The Buff Orpingtons (Andy Vaughan)

There are a lot of different and interesting performances at this year's festival.  One in particular I'm looking forward to are The Buff Orpingtons (Andy Vaughan). Andy has a specific interest in the sounds that electronic instruments make, and what the machines that made them would look like if they weren’t electronic - but still made the same sound.  He'll be bringing this concept to the Saturday night event through a short, semi-improvisational piece using home made instruments, manipulated samples, found sound, sequencers and effects that explore new ways of making noise. Some of the equipment Andy will be using is shown in the picture (right). 

The Buff Orpingtons will be on at around 8.00pm upstairs in Hot Banana Music.

Warning: This could be a noisy one!

Alt-Folk with Johnny Campbell

The first time I saw Johnny Campbell play must have been around 5 years ago at a lively music night in Wakefield.  Johnny had the whole crowd singing along to a punk folk anthem remnant of Flogging Molly and The Pogues.  Fast forward to last year and a stunningly good set at Hot Banana Music, and he’s welcome back this year, with two separate gigs over the course of the weekend.  I caught up with Johnny on-line to ask him a few questions and chew the fat on this election business.

Martin: How would you best describe your music?

Johnny: In its broadest sense it would be described as Alt-Folk.  But there is humour in there as well as politics, drinking songs and anything else that fits the occasion. Fast and ruthless and sometimes delicate finger picking if the moment arises.

Martin: I remember seeing you in a band a few years back.  How long have you been playing solo now?

Johnny: I've been performing solo for a couple of years which is a great thrill to be able to command an audience on your own and if you can get them hanging on your every word that’s a special feeling. I used to be the singer/guitarist in Three Sheets T' Wind, a Folk-Punk band too for a number of years and sometimes when the moment calls for it, I'll form a trio for special gigs.

Martin: Three Sheets T' Wind at Cellar 88 a couple of years ago were brilliant.  How do you find the Holmfirth Folk Festival?

Johnny: The Holmfirth Folk Festival is the one I look forward to the most every year! Not just because it is very close to where I live so it is near enough staggering distance home, but it seems to bring a lot of people from all over the country in. There are 'big' name acts at The Picturedrome, but I feel the real essence of the festival are the all-day sessions in the pubs around the place.

Martin: Come the weekend we may have reason to celebrate or cry into our beers.  What state will the country be in by the end of this week do you think!?

Johnny: Election-wise, I was hoping for something a little bit more than we're offered on the ballot paper. There isn't much choice for the working people of the country. Perhaps Holmfirth Folk Festival may instigate a revolution of some sort, rebellious folk music and lashings of real ale are the perfect concoction for real change!

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You can catch Johnny Campbell on Saturday night in Hot Banana Music as part of the Antifolk shenanigans and Sunday afternoon at Gonzos.

Prog experimental drone folk music is a must see this year ..

This year we are delighted to announce a unique performance from progressive and experimental musician Sophie Cooper.  Sophie, who will be playing on Sunday afternoon in the Box Office, describes her music as prog, experimental, drone folk – a description that fits perfectly with the aims of our Antifolk Festival - creative and genre bending.  Sophie will be playing half an hour of original pieces of music based on a dream she once had.  She will be using a Tanglewood TW73 Parlour Guitar, Cooper Vox82 Edition, AKAI MPX8 Sampler and various effects pedals.  I for one can't wait for this Sunday!

You can also listen to Sophie Cooper right here:  

https://soundcloud.com/sophie-cooper

The Poets for Saturday Night

Saturday night's musical extravaganza will be peppered with a little poetry.  And if you think you don't like poetry because it's too 'arty' and 'high brow' you better think again.  We are proud to present the most brilliant down to earth poets for you in Norah Hamill, Jimmy Andrex and Stuart Clark.

Norah Hamill is Holmfirth based activist and poet originally from Northern Ireland.  She has organised some wonderful spoken word events in the Huddersfield area including the second wave of One Billion Rising.  She recently had a collection of poetry published by the White Ribbon Campaign to help prevent domestic violence.  The collection called Mango 11’s is a powerful and recommended read.

Jimmy Andrex is from Wakefield where he runs the awesome Red Shed Readings monthly event.  His poetry takes the listener through a range of Yorkshire settings and often includes backing music.  His album of poems to music, entitled Cresties, was released at the end of last year.

Stuart Clark is based in Holmfirth and runs The Nook Amateurs Writing Club where randomly selected words are turned into prose and poetry by the group.  Stuart’s poetry ranges from the gritty through to humorous takes on life in a Northern Town.

Poetry will run throughout the evening between the music acts.

Juffage at The Box Office, Holmfirth (10 May)

"Juffage is Jeff T. Smith, a sound artist and multi-instrumentalist from Leeds UK, via Chicago, Illinois.

Through relentless touring in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, performing over 350 self-booked gigs, Jeff has established a reputation for his sonically powerful and physically captivating live shows.

His debut album ‘Semicircle’ was renowned for its engaging entanglement of pop and noise music forms, receiving widespread critical acclaim from the likes of the Guardian, NME, Loud & Quiet, and Drowned in Sound.

