saxophone playing Nuyorican (Puerto Rican New Yorker) jazzman. Her mother was a classically trained piano teacher who liked folk music. Together, they would shut themselves up in their room every night to practice while their six young children ran wild.

The music of Nehedar reflects Cataldo’s fascinating journey through life From the Latin influenced environment where she helped her father run his liquor store as a girl in Miami, to a troubling adolescence in the fascinating midwestern town of Zion, Illinois (which she draws from in The Warming House’s nostalgic title track).

Cataldo left Zion at 17, and traveled with the Rainbow Family of Living Light, where she began learning about her mystical Jewish heritage. That led to her taking on the name Nehedar (which means “wondrous” in hebrew) for her and her band, and Jewish mysticism continues to infuse her work.

Newcastle’s Kosoti to Release Bark and Sticks

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Kosoti are a six piece alt folk/indie pop group based in the North East of England, UK.


After a near death experience in 2013, lead singer and songwriter Allan Hyslop realised he needed to treasure every moment of his life by doing what he loved most, writing and performing music. 
 
Once the band had formed they travelled a long way very quickly. After only six months they released ‘War’ and ‘Pirouettes’, a double ‘A’ sided digital single and video, before releasing the beautiful ‘Cradle’ EP, with its lush, homemade video complimenting the feeling of the title track perfectly.  Both releases brought Kosoti critical acclaim and word spread, ensuring the band performed their debut show at Sage Gateshead Hall Two to a sell out audience.Kosoti
Having already performed sessions for BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Metro Radio in their short career, their new single ‘Bark and Sticks’ is eagerly awaited by fans and media outlets alike.
 
‘Bark and Sticks’ boasts the beautiful vocal harmonies that are quickly becoming Kosoti’s trademark, with an infectious up-tempo melody that will no doubt draw comparisons to The Magic Numbers and Damien Rice.

 

 

Stephanie Manns Come Closer Album Review

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Stephanie MannsMy first thought on Stephanie Manns album is how cool the actual CD is; it is designed like a vinyl record. Pretty cool. Next up is how upbeat and happy the album is. Starting with the optimistic and happy ‘Follow You’, singer/songwriter Stephanie Manns has made a truly impressive debut album. She has a beautiful voice and a talent for songwriting. She writes wonderfully heartfelt lyrics.

Country, Americana and folk artist inspired; the use of guitar and ukulele really adds to the (mostly) upbeat tracks. The album is 10 tracks long and there is not even one dud song. An accomplished debut. Impressive.

“Without a doubt, Stephanie Manns is a singersongwriter with the raw talent, and sure promise of future success.” – Maverick Magazine

 

“Anthemic Americana… Catchy guitar and pristine vocals.” – Diva Magazine

 

Stunning Debut Album from Glasgow Based Singer-Songwriter Stephanie Manns

Multi-talented singer-songwriter Stephanie Manns has released her debut album Come Closer – a positively beautiful collection of original songs from the UK’s most exciting new country, Americana and folk artist.

 

From the heartfelt and optimistic tones of opening track “Follow You” to the genuinely moving missive “The Way You Want Me To” and the melancholic yet hopeful “All Over”, Come Closer is an accomplished album of exquisitely performed songs, infused with inclusive and attractive melodies, which also deeply captivates the listener through Manns’ heartwarmingly sincere lyrics.

Refining her skills on the Scottish acoustic music scene, Stephanie has supported Blues Legend Joan Armatrading, Ultravox’s Midge Ure, alt-country troubadours Ahab and Brit award winner Emeli Sandé. It was during this time that Stephanie was discovered by national arts organisation Creative Scotland, who strongly supported her cause, helping Stephanie to fund the album as an independent artist.

Manns’ songwriting has been heavily influenced by Tift Merritt, Madison Violet and Patti Griffin, which is apparent throughout the album and serves to enhance the body of work as a whole. Come Closer illuminates Manns as a brilliantly gifted artist, who writes charmingly enjoyable songs that have the ability to move a diverse array of music lovers.

