TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Mike Harding tweeted yesterday...

It's great news...and this is the first date they're playing, I think.

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=41183.msg641367#msg641367

Here's the poster (pre Owl Service announcement)

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=41183.msg638665#msg638665

Just posted on Facebook:

The Owl Service is recruiting...
With a new album project looming we're looking for musicians to become a permanent part of our little collective. We rehearse irregularly in Leigh-on-sea (near Southend, Essex) and we mostly only play shows in the south east of England a few times a year. If you play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums/percussion, strings, brass, woodwind, squeezeboxes (or anything else interesting), and you're not offended by the idea of fusing traditional British folksong with doom-rock, psychedelia and 'kosmische synth musik' then feel free to get in touch.

The Owl Service shall be playing at The Merge Festival, on the Riverside Stage by the Millennium Bridge, London on Saturday 4th October at 12 midday.

For those of you who know him, Dennis shall be playing with them.

 http://mergefestival.co.uk/merge-events-2014/2014/10/4/riverside-stage-4th-october

Typical! I'm in Taunton until 5..... Grrr

That's a shame, I was relying on you for some decent photos!

Fantastic news! Good luck Dennis. xx  [;-)

Wow, that is fantastic!

The Merge Festival music event on 4th Oct sounds really interesting. Can't find any ticket info though. Does anyone know if this is free, or if not, how to get tickets?

what is he doing with the owl service? playing guitar? drums? bagpipes? exotic dancing?

Its a free event, I hope. I don't want to pay to see him!! Ha ha!  

Thanks Jim, I have this awful vision in my head of Dennis exotic dancing, but he will be playing guitar and I believe it shall be an acoustic set.

Says here that most events are free.

http://mergefestival.co.uk/about/

Sadly the event was cancelled about an hour before it was due to start because of the rain.  We made the best of the day by having a pint of Youngs and wandered around being tourists in the rain.

Thats so sad we had brilliant sunshine here so i hoped it would be same for you....

Next London gig is this lovely looking all-dayer South of the river.

Looking forward to it :-)

[Photo over 400 days old. Removed by Admin.]

and the latest EP

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/three-inverted-nines-songs-for-halloween-2014


Dennis is playing on it.

Fab.  The one track (Sistinas) currently available for streaming is truly outstanding (if rather atypical)
http://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/three-inverted-nines-songs-for-halloween-2014

In January? I don't think that place has any heating....

I'll bring a coat.  And dance.  Or something....  :)

I wonder if Nancy will stay around. She's coming back from Canada for the Bob Copper celebration the previous weekend.

Finger's crossed  :)  Wish I could make both events, but I can't and I'm arguably more musically attuned to the latter anyway.

Just for the record (and because it hasn't been made explicit on the advertising to date I don't think) I checked with Steven and the gig will be wrapped up by 7pm...

Now that makes it very appealing - easier to get home  :)

Indeed, the poster does say "An afternoon of....", so I guess we ought to have worked that out. Could still be jolly chilly.....

The EP is available to download today at any price you choose (including free).

I think its only available like this today, given its Halloween and all that.

http://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/three-inverted-nines-songs-for-halloween-2014

I really like this ep.  Sistinas is the real gem (by a country mile), Come Back gets close, but it's all enjoyable.

The Owl Service have completely passed me by until now. I've just downloaded the latest CD. Excellent. I love discovering new stuff. :)

There's a tiny second pressing of the ep if anybody wants it on disc: https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/three-inverted-nines-halloween-2014-second-pressing

Well I really enjoyed the Alan Lomax show, although in truth it was a bonkers venue for a show in January.  I bailed out before Plinth.  Never has a bus seemed so welcome.  A truly great venue for a June gig.  Outstanding performances all round but special mentions to Nancy Wallace and Long Pike Hollow.  Nothing I didn't like although I don't think the Lost Harbours set quite worked.

