Folk My Life - Podcast

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, My guest David Perry and I, reflect on his 50-year journey in music, the evolution of his songwriting, and the impact of loss on his work. From the challenges of getting your music heard 50 years ago with a box of 2000 albums in the boot of your car, to opposite problem today of have the whole world in easy reach but still not being able to make your voice heard. 

We discuss the importance of storytelling in songwriting, the challenges of navigating the modern music landscape, and the significance of live music experiences. Perry shares insights on his latest album 'Keep Showing Up' and the emotional depth of his songs, particularly 'The Dash,' which explores the meaning of life and choices. The conversation highlights the connections between personal experiences and music, as well as the lessons learned throughout Perry's career.

His musical style encompasses Americana, folk, blues, and country and he began writing music in 1968 during a tumultuous time in American history, but The album 'Keep Showing Up' was released in 2023 after a 50-year break from studio albums. 

We discuss in depth a song by David called "The Dash" which describes the idea that on your tombstone between the dates, your life is in fact the dash. We take our time during the Podcast to discuss David's time "in the dash", the life that filled the 50's years between his studio albums. 

David explains how his music focuses on storytelling and asking questions and how the song 'The Human Race' emphasises the shared human experience.

You can find David on line at https://dmperrymusic.com, there is loads of additional information about his tour dates, merchandise and story. 

David was so kind, to play live during our conversation, and treated us to to brilliant live versions of his songs on the playlist, The first was The Human Race, which is a brilliant way to start the show, as it talks about the Human condition and how we are all in it together.

Also, in a tender and emotional moment for me, David played an acoustic version of his song "The Dash" fore going on to explain the genus of the songs lyrical backbone. 

Music Included 

David was so kind, to play live during our conversation, and treated us to to brilliant live versions of his songs on the playlist, The first was The Human Race, which is a brilliant way to start the show, as it talks about the Human condition and how we are all in it together.

Also, in a tender and emotional moment for me, David played an acoustic version of his song "The Dash" fore going on to explain the genus of the songs lyrical backbone. 

Also in this episode

Also in this episode we discuss the deaths of John Lennon and John Prine, and how we both feel a great sense of "future loss" as David puts it, for the sounds and songs that will never be made by those artists we have lost, seemingly always too soon. 

As David says... "You just keep showing up."

Timings

• 00:00 Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast
• 01:24 David Perry: A Journey Through Time
• 05:38 The Art of Storytelling in Music
• 07:32 Live Music - The Human Race
• 10:45 The Human Race: A Live Performance
• 11:43 The Process of Creating Keep Showing Up
• 14:21 Reflections on Loss and Music
• 19:02 The Importance of Showing Up
• 20:53 Learning and Evolving as a Songwriter
• 23:55 The Changing Landscape of Music Creation
• 26:06 Flipping the Music industry on its head. 
• 26:54 The Challenge of Getting Heard Today
• 29:21 The Trust in Live Music Venues
• 32:46 The Struggle for Original Music
• 36:07 The Impact of 'The Dash' Song
• 40:03 Live Music - The Dash 
• 44:22 The Connection to Folk Music Heritage
• 50:31 Folk My Life Moments and Lessons Learned
• 58:41 Future Plans and Musical Recommendations

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, host Andy sits down with the talented musician Bity Booker. They discuss Bity's unique upbringing in Italy and Australia, the influence of her artistic family, and her journey as a musician. Bity shares insights into her songwriting process, and her experiences in the music industry. 

We begin by discussing how she grew up in Umbria, Italy, before moving to, Australia. We touch on her history as a metal musician and her experiences in early bands, before moving on to explore Bity's songwriting process. She explains how some songs come easily, while others take time.

She values authenticity in her recordings, she explains her recording process and how, using a four-track machine to record the music and vocals in a single take can take time to get it perfect. Bity explains how the mood and moment can affect the recording and she describes how important it is to be able to recreate the sound perfectly on stage. 

She discusses some difficult experiences in the music industry both with studio recordings and also a truly heart reaching story as a "folk my life" moment at a gig early in her career. 

Also in this episode

Bity talks about her father who is a visual artist, and how an artistic family has been influencing her creative journey. We discuss how her music often reflects her connection to nature and personal experiences and also how her latest EP features songs inspired by folk traditions and stories.