 

Come Closer is available to buy on iTunes

 

www.stephaniemanns.com/

 

https://en-gb.facebook.com/Stephaniemannsmusic

 

https://twitter.com/StephanieManns

 

Ólöf Arnalds, St John on Bethnal Green | Live Music Review

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I’ve been to a lot of strange places on a Tuesday evening but church in Bethnal Green wasn’t previously on that list. I say strange because at first glance going to a gig in a church is a slightly odd thing to do but in reality it couldn’t be a more perfect space to watch some lovely Icelandic folk. The place is by no means full but judging by the reaction of those gathered as Ólöf bounds onto the stage, along with longtime collaborator Skúli Sverrisson, they’re ready and willing to be blown away.
From the off they, and the venue, didn’t disappoint – the sound being carried around to great and beautiful effect – opener “German Fields” with it’s back and forth “You know I care. Why I see you, all the way through” sends the hairs on the back of one’s neck into a mohawk.
The show being in support of her third album, Sudden Elevation, and her first sung wholly in English, the songs from the record don’t so much disappoint but it’s the older songs, sung in her mother tongue, that really stand out. For all I know she could simply be reading out loud the back of a tin of paint or the terms and conditions for a 2 for 1 pizza voucher but it sure as hell sounds beautiful. Achingly beautiful.
Maybe that’ll be her downfall in terms of taking things to a much bigger level of fandom; that we in Britain don’t go mad for chaps singing in foreign tongues and it’s those older, foreign-tongued tunes of Ólöf’s that are the ones that stand her out from the pack.
Between songs the chatter is laced with nothing but enthusiasm – you can tell there’s nowhere else she’d rather be and that if the audience weren’t there she’d still happily be playing her songs with Skúli to anyone who’d listen. And to be honest, there’s nowhere else this audience would rather have been tonight. Simply marvellous.

Launch Party For Russian Week in London 2013

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The Russian Week in London, Festival Maslenitsa

Richard Barnes and Natalia Vodianova

 

Frost went along to the amazing restaurant Mari Vanna to celebrate the opening of the Maslenitsa Festival, Russia’s cultural welcome to spring and celebration of pancakes. We greatly enjoyed the canapes and the drinks, including vodka infused strawberry juice. We enjoyed the presentation and talks about the up-coming Russian festival and were told to ‘drink in moderation’ by Boris Johnson. All in all, we had a great time and will be popping down to the Russian Festival. See you there.

 

The Russian Week in London, Festival Maslenitsa

FREE entry, 13:30–18:30, Saturday 16 March 2013
Trafalgar Square, London, UK

Zdravstvuj! (Hello!) What better way to welcome spring and banish winter than Maslenitsa, the Russian Sun
Festival. This Shrovetide feast before Lent is celebrated the world over with traditional Russian arts and
culture events and, of course, delicious Russian cuisine – including the iconic and delectable blini (pancake).

Organised by Ensemble Productions, London’s Maslenitsa festival has the backing of the Mayor of London
and Natalia Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation as official charity partner, and is the largest Russian
celebration of culture, art, music and food outside of Russia. The free event returns for its fifth year on
Saturday 16 March in Trafalgar Square from 13:30-18:30. Coinciding with Maslenitsa celebrations across
Russia, a live satellite link will allow audiences to share in the authentic festival atmosphere and exchange
cultural dialogue as well as highlight important links between the UK and Russia, with a particular emphasis
on the Olympic years of London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

Boris Johnson

Comments the Mayor of London Boris Johnson:

“I am delighted to give my backing to London’s Maslenitsa celebrations, a sure sign that spring is on its way. London has a large Russian population and this popular event is an opportunity to become immersed in the rich traditions and heritage of that great country. It also offers a taster ahead of Sochi 2014, which is now just a year away and I am sure will be a huge success. Int he meantime, whether you try a delicious blini, pirogi or chebureki, to our friends in Moscow and Russians everywhere have a fantastic Maslenitsa! Maslenitsa gulyaet – vesnu vstrechaet, zimu provoshaet!*”

The popular festival features a variety of activities for all ages including musical performances by Russia’s
leading musical talent, a children’s marquee with songs, competitions and games, and a bustling bazaar
organised by the Russian National Arts and Crafts organisation, with original Russian art, handicrafts and
souvenirs for sale.

Maslenitsa is also known as Pancake Week and there will be plenty of authentic Russian dishes to sample. In
addition to blini there will be other traditional staples such as beef stroganoff and borscht (beetroot soup)
as well as delicacies such as pelmeni (Russian-style pasta).

