Tag: folk

Go West!

Featured by Lucy Simister, posted in Blog

SO this weekend was a tad busy – though I am not complaining!

Aboard the Golden Hind in Brixham
Aboard the Golden Hind in Brixham

We choose the life of itinerant folk musicians. It can be exhausting but it is so rewarding! This weekend we played a gig for a private party on board the fabulous Golden Hind in Brixham Devon and I dare say a good time was had by all! It’s true to say that it feels like a home from home for us – playing as we do lots of shanties and songs of

the sea alongside some more land bound folk music! We started the evening play ing through the PA but then took the music to the audience and lead them in dancing and hornpipes – as well as singing a few rowdy sea shanties – and a lovely bunch of people they were too, all too willing to join in and sing with gusto!

Cornwall Folk Festival

Then as soon as we’d struck the last note and sung the last syllable we heaved all the gear off the ship as if we were looting treasure and chucked into the stagecoach – well the car actually, and thundered down the lanes to Cornwall. The lanes being mostly the A38. It was about two hours drive from us, not a big drive in the scheme of things but after throwing ourselves into a gig I’d generallly prefer to retire with a glass of the black stuff in my hand – but no, ’twas not to be! Go West came the cry, Go west! Cornwall beckons!

This was our second year at the Cornwall Folk Festival and I think I would have to say it might be my favourite. It is held in Wadebridge, a pretty town in North Cornwall and it is a very well organised event. The music is incredibly varied. with loads of very talented and versatile musicians – playing not just folk music – blues, apalachian, singer songwriters, skiffle, you name it – every kind of music made an appearance!

Our slot this year was on what they call “Shanty Street” a collection of small venues around the town and we were stationed outside the Molesworth Arms pub and our very capable sound man Mark was kind enough to take the above video during our performance.

Check out our YouTube channel here to listen to more shanties and folk songs!

Interesting Folk…

by Lucy Simister, posted in Blog

Since our last post we have been keeping busy indeed! It seems a while ago since I got around to posting about our wee tour around the UK!

Back in te middle of July we were in sunny Exmouth – and I can tell you that they really put on a show there! If you haven’t visited Exmouth in Devon and you happen to be nearby get along and see the place – the folk there are friendly and will welcome you as they did us. We played our usual brand of folk songs of the sea, and a couple of shanties – and the audience were up for a party! They joined in and sang along. I’d have to add what a great community they are down that way. The festival was more of a general music festival with every type of music available so keep an eye out for next year’s offering – it will be well worth it!

The at the end of the month we made the epic journey to Withernsea. A lovely little place north of Hull but unfortunately rain stopped play! With the best will in the world there isn’t a lot of point in performing when the audience clear off home to take shelter! Still – nice people and good vibes even if we ended up a little damp!

In the meantime we have been busy on our YouTube channel and have uploaded a few new folk and traditional maritime tunes:

Check out this one for example – Bully in the Alley

This an old favourite with as many versions as there are shanty crews!

And here is a very old folk song – the Night Visitor – beautiful and mysterious in my view – and while you may think that is a song about infidelity, you may change your view when you learn that this is a folk ballad from a tradition of ‘night visitor ‘ songs that often describe a visitor from beyond the grave – and then the song takes on a far greater poignancy.

Anyway give it a listen and do please remember to subscribe to our channel and like/comment on any – especially if you have song suggestions that you would like us to perform – always happy to oblige!

Our next little outing will be next week – 16th August 2025 – when we will be trekking up to Morecambe for their annual maritime music festival. We will be playing three slots there so check out the programme and get along to see us if you can!

Tarra all and take care XX