Song Suggestions - the playlist is here...

Her artwork complements her music, creating a holistic artistic expression. She draws constantly and paints with watercolour in found frames. She has illustrated song books and her own merchandise available from her band camp and website. 

www.bitybooker.com 

.Band Camp For Bity

Timings

• 00:00 - Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast
• 01:02 - Bity's Musical Journey
• 01:34 - Growing Up Between Italy and Australia
• 06:19 - Artistic Family Background
• 08:00 - Performing at Eterna Primavera Festival
• 08:53 - Singing in Italian vs. English
• 10:01 - Exploring 'Summer Will Return'
• 10:35 - Music - Summer Will Return 
• 13:40 - The Essence of Songwriting
• 18:09 - The Guitar Buying Experience
• 21:25 - Metal Roots and Musical Evolution
• 24:33 - Studio Experiences and Creative Control
• 29:54 - Navigating Loneliness Through Music
• 31:50 - Music - Sad Song
• 35:28 - The Emotional Resonance of Sad Songs
• 37:29 - The Art of Songwriting and Collaboration
• 40:32 - Reviving Folk Traditions Through Modern Interpretations
• 43:25 - The Storytelling Power of Folk Music
• 44:33 - Music - The Weep Willow Tree
• 48:03 - Creating a Unique Musical Identity
• 52:27 - The Intersection of Art and Music
• 55:47 - A Folk My Life Moment
• 1:00:48 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Also in this episode. Picture by Marinella PiantoBity Booker's Artwork and Musical Recommendations Timing 

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, Andy engages in a heartfelt conversation with Amy Claire Scott, daughter of the late folk musician Pete Scott. They explore the bittersweet legacy of Pete's music, his unique songwriting process, and the humour that characterised his performances. 

Amy discusses her project to uncover a treasure trove of music and previously in heard material from Pete's collection, and describes how she to intends to release more of this material to the world. 

Amy shares personal anecdotes about growing up with a musician father, the challenges of preserving his legacy, and the joy of discovering lost songs. The discussion also highlights the importance of community in folk music, the impact of Pete's work, and the significance of family in shaping his artistic journey.

Amy has been so kind as to share some clips and recordings of Pete's work and we have the chance to hear Pete Scott live, introducing his songs and describing some of th difficult inspirations behind some of his music. 

For me personally, Pete Scott's song 'Yuri Gagarin's Banjo' led to a deeper exploration of his music which led me down a long and deep rabbit warren of musical gems. As Amy shares her memories of her father's music we discuss how Pete's humour was a significant part of his performances and how he used his "patter" to create a wide and loyal following for his work.

You can find more of Petes Music and engage with her project at https://petescott.co.uk

You can also follow Amy's sub-stack and see the project at https://petescottmusic.substack.com

Musical Inclusions

08:30 - Song - Yuri Gagarins Banjo

30:46 - Song - My Ipod has turned into Hank Williams.

40:55 - Song - Fantastic Pastie Live

Also In This Episode

Andy and Amy discuss how she Discovered the Album - 'Brand New Smile' and her treasure trove of many of Pete's lost songs, discovered after his passing. We cant about the Cramlington Folk Club, Pasties, getting lost in the car and Pete Scott's TV appearances. Amy shares a wonderful 'Folk My Life Moment" which looks decades to realise how significant the Boo-boo was.... Amy Shares some brilliant song suggestions which have personal significance to her and her dad too. 

00:00 - Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast

02:01 - Remembering Pete Scott: A Bittersweet Journey

02:41 - Discovering Pete's Music: A Daughter's Perspective

07:10 - Clip - Pete Scott Describes Yuri Gagarins Banjo

08:30 - Song - Yuri Gagarins Banjo

12:07 - The Legacy of Pete Scott's Humor and Wit

15:55 - Family Life and Music: The Balance of Art and Home

19:06 - Uncovering Hidden Treasures: The Posthumous Album

21:39 - Discovering the Album - Brand New Smile

25:04 - The Importance of Humour in Pete's Performances

28:33 - Clip - Pete Scott talking to Gary Hogg about the launch of his album of "songs to sing and jokes to tell"

30:46 - Song - My Ipod has turned into Hank Williams.