Maslenitsa 2013 will include, among others, a special visit by Eurovision Contest 2012 stars the Buranovskie
Babushki (Singing Grannies); performances by celebrated folk diva Nadezhda Babkina with her
contemporary take on traditional Russian sounds; young folk group Rodnaya Storonka who cover multiple
genres; the legendary State Academic Ensemble Berezka; the award-winning and innovative Bis-Quit
Quartet; charismatic and much-loved soul Russian artist Petr Nalich accompanied by his band; national
treasure Oleg Gazmanov and one of the most famous Russian rock bands of all time, Smyslovye Galuzinazii.

The festival comes at the culmination of the Russian Maslenitsa Week which includes satellite events across
the city of London. These include the exhibition Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the
Russian Tsars at the V&A, a culinary evening at Russian restaurant Mari Vanna, a Russia Literary Evening at
Waterstones and a performance by the vivacious Theatre Praktika. This year’s Maslenitsa festival will also see
the first winner of the Maslenitsa Prize for Song and Dance take to stage to entertain the crowds at
Trafalgar Square.

“Due to high interest from the public, the Maslenitsa Festival remains an extremely important cultural event
not just in the UK, but in Europe,” comments Olga Balakleets of Ensemble Productions. “Each year the
festival grows, allowing more and more people to learn about the modern face of Russian culture as well as
its rich cultural heritage.”

Maslenitsa also serves as a platform that fosters business and cultural links between the UK and Russia.
Commented Vitaly Nesis, CEO of Polymetal International, one of Maslenitsa’s event sponsors:

“We are delighted to be supporting the Maslenitsa Festival in London and providing the opportunity for more
people in the United Kingdom to see and experience a range of exciting Russian culture and social events.
As a company that has most of its operations in Russia and many of its shareholders in UK, we are keen to
see the relationship between the two nations prosper backed by thriving business and cultural cooperation.”
Added Dmitry Mints, Chairman of the Management Board of fellow sponsors, O1 Properties, “The
Maslenitsa festival offers audiences in the UK the unique chance to take part in this ancient Russian tradition,
and O1 properties is happy to support this cheerful event.”

A special VIP Gala Dinner will take place on 15 March at the Royal Courts of Justice. Tickets are available for
purchase from Ensemble Productions.

Russian Week in London, Festival Maslenitsa: Line Up

Tuesday 12 March
Culinary Evening
Mari Vanna
Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, foodies have the chance to sample some of Russia’s spectacular
culinary delicacies, with a special menu curated by celebrity chef Alexander Rappoport.

Wednesday 13 March
Russian Literary Evening
Waterstones, Piccadilly
Book and culture lovers unite in Piccadilly’s iconic bookshop to immerse themselves in the English versions
of Russian best sellers, including a special theatrical performance.

Thursday 14 March
Craft Fair
Russian Culture Centre (Rossotrudnichestvo)
The Kensington High Street-based culture centre will host two sessions – a master class and children’s class
– to introduce DIY lovers to authentic Russian crafts.

Friday 15 March
Talk and tour of Treasures of the Royal Courts
V&A
Art and history fans can explore over 150 objects from Henry VIII to the early Romanovs, including royal
portraits, jewellery and luxury goods, as well as processional armour and heraldry, chronicling the close
relationship between the English monarchy and the Russian Tsars.

Saturday 16 March
Maslenitsa Festival
Trafalgar Square
A day of pancakes, music, art and live performances, this free fun-filled family day brings together people
from all walks of life in a celebration of the coming of spring and the wonderful cultural offerings of Russia.

Sunday 17 March
Edward Boyakov’s Theatre Praktika
Duke of York Theatre
Praktika’s mission is to reflect modern reality in all its complexity and address questions that are of burning
importance to contemporary society – hold onto your hats for the company’s iconic new theatre style and
vibrant energy.

Further information on venue details and event timings will be announced in due course. Updates, along
with a list of performances to take place on the main stage are available on the Maslenitsa Festival website
http://maslenitsa.co.uk/

For more information or to book tickets, call +44 (0) 20 8832 7424

The Russian Week in London, Festival Maslenitsa

Trafalgar Square, London
13:30–18:30
Free
Dates: 11 March 2013 – 17 March 2013

Naked Heart Foundation

Mayor of London, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Embassy of
the Russian Federation in London, Federal Agency Rossotrudnichestvo, Russky Mir Foundation,
Polymetal International, ICT Group, O1 Properties, Lycamobile