And the band are looking for subscribers to support the production of their new album.  More details here:

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/subscribe

Owl Service have posted a couple of Nancy Wallace songs from the Lomax show on their Facebook page.  Lovely stuff, though she looks absolutely frozen.
https://www.facebook.com/thepatternbeneaththeplough

You can also listen to (and buy) Owl Service’s gig cd.  Quite a change of direction
https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/jean-22-46

They're looking for a drummer.  From FB:

We're looking ahead to possibly playing some shows once the new record is finished, so we'd like to recruit a drummer. Ideally you'll be into Brendan Canty, Britt Walford and Todd Trainer, although that's not essential. Perhaps you'll also like the idea of taking traditional English folksong and doing something different/unique with it, but again that's not essential. What is essential is that you're a nice guy/gal, are a solid player, not afraid to take risks, and able to rehearse somewhere between East London and Southend on a weekly basis.
If you fancy it get in touch. Or if you know anyone who might be interested tell them to get in touch.
Thank you,
Steven Owl

I wish that they would have Bill Caddick back. he lives near me and I asked him once why he wasn't back with them. They've never asked me he said. :(

I imagine the rehearsing between East London and Southend bit probably explains that!

Shurely some mistake? Are you thinking of the Home Service rather than the Owl Service?

That probably explains it even more...  ;)

durrr yes LOL

The world needs a collaboration, called The Home Owl Service.

The new CD's out soon...but if you want a lovely vinyl copy you best pledge pretty soon...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theowlservice/his-pride-no-spear-no-friend-vinyl-pressing

Gorgeous 40+ track collection here http://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/collected-tracks

Digital download - name your price - well worth getting!

Well, they may be dead and buried but Jo has a new album out... https://jolepine.bandcamp.com/releases

Thanks, David.  Sounds nice.  I'll check out the other tracks when the album is released, in a couple of weeks.

If any Owl Service fans have a few gaps in their collection, member Jo Lepine is selling a few spare CDs on Facebook....(I assume you'll have to like her/message her etc.)

And Steven has now put up (almost) everything including a rather tasty new comp of hard to find stuff on Bandcamp https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/

Thanks.  Will check it out.

Jules

Steven seems to have picked up his guitar again, albeit briefly perhaps, in order to reactivate Greanvine with Diana.

https://vimeo.com/473964190?fbclid=IwAR0BX7gCVjaHbsQxqrgXHB0WKtRGYrk4Aq4w9VwN8zpk7p4KOGrGSSopCGo

They've also reissued all of their earlier releases in a physical format.

https://greanvine.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR0JieUGr276iLgo2fC5DBWH1DbzEeMpCm4cCZYxNkgM9V4nuBLPJmtTWtk

And new Greanvine (seasonal) material.  It's very good  :)

https://greanvine.bandcamp.com/album/hanged-with-gold-so-red?fbclid=IwAR2Z8Hx60TpHqPrI5vqqeDlsxVHHav6SLx-vq8YnbcUOa2Ja-ROZMDKiJos

 Thank you David  :)

And now...they're officially back (Take 3).  Whoop, and indeed, whoop...

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/rise-up-rise-up

Got their own new FB page too if that's your thang

https://www.facebook.com/theowlserviceband/

 Thank you again David  ;D

It's out now  :) https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/rise-up-rise-up?from=fanpub_fb_merch

Got mine on order!

There's a new compilation of hard to find material available on disc...
https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR22dvrOn4i9_8qDQ5c-Re2tT2Uvw9uKzxV6jIO5tl-MS2bVaXdsL0wuYao

Steven says they won't be playing live (although several of them are backing Diana on the belated launch for her solo album) in Oct https://www.facebook.com/events/547933379544572/?ref=newsfeed

 Thank you David. I remember buying the first 'Wake the vaulted echo' e.p. about fifteen years ago  :o

I think I came across them around 2008/9... I've never understood how they're not big (well, at least Trembling Bells 'big').

They are far and away my favourite 'new' "Electric-Folk" band of the last 20 years. Gutted that they couldn't have been bigger.

