Under-Exposed Artists

Subject: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Mathew
Date: 02 Nov 16 - 01:33 PM

I was recently shown this artist from southwestern Ontario, and he's pretty good.

https://maxmarshall.bandcamp.com/



I thought I would create this thread for people to post resources for enjoying these under exposed musicians.

Let the links fly!


Cheers,

Mathew

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 16 - 03:09 PM

The Trailblazers are farily under-exposed, I heard them as an opening act fairly recently and they were pretty good. The recently released their newest album "A PLACE TO CALL MY OWN." I particularly like Armor of God and Riptide. I don't have a link, but you can hear them on Spotify.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: BobKnight
Date: 02 Nov 16 - 04:21 PM

I reckon I'm VERY underexposed. Hopefully the new CD of my original Scottish songs, due out later this year/early next (2017) may help.
You can hear some of my stuff here:
www.youtube.com/bobknightfolk

Always looking for gigs too, and willing to travel. :)

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: JHW
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 06:46 AM

I applaud club organisers who book turns you've never heard of and I will usually chance going to se them. Indeed I'm less likely to go and see albeit good artists I've seen time and again.
Nine Barrow from Dorset as example were good at the Britannia, Darlington recently. Never heard of them but I dare say they're known in Dorset.
It may be the proliferation of festivals that has created so many that are well-known names the moment they start performing. 'In my day' new artists flogged round the folk clubs to hone their act and earn appreciation. Good luck to those who are prepared to do that today.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 07:02 AM

Apart from the few big names, most artists in the folk genre are pretty under exposed. Even some of the bigger names have a limited exposure in the wide world.

But, in the spirit of the thread, my contributions are Anthony John Clarke, Marie Little and Blackbeards Tea Party.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 07:04 AM

SOME OVEREXPOSED ARTISTS
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 10:53 AM

" Never heard of them but I dare say they're known in Dorset. "

Are they trying to make a living from playing gigs or do they have day jobs?

The need to pay a mortgage and feed children does limit the amount of performing (and travelling) time available to an artist who isn't filly pro quite severely

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 05:41 PM

Sorry, just re-read the invitation for links so, even more in keeping with the thread

Anthony John Clarke

Marie Little

and

Blackbeard's tea party

And seeing as I got it wrong first time I will throw in another for good measure

Pete Ryder

:D tG

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 03 Nov 16 - 07:17 PM

I like Ninebarrow I did a concert with them at Wimborne Festival.
By the way I've been gigging like crazy this year so I'm not on the list. (So far)

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 04:40 AM

I took me vest off but it didn't help

Ray

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 05:19 AM

I've seen some good acts recently. Sheffield seems to be a thriving place for seeing new or under exposed talent and we get a few slightly east of there too.

Those who need bookings in order to eat tend to widen the net and "roots" as well as "Americana" interest booking agents. It increases the draw and the odd song in twelve bar blues mixed with interpretations of Child ballads is a trademark of many in the Martin Simpson or Johnny Dickinson style.

My point being, using the ads for a venue not too far away where the aforementioned plus Carthy, Garbutt etc have been guests recently, also advertises bands and singers I have never heard of and the descriptions using Nashville or toured with an other Country act tend to lower my expectation. Yet on many occasion, I have been impressed not only with the act but also pleasantly surprised to see they slip in a few wonderful renditions of firm folk favourites.

Lots out there to find. Get out and discover!

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 09:43 AM

I would have thought that being 'under-exposed' on the folk scene may be a maatter of chance really. In the past, some older 'traditional' musicians were delighted to be discovered and made a career out of their repertoire- Willy Scott and Fred Jordan spring to mind.

It's all changed now, but I know of many proficient singers & musicians with no interest in the perilous living offered by the folk scene & hence become 'under-exposed' by choice?

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 10:22 AM

Yes some artists are professional or semi professional in that they derive some or all of their living from doing bookings based on their music and song, from folk song to guitar, fiddle or other instruments   and sing songs from folk and blues to country americana and folk rock ~ this is a choice they make and god love 'em for it

The other end are the amateurs who in many cases are just as good if not better than those mentioned above ~ often starting in folk club days and acting as the mainstay in those clubs ~ and honing their skills and repertoire as well as holding down full time jobs etc

It is really question of mind set, but the newcomers to the professional ranks are being given a fair go if they have the talents being sought

Folk clubs are diminishing for all sorts of reasons and concert clubs are holding their own and other venues are also booking both old and new acts