About the Naked Heart Foundation

It was the Beslan school siege in 2004 that motivated international model Natalia Vodianova to set up the Naked Heart Foundation. Desperate to do something to help, she had a simple idea – if the young survivors could be distracted by play for at least five minutes each day, it would help them to heal. Providing them with safe outdoor play facilities would redefine their city landscape and act as a form of therapy. The Naked Heart Foundation was set up in the same year, and in 2006 it completed its first play park, five minutes from where Vodianova grew up in Nizhny Novgorod. In 2009, 40 play parks and 30 Russian cities later, Vodianova had fulfilled her dream of giving the children of Beslan their very own Naked Heart play park. To date the charity has built 90 play parks and playgrounds and is now creating a network of family support centres to care for families raising children with disabilities. It also provides funding for dozens of Russian NGOs working in the field and holds an annual international Forum for child development specialists. In 2013 it will open its 100th site. For more information visit www.nakedheart.org or www.facebook.com/NHFcharity

 

BURANOVSKIE BABUSHKI (SINGING GRANNIES)

Buranovskie Babushki visit The Russian Week in London,

Festival Maslenitsa, 14 & 15 March

Translated as ‘The Grannies from Buranovo’ – or better known to us as the ‘Singing Grannies’ – Buranovskie
Babushki is an ethno-pop band comprising eight elderly, yet sprightly, women. After finishing second in the
2012 Eurovision Song Contest for Russia, the Grannies became an Internet sensation with more than 30,000
hits in less than a week. They will be visiting London in support of the Festival Maslenitsa and will be
attending the British Russian Gala on 15 March at the Royal Courts of Justice as part of the Maslenitsa Week.

The Grannies sing in their native Udmurt, and often surprise audiences by singing covers of Tsoi,
Grebenshchikov and The Beatles. The grannies are currently using their Eurovision money to help rebuild a
local church from their home town Buranovo.

Festival Maslenitsa: FREE entry, 13:30–18:30, Saturday 16 March 2013
Trafalgar Square, London, UK

 

Festival supported by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
Official charity partner, Naked Heart Foundation, founded by model Natalia Vodianova
Free entry, family-oriented day of fun and special children’s marquee
Live satellite link between Moscow’s Red Square and London’s Trafalgar Square during festival
Bazaar featuring Russian culinary delicacies and traditional arts and crafts
Tickets to VIP gala reception available through organisers Ensemble Productions
Week of events preceding Maslenitsa Festival includes a literary salon at Waterstones and Russian
delicacies at Mari Vanna restaurant in Knightsbridge

Maia – Zuma Aluma | Music Review

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Folkers Maia have been working hard over the last few years gigging to anybody that will have them. Their Duran Duran-gone-folk sound is as infectious as a yawn, but they’re never likely to raise one from you, and this new single is likely to gain them even more followers. Watch the video here – it’s genius in that it was shot and edited entirely using iPhones and IPads.

‘Zuma Aluma’ is released on 25th June 2012 by Vandal Records

Links:

Facebook page

Official website

Matt Norris & The Moon – This Kingdom EP | Music Review

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Matt Norris & The Moon formed back in 2009 from the ashes of various other bands, having met at various open mic nights on the burgeoning Edinburgh folk scene. The band have spent the last couple of years honing their sound, played some pretty big support slots (including the mighty Primal Scream) and gained plenty of attention from both the press and radio stations.

This four song EP is sure to gain them even more followers. The release begins with ‘Roots Below’ which begins with strum-strum campfire guitars with solemn trumpeting over the top before building to a rousing folk-pop chorus with a trumpet hook catchier than an STI on a holiday to Magaluf.

‘Eyes of a Storm’ is a more laid-back number, begins with the campfire guitars and really stays there, adding accordian to create a warmer, oakier folk sound. ‘Shadow from the Sun’ has a more urgent pop sound with a nice bit of flute joining the party, sounding like a band driven by something. ‘The Shallows’ wraps things up nicely with more campfire strumming, value-added stings with a five party harmony of detuned opera singing (opera music’s just vowels, right?).

 

 

On the evidence of this EP MN&TM are a band to watch. Their sound is an enchanting mix of big hooks and bigger harmonies coupled with an impressive array of instruments. For fans of Fleet Foxes, First Aid Kit and Mumford & Sons this is a band for you. Watch them explode.

 

‘This Kingdom EP’ is released on 17th May via 17 Seconds Records

Links:

17 Seconds Records

Matt Norris & The Moon Twitter

Matt Norris & The Moon Facebook

Matt Norris & The Moon Website