Owl Service Return

[davidmjs]

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

[dog-nap (Ian)]

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

[davidmjs]

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.)

[davidmjs]

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/

[Jules Gray]

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

[davidmjs]

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

[davidmjs]

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

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

[Ian_]

 Thank you David  

[davidmjs]

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/

[Ian_]

 Thank you again David  

[davidmjs]

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

[David Gladwin]

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

Got mine on order!

[davidmjs]

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

[Ian_]

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

[davidmjs]

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

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

[Greg E]

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   ) 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.

[davidmjs]

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   ) 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....  

[Greg E]

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   ) 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..!!  

[davidmjs]

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..!!  

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....

[Greg E]

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..!!  

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)