Not hiding for the sake of ‘trad. authenticity’

The debut album ‘You, Golden’ from London-based folk duo Owen Spafford (fiddle) & Louis Campbell (guitar) will be released on the 4th November 2022. Best known for their work with Sam Sweeney and Cosmo Sheldrake, the duo intended this album to be an introduction, as well as an exercise in honesty, both in presentation and influence.

In terms of presentation, the album was recorded live, in just two and a half days. There was no separation, overdubs or even headphones and was captured using a make shift set up in a converted barn in Oxfordshire. In terms of influence there was an active effort to authentically express their varied musical backgrounds, not hiding for the sake of ‘trad. authenticity’, Spafford’s interest in contemporary classical, Irish and old time music or Campbell’s background in post-rock, alternative and bluegrass music. The result is a raw, dynamic and very musical record, highlighting the subtlety and intimacy of their playing over flashy virtuosity, a rare quality in young, conservatoire trained instrumentalists. Spafford and Campbell share an openness to progression and individualism in the genre, with a shared scepticism towards the fabricated ‘rules’ of the tradition developed in the folk clubs of the 60s and 70s. To them, authentic folk music is music that organically reflects a persons background and so their love of The Gloaming, Lau, Nic Jones and Andy Cutting is expressed to the listener right alongside their love of Arooj Aftab, Big Thief, Bill Frisell and Sigur Ros.

The self-produced album was engineered by Joe Garcia, known for his with work with artists ranging from Blowzabella to IDLES. The repertoire is largely made up of original tunes, alongside edited traditional tunes and even a lullaby taught to Spafford by his grandmother. Despite the variation in materials origin, the album holds a sense of cohesive stylistic vision, with even 16th century country dance tunes maintaining a contemporary feel. An unusual version of the folk song standard ‘Hares on the Mountain’ is also included, unabashed about being more influenced by Bright Eyes and 20th century minimalism than Shirley Collins.

The duo first met as members of the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s National Youth Folk Ensemble as teenagers, with the albums dedication to the ensembles core leaders showing the powerful effect the experience had on them. Despite having an average age of 21, the time spent playing together in the 6 years they have known each other has produced a real sense of maturity and one-ship, producing a sound far beyond their years.

Spafford is an All-Britain Fiddle Champion in the Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine and BBC Young Composer Competition nominee, he is currently studying composition at the Royal Academy of Music and working on music with Cosmo Sheldrake. Campbell studied electric, acoustic and classical guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music under Stuart McCallum (The Cinematic Orchestra), Martin Simpson and Craig Ogden (Classic FM Recording Artist) and has been described as ‘a talent to watch’ by the Sunday Times and ‘an exciting young guitarist’ by Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2).

Liner Notes

1, Adson’s - Written by Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell, based on ‘Adson’s Saraband’ from John Playford’s English Country Dancing Master

2, Calendar - Written by Owen Spafford

3, You, Golden - Written by Louis Campbell

4, Hares on the Mountain - Trad. Lyrics adapted by Louis Campbell

5, Ditty I - Trad. ‘Madame Corde’s Frolic’

6, Nineties - Written by Louis Campbell

7, Ditty II - Written by Owen Spafford

8, Ditty III - Written by Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell

9, Lullabies

Tune I - Written by Owen Spafford

Tune II - Trad. ‘Hobhàn’

Tune III - Written by Louis Campbell

Mow Me Down - Trad.

Dedicated to Sam, Sarah, Rob and Miranda and everyone involved with The National Youth Folk Ensemble

All tracks arranged by Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell

Produced by Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell

Engineered by Joe Garcia at Bampton Castle, 24th-26th January 2022

Mixed by Joe Garcia, assisted by Louis Campbell, at Joe’s Garage, Bristol

Mastered by Sam Proctor at Lismore Mastering

Quotes

“Rising stars of the folk scene” - Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3

“Beautiful, swirling, modern English folk music” - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

“Gorgeous Music” - Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, RTE 1

“They display a mastery and vision that, for a debut, is truly remarkable.” - Folk Radio UK

“Virtuosic, vibrant and very, very progressive. A magnificent take on the trad. tune idiom. Don't let their youth suggest these aren't two very wise old hearted musicians at the start of a very long and glorious career” - Sam Lee

“Brave, brilliant, deeply musical and creative. Listen to this....” - Martin Simpson

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