31:53 - Cramlington Folk Club: A Special Venue for Pete

33:33 - Collaborations and Health Challenges in Pete's Later Years

35:14 - The Power of Collaboration in Music

37:35 - The Legacy of 'Fantastic Pasty'

40:55 - Song - Fantastic Pastie Live

44:33 - Emotional Depth in Songwriting

45:51 - Clip - Pete Talk's about the song Brought and Sold.

48:10 - Preserving Family Stories Through Music

51:12 - A Folk My Life Moment

56:05 - Musical choices and song selections

The clips included from Radio Tyneside, and the Geordie Hour were produced by Gary Hogg and Karis Jones, and have been included with the kind permission. 

The clips from the Cramlington Folk Club were recorded by Ken Mckenzie and have been reproduced with kind permission. 

Musical Inclusions Also in this episode Timing Credits and Thanks 

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, Andy chats with Alicia Best and Robert Jackson of A Different Thread, exploring their musical journey from a chance encounter in Galway to their current tour in the Folk and Americana scene. They discuss their unique sound, the emotional connections in their songwriting, and the importance of live performances. The conversation also delves into their relocation to the United States, the album creation process, and their commitment to sustainability and community engagement through their music and merchandise. The episode concludes with personal song recommendations and reflections on the power of music to connect people.

We discuss how a chance encounter in Galway sparked a musical partnership, that would span 10 years and lead to a creative partnership that has endured. Alicia discusses her difficult time in the US which prompted her escape to Guatemala and how their paths once crossed without them knowing while they were both busking on the same street in New York. 

They share the story of creating a community quilt, embroidered by Alicia and made up of hundreds of pieces of fabric collected at Gigs during their tour, weaving together the stories and sentiments of hundreds of fans into a patchwork quilt that symbolises there core message of inclusivity and diversity.

Musical Inclusions. 

This episode includes tracks from their new album including the beautiful and lilting “come on home molly” and the painfully honest  track “Call of the Road”. We discuss the origins of these great songs and the process of crafting them from the heartfelt raw emotions of their genesis to the rounded and accessible pieces they are, now they are out in the world. 

Alica and Robert also tease us with a sample of their latest release “Sorrow Brings Me Joy” and leak some interesting revelations about the new album, and their process of touring the music from it. Robert describes how this is an antidote to the digital age.

Also In this Episode

They share a great “Folk My Life” moment which involves an epic tale about a ferry, some harmonicas and long stick

Alicia and Robert's Musical Recommendations

The songs Alicia and Robert decided to share form their own collection of outstanding music were, 'Not Good With Words', 'Try to ask you', 'Cherry Tree' and the beautiful tune "Linda's Crossing'. The stories and reasoning behind these song choices are beautiful and we reveal these in the podcast.

The music they chose for thier playlist by other artists were

The Barrel - Aldous Harding

Throw Another Cap In The Fire - Sam Doores, Riley Downing, and The Tumbleweeds .

Certainly worth a listen.

Timing

00:00 Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast

01:24 Chance Encounter in Galway

04:03 Traveling Musicians: Background Stories

10:56 The Sound of A Different Thread

12:29 Songwriting and Emotional Connections

13:51 Music - Come on Home Molly 

17:03 The Journey Through Their Music

19:11 Relocation and New Beginnings

22:20 Touring and Audience Engagement

26:24 Album Release Strategy and Future Plans

30:33 Merchandising and Fan Interaction

31:55 Music  - Call of the Road.

35:31 The Inspiration Behind the Music

38:03 Crafting Unique Merchandise

41:27 Ethics in Music and Merchandise

45:31 Community and Inclusivity in Art

48:06 Experiences at Stonehenge

49:52 Music - Sorrow Brings Me Joy

51:42 Musical Recommendations and Personal Stories

57:34 A Folk My Life Moment. 

You can find out more about this episode at www.folkmylife.co.uk

You can also follow A Different Thread on their website http://www.adifferentthread.com

Support their Patreon Account at https://www.patreon.com/c/adifferentthread/home

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, Andy chats with Alicia Best and Robert Jackson of A Different Thread, exploring their musical journey from a chance encounter in Galway to their current tour in the Folk and Americana scene. They discuss their unique sound, the emotional connections in their songwriting, and the importance of live performances. The conversation also delves into their relocation to the United States, the album creation process, and their commitment to sustainability and community engagement through their music and merchandise. The episode concludes with personal song recommendations and reflections on the power of music to connect people.