Although I quite enjoy some of the attempts of newer British "folk Rock" bands they never quite hit the mark. The format feels a little dated, which in the hands of Steeleye/Fairport etc feels right - and is still great at times ('Dodgy Bastards' album  O0 ) but for some reason newer bands can't quite push the envelope enough. I do keep listening to bands like Traad Arr but they are hit and miss, and drag a bit sometimes. Maybe they are trying to be a bit too serious?

Anyway, I digress, I put Owl Service in the 'post Electric-Folk' bracket(not folk rock) and it still sounds contemporary, new and progressive.

Steven walked away because the response to His Pride No Spear No Friend which really pushed the envelope was so well, to be honest, almost non existent.  Listen to She Moves Through the Fair on the new ep...I mean who needs another folk-rock version of that...there are so many around, and a couple of definitives.  So, why?  But Steven does something very interesting with it...I think.  I love them unconditionally.  Even when they don't quite succeed on some material, they go down fighting....  :)

Oh I completely agree, they are head and shoulders above all other 'folk rock' offerings over the last 20 years. I guess I was suggesting that I think Owl Service works because it is electric-folk rather than folk-rock, but maybe the distinction is just in my head, I am not good at putting it into words..!!  ;D

I definitely wasn't arguing  :)  I too find the old school folk rock of Trad Arr, Galley Beggar and the rest very hit and miss.  The last straight version of the genre that really interested me were the Albion Band 2.0.  Magpie Arc have intrigued me though....

I thought the Albion Band 2.0 EP was good but I was a little disappointed with the album. I will try Magpie Arc.

I should add that another band I love in this genre (just about) for me is 'The Changing Room'. Although all original songs they sound amazing and are almost perfect 'new' traditional songs. Tanya Brittain is a brilliant songwriter. Sadly another band that seems to have fallen by the wayside with solo projects taking over (mainly by Sam Kelly)

Bob Johnson very rarely did anything outside Steeleye. But just before he joined in 1972 he sang and played on guitar on the Roger Nicholson album 'Nonsuch for Dulcimer', it was just the two of them.

The whole album is brilliant, I'm sure many of you have heard it, but, one track in particular (ironically I don't think it has the dulcimer, but rather Roger on guitar and Bob on an electric guitar - I think) always reminds me of The Owl Service, to the extent that you can imagine it being recorded by them now. I also can't recall such a contemporary sounding folk track from the early 70's. It never ceases to amaze me, talk about ageless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_aaTbGBMTk

An essential purchase.  I've almost certainly got everything on here but even I can't refuse this tasty compilation...

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/swearing-on-the-horns?from=fanpub_fb_pr

Our heroes return to the stage after a lengthy gap at the Leigh Folk Festival on 26 Jun 2022...

Update on FB:

We finally completed our FPG Sounds commission today - it's been hard work, but hugely rewarding, and I'm so happy with the results. Focal Point Gallery will be streaming all 5 tracks exclusively, and they'll hopefully be going live later this week, so keep an eye on their website for that;

https://www.fpg.org.uk/updates/fpg-sounds/

The 5 tracks we've delivered today will eventually form the foundations of the next full-length Owl Service record which will see the light of day next year. I was thinking to myself the other day, with my tongue slightly in my cheek, that this next record could be our 'Rumours', or maybe even our 'OK Computer'. Either way, it's a game-changer for us, a record that signals a new path, and in the words of Lindsey Buckingham, we're never going back again. Or perhaps as Thom Yorke once sang; 'Phew! For a minute there I lost myself'...

Very fine they were too.  Good to see the OS back in their spiritual home – the Fishermen’s Chapel at Leigh – after an absence of more than 7 years.  Stephen explained that they took the ‘suite’ of songs from an old anthology of folk songs (mostly Essex variants of familiar traditional material).  His arrangements were influenced by some of his favourite examples of 80s pop.  He had always been a particular fan of Depeche Mode and the opportunity to play a Roland keyboard on stage was a long-held ambition.  The band finished off by playing a couple of numbers from their old repertoire.  They were extremely well rehearsed, which suggests to me that more live performances may be on the way (though nothing specific was mentioned).