Ray

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 01:10 PM

"The other end are the amateurs who in many cases are just as good if not better than those mentioned above"
That is a matter of your personal taste, Ray.
Those people who have done it for a living for many years, have helped to keep the Folk clubs going by being available full time, very often not earning very much, meanwhile those with well paid jobs have been able to attend clubs and have had the privilege of hearing quality music at a price that is ludicrously cheap compared to Classical Music Concerts.
"It is really question of mind set, but the newcomers to the professional ranks are being given a fair go if they have the talents being sought"
No it is not, this is once again just your opinion, how do you know that all newcomers are being given a fair go, you cannot possibly have any more idea of what is happening on a national scale, than I have, even though as I travel across folk clubs in the uk on a national basis,I would not set myself up would as an authority.
Sorry Ray, you are a nice guy and a good singer, but in my opinion you are talking poppycock.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 02:04 PM

"have helped to keep the Folk clubs going by being available full time,"
Sorry Dick, not the case.
Those who keep the clubs going are the ones who turn up every time volutarily, not those who come for a fee
The audiences and chair movers invariably include more than enough talent to run a club successfully
It's always seemed to me an exercise in the pointless to run a club that relies on guests - much more secure to develop local talent and not a strain on the resources
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 02:29 PM

Jim,
all the people who come to the folk club including those you have mentioned and the professional guest artists are equally important.I have seen residents and floor singers raise their game when MacColl and Seeger were the guest singers. are you suggesting that clubs were wrong to book MacColl and Seeger and Wlter Pardon, localtalent is of course as important

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Nov 16 - 03:28 PM

"are you suggesting that clubs were wrong to book MacColl and Seeger and Walter Pardon"
Where on earth did you get hat impression?
Guests can be a help to a club, but they also can be a hindrance if they are treated as essential
Why have a club if all you want to do is run a series of expensive concerts.
Guests can give the residents a welcome break, but if you want to learn something from their singing yu can do that far more efficiently by buying their albums.
You can "raise your game" by listening to dead singers as much as from the living
A guest a month is just about the top limit, in my opinion - beyond that, it loses its club status - and even then, if you can't manage without guests you may as well fold your tent and go home.
Thee's nothing more inspiring for a singer than to have to refresh and replenish their own repertoires constantly.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 04:54 AM

"The other end are the amateurs who in many cases are just as good if not better than those mentioned above"

Yes all musics are subject to taste and not all like traditional/contemporary/americana etc Dick ~ and of course this also goes for the professionals and semi professionals looking for bookings too

the booking policy at folk clubs (god love 'em) is down to the organiser and things change over time ~ the folk clubs are a dying entity and cannot be taken for granted in very many aspect

"It is really question of mind set, but the newcomers to the professional ranks are being given a fair go if they have the talents being sought"

The key to this statement Dick is *if their talents are being sought* clubs and concert clubs which are ~ going concerns ~ and have weekly or regular bookings policy and are seeking changes and wish to highlight up coming young or even not so young talent will have a chance of a gig

Times are hard and from my readings and experience everything has changed ~ pub venues, club times, music sessions, voice only clubs, drinking laws, concert clubs, alternative venues, pas, ~ nothing favours professional acts in folk clubs greatly anymore

Please re read what I have said Dick I think i have made a pretty balanced statement and I do not take kindly to the word poppy cock!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 05:09 AM

Guest P
Couldn't agree more.
If what you describe is correct (it has been my impression for a long time that it is), the folk scene needs to follow the example that the Jazz boom in Britain and the Irish Ballad boom set and learn from the mistakes, take the best of what is left to rebuild an interest in the music that you love.
I heard some wonderful jazz long after Bilk and the other showmen departed the scene.
Ireland produced some wonderful singing when the 'singing pullovers' moved on to more lucrative pastures.
Any future lies in an understanding and intelligent use of the folk repertoire, not in fifth- rate renditions of pop songs that have been long discarded by pop audiences and mass crowd-singing of pieces created for Hollywood Musicals of yesteryear.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 07:12 AM

Ray, it may be the case in your area, ok, then make that clear, you cannot possibly know the situation on a national level unless you have visited every club or done a survey.
Jim,I think good resident singers, good guests and helpful volunteers are all essentials for a good club.
listening to dead singers can be helpful for performers to raise their game, so can being present and listening to Quality guests live.
Jim, how often a guest is booked be it once a month, twice a month three times a month does not prevent a folk club from being a folk club, very rarely in my considerable experience do Folk clubs book guest 52 weeks a year.
There are other factors, other than how frequently a guest is booked the define a "CLUB" from a concert. Sometimes this could be social interaction, extra club activities[ one example I have experienced has been Folk Club music Canal boat holidays, or folk club walking holidays, where the Club organiser has asked the club regulars and booked a Cottage for a few days, people have got to know each other better and maybe had some singarounds in pub whilst they were all on holiday.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 07:26 AM

"listening to dead singers "
Wonder why you emphasize the fact that they are dead - does their demise make them less relevant?
It's always struck me that some of the "quality" guests had spent more time listening to the older singers, we wouldn't be in the mess that we are.
I've said all I have to say a#bout a guest policy.
Residents are the reason the clubs came into existence - to free us from commercial pressures and allow us all to have a go.
A return to a commercially based folk scene would sound the death knell to the folk clubs
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: JHW
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 07:44 AM

'" Never heard of them but I dare say they're known in Dorset. "

Are they trying to make a living from playing gigs or do they have day jobs?'