We discuss how a chance encounter in Galway sparked a musical partnership, that would span 10 years and lead to a creative partnership that has endured. Alicia discusses her difficult time in the US which prompted her escape to Guatemala and how their paths once crossed without them knowing while they were both busking on the same street in New York. 

They share the story of creating a community quilt, embroidered by Alicia and made up of hundreds of pieces of fabric collected at Gigs during their tour, weaving together the stories and sentiments of hundreds of fans into a patchwork quilt that symbolises there core message of inclusivity and diversity.

Musical Inclusions. 

This episode includes tracks from their new album including the beautiful and lilting “come on home molly” and the painfully honest  track “Call of the Road”. We discuss the origins of these great songs and the process of crafting them from the heartfelt raw emotions of their genesis to the rounded and accessible pieces they are, now they are out in the world. 

Alica and Robert also tease us with a sample of their latest release “Sorrow Brings Me Joy” and leak some interesting revelations about the new album, and their process of touring the music from it. Robert describes how this is an antidote to the digital age.

You can find out more about this episode at www.folkmylife.co.uk

You can also follow A Different Thread on their website http://www.adifferentthread.com

Support their Patreon Account at https://www.patreon.com/c/adifferentthread/home

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, host Andy speaks with Rob Clamp, a rising star in the folk music scene and an artist at the white hot edge of "loud folk". They discuss Rob's unique approach to fundraising through running, his experiences selling out shows, and the importance of community in music. Rob shares insights into his songwriting process, the significance of his song ' All Quiet on the Western Front'.

Rob is known for his unique sound and engaging performances, and his outstanding contributions to community causes. Rob ended up running about 150 kilometres in March this year for the Samaritans raising loads of money for this great cause. He also touches on the strong community support from his fans, which Andy suggests should be called the Clampons.

This was such a great episode to record, Rob's natural style and open nature allows us to explore the really heartfelt stories behind some of his greatest songs. I found new meaning in the song "Riverside' after discussing the origin of this great track and how important it was to Rob and his family. 

You can reach out to Rob on line - www.https://www.robclampmusic.com 

Live Music in the Podcast Studio

Rob treats us to a live acoustic version of his amazing song "All Quiet On the Western Front". Rob unlocks some of the stories associated with this song, and explains his deep personal connection to the First World War...

Also In This Episode

Andy and Rob discuss the differences between the music scenes in Germany and the UK, concluding that in Germany, the music scene offers more support for independent artists compared to the UK.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of being a touring musician and the importance of engaging with fans.

Rob discusses a great Folk My Life moment, involving the song "Who Shot JFK?" and the conspiracy theorists at a gig... 

Rob's Musical Recommendations

The songs Rob selected to share with his playlist are in the list below... 

From his own collection, he chose to recommend, The Riverside and Who Shot JFK?.

Rob's song choices from other artists for this list are 

• Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen
• I won't Back Down - Tom Petty 
• American Girl - Tom Petty 
• You only Love Once - Dave Clamp (Rob's brother)

I also included his latest single Running out of steam and the studio version of "All Quiet On The Western Front" on the playlist, because these were both songs Rob Discussed during the Podcast. 

Rob Clamp Live

You can find our review of Rob's show at the The Water Rats here... Rob Clamp - Live at the Water Rats

There is such a wide landscape of music in Rob’s collection, if lyrics are your thing then this is a song book you can plug into, if stomping good festival-folk is where you are at, Rob has barrowloads of it. If it is tender finger style guitar you need in your life… you will not be disappointed.

Timings

00:00 Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast
00:47 Introducing Rob, The Loud Folk Artist
02:05 Running for a Cause: Rob's Unique Fundraising
04:36 The Joiners: A Milestone in Rob's Career
07:16 Building a Loyal Fanbase: The Clampons
09:00 Giving Back to the Community
10:40 Engaging Live Performances: A Folk Revival
13:11 Merchandise Evolution: Socks and CDs
17:28 Live Performance: All Quiet on the Western Front
22:04 The Story Behind the Song
31:33 Connecting Through Music: Running Out of Steam
31:57 Reflections on War and Music
36:14 The Folk Scene and Authenticity
40:07 Contrasting Music Industries: UK vs Germany
43:51 Curiosity in Music Audiences
46:22 The Journey of a Touring Musician
47:09 A Folk My Life Moment
49:51 Song Recommendations and Personal Favourites

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, host Andy speaks with Rob Clamp, a rising star in the folk music scene. They discuss Rob's unique approach to fundraising through running, his experiences selling out shows, and the importance of community in music. Rob shares insights into his songwriting process, the significance of his song ' All Quiet on the Western Front'. 