Leigh have re-jigged their format since the pandemic   Most of the music has moved up the hill (to the library gardens, the church, and the chapel), while the waterfront is dominated by eateries and bars.  A bit of a struggle for me in my convalescent state (oh, the joys of a pulmonary embolism), but it is still an amazing free festival.

Thanks for flagging it up, David.
 

And another Essex date... https://www.wegottickets.com/event/556267?fbclid=IwAR3x7oVI16rSXIpymk283gzMPhXjW3MCx3g8LdT-lSyrtp8p4pDPbvagA40

Thanks, David.  I have not heard of Harriet Bradshaw but, all things being equal, I will try and get to that.  Always nice to pay a visit to Southend.

One last gig for the year, and it's a special one.  Featuring Alison O'Donnell from Mellow Candle...

And a 630 mile round trip?  Pah.  I'll see you there...

New Owl Service stuff....

New gig CD https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/signals

New Tee https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/merch/limited-edition-screen-printed-t-shirt

New shopping bad https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/merch/limited-edition-heavy-duty-shopping-bag

Evenin' all

I hope you're all good.

I'm not really here (or anywhere) - blink and you'll miss me...I'm taking a bit of a time out from the online world - but I'm doing some writing about/with/concerning the mighty Owl Service.  If anybody has any interesting tales/photos/stories about/live or rare recordings/other sh1t do please drop me a line at davidmjs AT g mail DOT com  I can't guarantee you immortality but you will get thanked in something that gets seen by huge numbers (well, I think we can probably say at least dozens) of people.

Blink and you miss 'em.  

Steven has put the Owl Service back on hiatus and retreated into the world of solo electronica where he currently trades as Steve Illage (ho ho ho).  If you like that sort of thing, as I do, dive in...

https://steveillage.bandcamp.com/album/nosferatu

https://steveillage.bandcamp.com/album/improvisations

But an update on getting the live archive of the band out there...

This directly from Steven (via Bandcamp):

Hello everyone - after announcing the decision to release the entire Owl Service live archive last week I've been thinking of the best way to get this mass of material out there, and I'm now considering releasing the shows individually on CD-r as well as the complete set on USB stick.

The USB release of all 70+ shows is still some way off as I have to re-encode every show from FLAC and then split them into individual tracks and master them, but the CD-r releases could commence next month. These would come as plain white discs in a recycled card wallet with artwork sticker and hand-stamped show number, and a vellum insert with track listing, personnel (where known), and any recollections I have of that particular show. The artwork sticker would change every 10 shows or so, depending on sales. All CDs in the live archive series would be sold at £7 per show, regardless of set length, and the recordings would be released in chronological order at a rate of 1 or 2 shows per month.

If you wanted to save on shipping costs then I would be happy to take orders without adding shipping, and only charge the postage when the discs are shipped. For every 10 shows ordered you would receive the next show free of charge, and I have a load of video footage and rehearsal recordings which would be included as a reward for anyone who buys every show.

These recordings would not be made available on Bandcamp - I'm starting a private mailing list to gauge interest, and that will be used to announce each new release if this series goes ahead. If you're interested then sign up to the list by emailing theowlserviceband@gmail.com with the subject 'TOS LIVE ARCHIVE'. Let's see if there's enough interest to make this happen...

Thanks as always, SPC

It's a funny old world, the Owl Service one..."they've" now returned, but looks like it is still 'just' Steven, for now, at least.

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/black-chapel-music-part-1-the-stone-tape

https://theowlservice.bandcamp.com/album/black-chapel-music-part-2-a-call-to-prayer-unfurling

Part 2 in particular is very good, making use of a nice little bit of Sandy.

 Thanks David  :)