Yes GUEST. They have indeed given up the day jobs to try and make a living playing folk music.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Nov 16 - 12:39 PM

I repeated your phrasing Jim, here...You can "raise your game" by listening to dead singers as much as from the living.
I am not emphasising anything.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 10:02 AM

under exposed to who exactly?- self appointed folk aficionados?

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: JHW
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 10:17 AM

of course not - underexposed to countless ordinary folkies who turn up at folk clubs

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 02:28 PM

I could regard myself as 'under-exposed' having written and dug out songs which deserve an audience but then again, I moved away from the UK and the folk scene many years ago and rarely go back to visit. Where I live now I occasionally get asked to do a gig which is fine by me since I can test how an, admittedly non-english speaking, audience reacts to my songs and my arrangements which gives me an impetus to keep my hand in.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Some bloke with belt not braces
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 02:46 PM

Oh heck. We are in 2016 and talking about under exposed artistes. It seems to have degenerated down to Jim and Dick doing their "self righteous brothers" act, live from Ireland.

Walter Pardon and Ewan MacColl were not under exposed artistes. They were creatures of their time, part of the rich tapestry but here's something. I'm doing a gig with a backing band shortly. Only one of them was even born in 1989 when MacColl shuffled off this mortal coil.

Ray Padgett makes a good point, not poppycock. Ironically, when I started going to folk clubs as a teenager, Ray was one of the first people I heard sing outside of the Worksop club the first time I went to The Wheatsheaf in Barnsley. At that point, I had no idea who was pro and who was there for a pint. Ray's enthusiastic delivery was something I noted for the future.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 03:55 PM

"Walter Pardon and Ewan MacColl were not under exposed artistes."
Ewan wasn't - Walter most certainly was - certainly as far as public performances were concerned, where he was at his best.
Pat organinsed his last tour - she still uses a response she got from a London Club as a guide to what has happened to the revival
The young woman in charge of the booking said she had never heard of him so Pat decribed what he dd
"Oh, I'm sorry, we only book folk singers", was the reply she got
"They were creatures of their time"
Ewan made more albums than any singer I know - they
still sell - all of them and are constantly being reissued in remastered form.
Folk is a continuum that stretches back centuries - if you don't understand that you haven't the slightest clue of what folk song is - I conclusion I reached when I first encountered you.
If they are no l;oger relevat - where's me Dickens and Hardy and Shakespeare and Creevantes and Burns and Donne....... must replenish the bonfire.
Shhheeesh I really do not remember ever coming across such mind-numbing ignorance.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 03:36 AM

Try reading Jim's posts then. Oh....

I repeat. This thread is about under exposed artists. (Artistes even.)

This nonsense waffling on about MacColl and Pardon is totally irrelevant. Skip forward fifty years and comment on the fine variety of folk acts there for any unblinkered person to enjoy.

Mind you, many young artistes see YouTube as the primary medium for entertaining others. Another example of evolution.

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 04:40 AM

"Try reading Jim's posts then. Oh.... "
Try replying to some points anonymous bloke instead of crouching behind your anonymity
No explanation of what folk music has evolved into - no argument
From your evasions, it has become an amorphous unidentifiable fog.
When I first signed up, we may have disagreed over what was good and bad, but we all knew what it was we were disagreeing over.
Britain (certainly as represented here) seems to have abandoned any form of identity - mo musical form can survive that - not as a continuing performed art anyway.
Train wreck it is, then.
What exactly is it we are taking about, do you think?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 06:12 AM

Get off yer arse and listen to the exciting talent out there. Your sad comments do not reflect any reality Jim. Or stop slagging off folk music. If you don't like it then fine but most of us do.

Oh and stop calling me anonymous. Only one bloke accuses you of wearing your trousers up to your tits. 😎

Subject: RE: Under-Exposed Artists
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 03:27 AM

To get exposure, I think its much easier today in many ways. CDs can be produced at low cost. You tube clips etc. at the expense of a small bit of time. Open mikes develop experience. You can listen to past masters on the net, get words/ tunes/ dances etc from the best, even do a degree in folk music where you can network with like minded performers. Owning a PA and a car costs less than it did. The main 3 week long festivals are in robust health. Some festivals have extended to the Thursday and Monday. If you want it, and have the talent, it can be done.
FloraG.