Rob Clamp is known for his unique sound and engaging performances, and his outstanding contributions to community causes. Rob ended up running about 150 kilometres in March this year for the Samaritans raising loads of money for this great cause. He also touches on the strong community support from his fans, which Andy suggests should be called the Clampons.

This was such a great episode to record, Rob's natural style and open nature allows us to explore the really heartfelt stories behind some of his greatest songs. I found new meaning in the song "Riverside' after discussing the origin of this great track and how important it was to Rob and his family. 

Live Music

Rob treats us to a live acoustic version of his amazing song "All Quiet On The Western Front". Rob unlocks some of the stories associated with this song, and explains his deep personal connection to the First World War... 

Also in this episode. 

Andy and Rob discuss the differences between the music scenes in Germany and the UK, concluding that in Germany, the music scene offers more support for independent artists compared to the UK. 

The conversation also touches on the challenges of being a touring musician and the importance of engaging with fans.

Our Gig Review of Rob

You can find our review of Rob Clamp Live at The Water Rats here... Rob Clamp - Live at the Water Rats

In this engaging conversation, Christina Alden and Alex Patterson discuss their latest album 'Safe Travels', the challenges of balancing family life with their music career, and the creative process behind their songwriting. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences as parents and how these experiences influence their music.

Live Music

Christina and Alex perform three amazing songs from their collection, in the "Folk Cellar" under their home, the studio where most of their recent albums have been recorded.

Also in this episode...

We chat about "live illustrations" with music, and working with the artist Chris Riddell, on their recent tour.

Handmade merchandise and the importance of buying music and products direct from independent artists, to support their work.

The couple also reflects on the importance of live performances and audience connection, as well as the collaborative nature of their work. They conclude with recommendations for other artists and songs that inspire them.

Timings

00:00 Introduction to Folk My Life Podcast

06:28 The Personal Touch: Hand-Printed Albums and Merch

14:09 Live Music - Safe Travels

17:23 The Meaning Behind 'Safe Travels' Song

19:46 Navigating the Music Industry: Streaming and Support

23:27 Recording and Collaborating.

27:51 Collaborative Creativity in Music Production

30:14 The Significance of Home in Music

31:44 Live Music - Raven Yard

33:39 The Importance of writing organically and shaping the album.

35:01 Discussing Chris Ridell and Live Drawing with Music

40:16 Christina and Alex talk about Parenthood and Music

42:35 Preparing for baby number 2

43:25 Live Music - Etta's Song

46:40 Musical Influences and Recommendations

52:16 A 'Folk my life' moment...

55:42 Ending and Outro

This is a sneak peak of what is to come in the New Podcast from FolkMyLife.

The Full Episode will be available next Saturday so, like or follow us to be informed when the full episode is released.

In this engaging conversation, Christina and Alex Patterson discuss their latest album 'Safe Travels', the challenges of balancing family life with a music career, and the magic of live performances. They share personal stories about their songwriting process, the importance of original music, and the impact of streaming on musicians. The couple also reflects on their experiences as parents and the joy of collaborating with other artists, including live illustrator Chris Riddell. Their passion for music and storytelling shines through as they explore the themes of love, family, and creativity.

In this episode of the Folk My Life podcast, host Andy interviews Rachel Hill, a talented folk musician from Cambridge. As well as including a live recording of the song "We Move", they discuss Rachel's musical journey, from her early influences and songwriting experiences to her use of technology in music and the art of live performance with a loop station. Rachel shares her thoughts on busking, the importance of connecting with audiences, and her upcoming tours, including a special mention of her plans for a new album. The conversation highlights the emotional depth of Rachel's music and her unique approach to creating and performing.

You can connect with Rachel Hill via her website - https://www.rachelhillmusic.com