Martin Carthy on stage at Anais Mitchell's Hadestown concert, Union Chapel, London
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it is Sunday night in a rather uninteresting pub in a non-fashionable part of West London and I am skulking in a corner hoping that no one I know comes through the door. Middleagedad and I clutch our beers and keep our heads down until a small door at the back of the pub opens and a short, dumpy grey haired woman wearing a floral dirndl skirt pokes her head round the door and beckons us in.
In the back room, a fabric banner possibly made in 1978 hangs behind a tiny makeshift stage, and declares that we are in a folk club. We are actually in the cleared out restaurant bit of the pub with the aroma of industrially cooked Sunday lunches hanging in the air, but no matter, we are not creating a fuss because someone might talk to us and we don't want that. We are the youngest here, by a long stretch and pretty much everyone else is wearing sandals with socks and would use the word 'slacks' to describe their trousers. Time warp doesn't begin to cover it.
MAD and I have recently developed a love of folk music and at this folk club we have seen some terrific stuff; the award winning Chris Wood (Hollowpoint is a beautiful song), Karine Polwart, Jack Harris, Lau and our favourite Anais Mitchell, All fantastic musicians. But sartorially, both artists and audience could do better and we are a long way from rock & roll glamour.
I am frequently appalled at what audience members have turned up in, double denim is often seen without an ounce of irony or fashion know how, as is double leather, on bodies that have had one too many of the aforementioned Sunday lunches.
And the artists aren't much better, Anais Mitchell, who is adorable, showed me the boots she was performing in on Sunday, which are so old and worn through on the top that they are turning into strappy sandals. She is looking, she admitted, for a new pair. We saw Martin Carthy, who is a legend in the folk world, recently at Anais Mitchell's Hadestown concert at the Union Chapel in London and he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt that looked like it had shrunk in the wash.
I am anxious not to be too closely associated with this style-free zone, but obviously feel very shallow for the admission as it's the music that counts. But I can't help it, I want to take everyone aside and give them a sharp talking to. Perhaps I've been watching too many Top Of The Pops repeats from 1976 on Thursday nights, but I want to yell at them 'where's your sense of style?'
Most musical genres have a strong 'look' that unites it and is worn with pride as a badge of honour amongst fans, Punk, prog rock, rap and glam rock all have instantly identifiable styles, even 70s pop -although often appalling- was a statement of intent in very tight trousers. But folk seems to be just drifting in a sea of bad taste.
Country and folk music in America has a stronger image, what with the stetsons, snake skin boots and checked lumber shirts, UK country and folk is missing something sartorially. I completely love the music and the people I have met have been incredibly nice, but if I'm to get serious about it, then things really do need to improve, I want to feel proud of liking folk music and I need a look I can fall in love with. There's a fantastic sense of history and storytelling anchored in folk, with masses of heritage to look back on for a sense of visual creativity. I don't want to get all Trinny and Susannah about things, but I need improved wardrobe action, and soon, particularly in a certain corner of West London. You know who you are.
You have fantastic taste in music!
I love the strong roots and storytelling aspect of folk too. I am teaching myself some old songs to sing to my children (2 and 4), just to be able to feel we are part of that long connection reaching back and forwards ...
Isn't the I-do-not-care-about-my-look look the uniting factor though? ;)
Posted by: Susanna | June 09, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Well it could be Susanna, but it's not a look I can cope with. Anyway I think it's inverted snobbery that 'i am too serious to think about clothes' thing.....But I can feel myself coming over all bossy again....!
Glad you like the music! Ax
Posted by: amanda | June 09, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Couldn't agree more! (about the inverted snobbery - not you being bossy!)
Posted by: Susanna | June 09, 2011 at 10:19 AM
I am at a loss to know what to comment on this post. There IS more to life than clothes so I do hope this is all a bit tongue-in-chic Amanda ....... don't think Bob Dylan worries about his image somehow but his music will live forever.
Posted by: sue Evans | June 09, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Slightly tongue in cheek yes Sue, but actually I am serious about why folk and country doesn't have a strong 'look', why is that? every other genre of music does, bit folk is in limbo.
And Bob Dylan not care about his image? Do me a favour.....Ax
Posted by: amanda | June 09, 2011 at 02:21 PM
I think you'll find his music is higher on his agenda than his look which hasn't changed a million miles since the 60s. Just don't understand why you think image is so important -- maybe folk musicians aren't as frivolous as a lot of other so called musicians. Folk is an age-old genre, so maybe they don't feel the need to tap into something as superficial as fashion ? Let's face it, it's a musical genre that usually appeals to people who have far more on their minds than the latest hem length.
Posted by: sue Evans | June 09, 2011 at 03:24 PM
I have been enjoying a small 'rivival' of folky songs, and have been adding The Unthanks, and Katheryn Tickell to my Amazon wishlist. Back in the day I used to go to 'folk nights' at the back of dark and dusty pubs where anyone was welcome to step up to the mike. Always a source of suprise when some unlikely chap came up with a haunting song or two! As for fashion then, it was always verging on the side of hippydom which suited me just fine. How disappointing to discover the fans have aged into beige slacks! No keep it funky, start a little side line flogging cool Club T-Shirts at the back of the pub!
Posted by: Jill Ballard | June 09, 2011 at 03:58 PM
Oh I love the Unthanks too! And I am loving Alison Krauss's new album . But back to Sue, who has completely floored me with 'why is image so Important?' tomorrow morning I want you to wear a smart black trouser suit to work, would that work for you? Of course not! Because you have a gift for creative dressing and your personality is a net tutu, embroidered cashmere cardi and a pair of gold brogues. What you wear reflects who you are and I am sure that applies to folk singers too. I don't mind that Bob is wearing the same as he did in 1960 because it's a good look . Ax
Posted by: Amanda | June 09, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Readers, I need to add to my ramblings above that Sue always always looks amazing in her clothes, my comments on her net/cashmere/gold 'do' not do her justice, she is a true style icon . Ax
Posted by: Amanda | June 09, 2011 at 11:19 PM
If you think the fashion at folk gigs is bad, you should try going to a speedway meeting.....
Posted by: marianne | June 10, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Marianne, I think we need to know more.....Ax
Posted by: amanda | June 10, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Though they're middle ages, their music really rocks on!!
Posted by: essay format | July 06, 2011 at 10:22 PM
enjoying a small 'rivival' of folky songs
Posted by: Stone | July 14, 2011 at 09:16 AM
You have fantastic taste in music . . .
Posted by: Andy | July 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Is that middle age mom? Well I'm pretty sure that turning to folk will help them to reduce some stress and make them happy. I always turn smiling every time i see a dancing middle parents.
Posted by: Shey | July 25, 2011 at 04:36 AM
It was always verging on the side of hippydom which suited me just fine.. I need to add to my ramblings above that Sue always always looks amazing in her clothes, my comments on her net/cashmere/gold 'do' not do her justice, she is a true style icon..thanks for the blog..
Posted by: outdoor playground equipment | August 25, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Well it could be Susanna, but it's not a look I can cope with. Anyway I think it's inverted snobbery that 'i am too serious to think about clothes' thing.....But I can feel myself coming over all bossy again....!
Glad you like the music! Ax
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It was always verging on the side of hippydom which suited me just fine.. I need to add to my ramblings above that Sue always always looks amazing in her clothes, my comments on her net/cashmere/gold 'do' not do her justice, she is a true style icon..thanks for the blog..
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