Starting a Folk club

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Kosmo
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 09:20 PM

I've never come across a folk club that wasn't what it said on the tin, i.e a majority of people playing music in the traditional way. My boyfriend, his best friend, my two flatmates and myself are all huge fans of traditional msuic and we all play so there'll be us at least!

It's well under way now, and I'm doing some trial runs, we need the money so that we can organise party nights (it's terrible being a poor student during the recession ...) I'll be creating a newsletter and also making notes of the setlist so people can remember wehat they played - having turned up and been told "you played that last week!" once, and then restarted a different tune!

Thanks again. xxx

Kosmo

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 05:29 AM

I've never come across a folk club that wasn't what it said on the tin, i.e a majority of people playing music in the traditional way

I must be moving in the wrong circles! The other night at Chorlton FC I only heard one actual traditional song all night, and I was singing it.

You're obviously well organised, anyway. Sounds like it's going to be brilliant, and I hope it is.

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 07:59 AM

Sounds like an excellent basis ! Shame Glasgow is such a long walk !!

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: JemmaGurney
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 08:20 AM

Hi kosmo

I don't anything about running folk clubs, but I know a bit about university folk societies, advertising in a uni environment etc - having run Sheffield University Ceilidh Society a few years back (it runs a weekly session (plus a weekly beginners music workshop) as well as ceilidhs). A long shot, I know, but if you happen to be coming down for towersey festival we could get together for a beer or two? Else, I'll try and put my thoughts together and post them when I'm not at work...

Also (kinda related) have you heard of this student festival: ivfdf It's mostly folk dance lead, but there has been a push to make the emphasis a bit more equal on the folk music side too. Next february it is in durham (so rather nearer to glasgow than exeter (where it was last feb!)

Jems

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Mo the caller
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 09:07 AM

Good luck. Sounds like you've got a good start with the 5 of you all playing, and already being friends. You'll be able to get together and plan what you each are playing on the first few nights, to give a good idea of the mix that you are hoping for.
I used to go to Nellie's in Beverley, occasionally. It was mainly a round the room club, some songs some tunes. In the interval a group of musicians pulled their seats into a circle at the front and played tunes together.All acoustic and unamplified, mostly loosely traditional but with oddities thrown in. Very talented members. And a really friendly welcoming place even to 'audience'. They also booked some good guests once or twice a month, but it's the members nights that stick in the memory.

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Kosmo
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 10:03 PM

I've just got back a few hours ago from the folk club in Sale that I go too, an interesting mix of music, but on the whole very well run, a nice friendly unassuming atmosphere and a quiet respectfull audience.

The room was set up in a round and I really like that, like sitting round a camp fire, but there were a few who got up to sing in the middle.

Joining in (singing/playing along) is usually welcome.

This is actually my favourite of the folk clubs I attend, and I really hope to follow the trend - obviously not copy by the letter! But something similar at any rate.

They have two people running it on a sort of rotation, and they start the night with the welcomes, and also take naems of players and what each person/band performed - for instance tonight my mum and my dad and myself all played: young billy brown/captain pugwash, seven days are in the week and harvest in (drink good ale)together, but not all in one go, we did one song to start, then when our turn came around we played again. But this all got written down for the website, which - say you heard something, really liked it, but could remember the name - it's all there for everyone to see.

Also the two people running it choose a sort of running order, i.e they say who goes next and how many tunes, the banter is fab though and everyone gets a turn, if not two - and tonight we filled every seat!

There was an interval raffle, and paying £1 on the door, this pays for the private room, which is a decent size. The people that go are old hacks from the Railway Folk club in lymm (which no longer exists and is just the lymm folk club) and some others from the cheshire area.

So we did know each other fairly well but there are many new faces, however I still find it sad that whenever I go back I'm still the youngest person there, by quite a way.

xxx
Kosmo

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 01:09 PM

Oh yes almost forgot why not go to the Songwriters Festival at the Taybank Hotel, Dunkeld on Saturday Sept 5th. Several of those appearing come from near Glasgow and are certainly worth booking. The festival is free and starts at 11.00am and finishes at 11.00pm with acts doing a half hour stint. so lots to chose from.Even if you dont book anyone its a good day out!

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 10:35 AM

On repertoire - make it as eclectic as you dare, if the folk police are testing your Scottishness - try subterfuge.
Eric Bogle songs for instance. Consult the history of folk and link any to Scotland via the findings of researchers (eg Child Ballads) and you could even play tricks on the incredulous like linking "Molly Malone" to the first known publishing of that song and accreditation to a Scot in Edinburgh (search the 'Cat - it is here because I asked the question years ago). If you have a co-operative audience of uni students they will relish the game.

At the Somers (Malvern/Worcester) we had nights like that, tenuous or genuine connections to a given theme. It livens the proceedings and gives it a certain piquance.

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 08:29 AM

you will need a good nucleus of singers and or musicians.

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Kosmo
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 05:13 PM

I personally don't care what other people think so long as the people that matter (i.e the members of the folk club) enjoy themselves. Long live eclecticism!!!

xxx
Kosmo

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Tootler
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 06:45 PM

People enjoy themselves at a Folk Club? Shock, Horror :-)

Seriously, your attitude is spot on. Good luck to you and I hope your club is a success.

Geoff

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Folknacious
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 07:46 PM

Kosmo: Glasgow/ eclecticism . . . makes me wonder if you are you in touch with Alex Nielson and Trembling Bells - Alasdair Roberts connections I believe. Listen to Carbeth on their MySpace page.

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: stallion
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 03:25 AM

Try getting yourself to the Tap & Spile in York, you will not be the youngest there! Friday night "free for all" you need to be tough but you should get plenty of support!

Subject: RE: Starting a Folk club
From: Ian Fyvie
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:37 PM

On the 'sorts' of folksong, you'll never please everyone. Some people will always want mainly or exclusively traditional folk. And I've been to clubs in the distant past where virtually every performer - as well as the guest - is a singer songwriter.

I started a new folk club two and a half years ago based on my ideal club model (inevitably
it's your first club!) I invited the people who sing/play the types of folk I like AND who I thought would contribute to the sort of easy going atmosphere I sought. I advertised the club to a totally new audience - the local community by door-to-door leaflets; with a run of dates for three months at twice a month. After three meets it was obvious we could sustain a club every week - and it's run as such ever since (Brighton Cellarfolk - just got back from the latest meet - come and see us!).

I has evolved - there was a filtering process. But if you can please enough people to get the club established, it will find its own character and mix of styles people will support.

Ian Fyvie