Award winning independent folk roots and acoustic label, Folkstock Records, has been releasing emerging singer songwriters since its inception, following their much acclaimed festival held in September 2013.
With high profile support from Patrons Peggy Seeger and Fairport Convention’s Dave Swarbrick, plus national treasures Whispering Bob Harris and Tom Robinson, the boutique label has been getting a reputation for their successful and award-winning in-house promotion, plugging and production. The word has spread and Folkstock have been asked to curate two Emerging Talent events as part of London Folk and Roots Festival in November, with eight acts involved. All eight artists have been with Folkstock from the beginning, and performed at the first festival they organised in 2013.
Started about two years ago by mother-daughter team Helen Meissner (label founder) and Lauren Deakin Davies (producer), boutique label Folkstock Records has attracted many female singer-songwriters. As a result, they have found themselves waving the flag for female representation.
Because of this, Folkstock released an all-female album, ‘The F Spot Femmes Fatales’, to coincide with International Women’s Day in March this year. To the astonishment of all involved, it received a recommendation in the Sunday Times, as well as a 4 star review in The Telegraph: consequently it’s also one of The Telegraph’s top albums of 2015. When Helen was approached to put forward acts for two showcases as part of the London Folk and Roots Festival, she deliberately chose mostly women – 6 from the afore-mentioned album, and two more. These artists have been split into two groups, an ‘Alt Country’ night, to be held Wednesday 4th November, and a Female Folk evening, the following Wednesday, November 11. Both events will be at The Islington, with tickets at only £8.
Folkstock Records is releasing a compilation album of all eight acts, entitled ‘Downtown’. The album is free to download for everyone pre-booking a ticket to the London showcases when proof of purchase is sent to folkstock@hotmail.co.uk.
Kelly Oliver, who features on the album, will be headlining the event on 11th November. Kelly has been having some considerable success, with her last three singles receiving radio play on BBC Radio 2, as well as on Chris Hawkins’ BBC 6 Music Show. Her newest single, ‘Miles to Tralee’, is out on 20th November, and is the lead track on ‘Downtown’. Kelly also closes the album, with her song, ‘Rio’. Other artists featuring on the album include Minnie Birch, also performing on the 11th, Marina Florance, who has only recently been receiveing recognition, despite having written songs since her teens; and Daria Kulesh, whose Russian roots are reflected in her music. Daria’s solo album, ‘Eternal Child’, was launched in January this year, her first away from her band, Kara. Daria will also be performing on the 11th, while Marina will be singing on the 4th.
Buy tickets for the event on 4th November here, and follow this link for the showcase on November 11.
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