Next month sees the release of ‘A Place to Dwell‘, a compilation of new folk and experimental music, curated by Diana Collier (The Owl Service, Greanvine, Rif Mountain record label, Leigh Folk Festival, Ship Full of Bombs radio). It features an array of great contributors including Alasdair Roberts, Alex Neilson and Lavinia Blackwall (Alex Rex and Trembling Bells) Sharron Kraus (with Jon Boden and Fay Hield providing backing vocals), and Nancy Wallace.
With the photography for the project donated by Steven Collins of The Owl Service and all artists donating the tracks at no cost (many of which are previously unreleased), all profits will go straight to Southend YMCA, a small local charity which works with vulnerable and at-risk young people.
We caught up with Diana who told us a bit more about the project and the work of Southend YMCA:
“I have known about the work of Southend YMCA firstly because they assist us with volunteers at the Leigh folk festival (for which my husband is Artistic Director) and mostly because I have been working for them for a year and a half. They have been very good to me so I wanted to do something for them on a voluntary basis, and this seemed like a good idea.
“Homelessness among children and young people in Southend is increasing in the same way as it has nationally, especially for vulnerable young people who are care leavers or who have experienced trauma. Southend YMCA provides supported accommodation for 16 – 25-year-olds and is working towards the provision of a new children’s home for younger children.
“It provides mentoring and coaching for young people who may or may not be homeless but have different needs ranging from psychological and emotional problems springing from abuse or trauma to a simple lack of self-confidence. It has a fully equipped music studio which works on projects with young people from the town. It also runs an alternative provision free school.”
A launch event is to take place as part of Leigh Folk Festival on Friday, June 22nd, 2018 7.15 – 11 pm @Twenty One Café, Pier Hill, Southend on Sea.
Diana was able to share with us that the following artists have been confirmed as performing at the event:
Alasdair Roberts
Circle/Temple (Dom Cooper from the Owl Service and The Straw Bear Band)
M.G Boulter
Goodnight Crow (Kate Waterfield and Daniel Forbes)
Robert Sunday
Diana has also been keeping busy with a number of projects. “I am working on a solo album of trad and original material to come out on Rif Mountain, hopefully within the year, it’s got additional musical support from Nancy Wallace, Emma Reed of Lost Harbours, John Hannon of Liberez, Mark Offord, Jason Steel and Dom Cooper of The Owl Service.
“I have also been appearing as an occasional guest with Lost Harbours.”
Retailing at £10 for a CD and £8 for a download, A place to Dwell can be downloaded or pre-ordered here:
https://southendymca.bandcamp.com/album/a-place-to-dwell
A Place to Dwell Track listing:
1. The Gift of Weeping – Alex Rex
2. The Old Straight Track – Cunning Folk
3. I Possibly Am Again – Circle/Temple
4. The Little Collier – Alasdair Roberts
5. His Name is Gene – M.G Boulter
6. The Spin – Crafting For Foes
7. Nine Ladies – Lost Harbours
8. Darby – Brazil Banks
9. Romy – Robert Sunday
10. Yellow Tail – Nancy Wallace
11. Feu de Joie – Nick Pynn
12. Lapwing to Shore – Kate Waterfield and Charlie Skelton
13. Hearts Joined as One – Sharron Kraus and chorus.
The tracks were mastered by John Hannon of Liberez at No Recording Studio.