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.