For those of you new to the Rag Foundation they hail from Swansea, South Wales and were brought together, according to their band-bio, by their working class, traditional roots. They add that they are “as comfortable performing traditional welsh songs written centuries ago as they are writing contemporary, alternative folk that explores the darker side of humanity.” All of that grabbed my attention and my expectations ran high when we were offered the chance to premiere their video for their new single Keep the Lights Low. I wasn’t disappointed, watch it below:
Keep the Lights Low is the second single to be released from their forthcoming album, The Sparrow and The Thief, which is due to drop next month on 29th June 2015 via Rhondda Street Studio Recordings.
If you’re new to the band then go and visit their website and have a read of their band history, it’s an interesting one which runs in parallels with the likes of fellow Welsh contemporaries and Folk Radio favourites, Fernhill as well as Boys From the Hill, the KilBrides, Careg Lafur, Pigyn Clyst & harpist Llio Rhydderch, bands which have been transforming Welsh folk music for many years now.
On this new release the band’s folk background is evident throughout, but shines brightest on tracks such as ‘Sparrow Song’ and ‘Freedom is a Stranger’.
The band have always been fascinated by the dark stories behind certain songs – murder, betrayal, infidelity – essentially all the good things in life. With The Sparrow & The Thief they’ve produced a folk tinged collection of tales that they’re keen for listeners to explore.
Rag Foundation will be spending the rest of 2015 touring the UK, spreading their music as far as they can.
The Sparrow & The Thief is released 29th June 2015 via Rhondda Street Studio Recordings.
http://www.ragfoundation.co.uk/