A recording enthusiast at heart, Jeff has spent time in some of Chicago’s finest studios including Electrical Audio (w/ Steve Albini) and Engine Studios (w/ Brian Deck).  Currently recording a follow-up LP, he has collaborated with Katie Harkin (Sky Larkin, Wild Beasts, Sleater-Kinney) and Tom Evans (Vessels).  Previously, he shared the stage with artists such as Dosh, Balmorhea, Mount Eerie, Cloud Nothings, Portico Quartet, Three Trapped Tigers, and Nat Baldwin (Dirty Projectors).   After an extended period away writing, Jeff is returning to gigs with bags full of new material in 2015." from website

Juffage will be playing at the Box Office in Holmfirth on Sunday 10 May at around 4pm and not to be missed.

Anti-Poetry

"The poetry of believing the unbelievable, and knowing that truthful knowledge is the opposite of bending the truth"

Sarah Leah Cobham

The Holmfirth Antifolk Festival prides itself in offering performances with a difference.  So that a variety of artists (and I do not use the word ‘artist’ lightly) can bring their creative minds to the party.  This year I’m looking forward to hearing Sarah Leah Cobham who is also creative writer in residence at Well Women Wakefield.  I caught up with Sarah to find out more about what she was planning.

Martin: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Sarah: My art covers a multitude of genres, I am a writer, a poet, a performer and a singer. I like to bring an audience with me as I tell stories and poems which explore the many sides of human nature.

Martin: What are you planning for the festival this year?

Sarah: I am planning to tell a short story about an ancient pre-Christian Georgian ritual which incorporates Georgian song. I am currently writing a book called Nino's Song which has both short stories, poetry and photographs of The Republic of Georgia and plan to give performances from that.

Martin: Where would you like to take your writing in the future?

Sarah: As the writer in residence at the Well Women Centre my focus is always on empowering the female voice so as an artist my work will always reflect that. 

You can catch Sarah at Hot Banana Music in Holmfirth on Saturday 9 May from 7.00pm.

One final thing, Sarah is also organising 'Women's Voices Ring Out' in Wakefield Monday 18th May with booked performers and a women only open mic.  Details below.

Yelping and Yodeling with Satteli

“Satteli are a Swiss yodel duo; sisters Louise and Helen Curtis-Streich.  They perform beautifully, haunting Swiss natur yodel and lyrical alpine songs.” Satteli web page.

We are delighted to have the wonderful Satteli performing for us at the Holmfirth Antifolk Festival this year.  And if you haven’t come across their unique yelping and yodeling you really are in for a treat.  I caught up with Louise Curtis, one half of Satteli, to ask a few questions about the duo.

Martin: When did you start Satteli and why?

Louise: Satteli was formed in 2009 after years of singing together in various groups we decided to honour our Swiss origins.  We grew up with strong musical influences from both sides of the family, and also studied music at Huddersfield and Leeds University.

Martin: You went down brilliantly at our little festival last year, what are you planning for this year?

Louise: We will be performing Swiss folk songs old and new from the Bernese Oberland and other German speaking parts of Switzerland, with a healthy dose of yelping and yodeling.

Martin: As well as some of your own songs?

Louise: Definitely, we also have an EP to be released in June 2015 and we’ll be performing some pieces from that.

Martin: Where would you like to take your music in the future?

Louise: As well as reinvigorating old yodel songs we will continue to develop our own songs.  We love exploring the free sounds the voice can make not just with yodeling ,but yelping and jutzli.  Maybe also a cross of jodel styles from around the world...perhaps a collaboration with those who embrace belting and clarity of tone.

Martin: And you also have a film coming out?

Louise: Yes, a short film called Yorkshire Yodellers is being produced by Cosmic Onion Productions and can be seen at the forthcoming Holmfirth Film Festival.

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You can catch Satteli on Saturday evening at Hot Banana Music, Holmfirth (starts at 7.00pm) or Sunday afternoon in the Box Office (around 4pm).

The Final Poster!

WTF is Antifolk?

People have asked me about the meaning of ‘Antifolk’ - particularly in the run up to our local Antifolk Festival which I am helping to organise.  I am no expert on this matter, but here’s what I think.

Non-elitist

There is no musical snobbery in Antifolk.  Antifolk does not judge musicians on how well they play their instruments, or whether they conform to a particular pattern of playing.  Rules are there to be broken.

Open minded

Antifolk embraces all forms of music that come from the hearts and minds of the people.  It has an open mind to experimentation, creativity and collaboration so that new sounds can be created.  The Antifolk festival will feature everything from modular synth banks to yodelling, some of it you might like, some of it you might hate, the point is it won’t be anodyne, middle of the road or safe by any stretch of the imagination.

Local music

The Holmfirth Antifolk Festival features many local musicians who are unlikely to ever play the wider folk festival.  That is why it is a fringe festival, invented to support and encourage local talent at all stages. 

Drinking music

Antifolk is about enjoying life, music and having a good time amongst like minded people.  Large amounts of alcohol are likely to be consumed and there will be some swearing.

Age of ageism

The Holmfirth Antifolk Festival brings together musicians and performers of all ages ranging from 18 to upwards of sixty plus.  We live in an age of ageism, and the music industry is as riddled with ageism as any other.  Antifolk has no interest in your age, only what you bring to the party.

The Holmfirth Antifolk Festival is a fringe festival that takes place on the same weekend of the wider Holmfirth Festival of Folk (9 and 10 May 2015).  Saturday is 7.00pm until late at Hot Banana Music Shop in the heart of Holmfirth, and Sunday is 1.00pm until 5.00pm at The Box Office (The Picturedrome) in Holmfirth.