Welsh Bajan singer-songwriter Kizzy Crawford is releasing a double A-side single with Folkstock Records on 26th August. One of these tracks, Gerridae, we have the pleasure in premiering. Gerridae, as shown on the single’s lovely artwork, is the scientific family name given to pond striders or pond skaters. Kizzy expanded on her reasons for choosing such a title:
I wrote Gerridae about my transition from a young woman to an adult, the feeling of having to follow others to be successful, not trusting in yourself and trying to fit in to society during this awkward period. A Gerridae is a pond skater and I imagine the way it would move across the water; slowly and calmly, at ease with itself or quickly and randomly, panic stricken. Much like moving through life. Every now and then you’ll come across an obstacle, a lily pad, which you can’t work out how to get past. Other times nothing stands in your way of going where you want to go. I like comparing life to patterns in nature, it seems to make more sense when you look at things that way.
https://soundcloud.com/folkstock-records/gerridae-by-kizzy-crawford/s-KpYKe
Although Kizzy started out in the folk vein, the accompanying track on the single ‘Jungle’ demonstrates her broadening horizon encompassing soul/jazz expressions. Talking of the release through Folkstock she said:
“Folkstock is a vibrant label that has many different cool artists that release some great, creative music. So the chance to release my own music alongside such a talented roster is a privilege”.
Interestingly, those studying A-Level music in Wales will become familiar with Kizzy who will sit side by side with The Super Furry Animals and Manic Street Preachers in the contemporary music section for this forthcoming academic year, thanks to the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) who said:
WJEC is very pleased to be able to introduce the songs of Kizzy Crawford to our new A2 Music specification. It is hoped that students around Wales will take inspiration from her, as a young Welsh singer song-writer, and produce their own music, following in a great tradition of Welsh artists. WJEC
The achievement hasn’t gone unnoticed and Folkstock have managed to arrange for Kizzy to be a guest on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour on 1st September as well as Gaby Roslin’s BBC Radio London show on Sunday 28th August.
Needless to say, Kizzy is clearly, and deservedly, chuffed by it all.
“I feel honoured to be one of the set piece artists for WJEC, for my work to be considered of enough quality and importance to be included in the national curriculum is high praise for an artist, so it’s an honour”