I recently caught up with John Blakeley, one of the people behind the Ear Trumpet Folk Club based in Bristol, a fortnightly intimate sit-down live music event at The Wardrobe Theatre. He’s also a member of Sheelanagig whose groove laden arrangements are inspired by the folk music of Europe and beyond.
John’s attraction to folk music can be traced back to his childhood. Whilst his parents’ record collection of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell offered some exposure, those folk roots go a lot deeper. “My Dad is a Morris Dancer and we would tour the festivals in the summer, Sidmouth was always a big inspiration. I then went on to study music at Dartington College of Arts which out of that we formed the band Sheelanagig. While touring we came into contact with so many great acts I wanted to host in Bristol hence starting the club and its always nice to give back what so many people have given me whilst touring. There is nothing better than playing to a great audience in a great space whilst on the road!” John began started up Ear Trumpet Folk Club when The Wardrobe Theatre opened in January 2016 which he describes as “not so much a folk club but a listening music show for some of the great touring artists I’ve come in to contact with over the years.”
No stranger to touring he’s also had the benefit of experiencing many different venues and knows what makes some of them work well. Needless to say, he’s paid particular attention to this in setting up the Ear Trumpet Folk Club which he explains is “…very much not a traditional folk club. It’s more of a regular set of concerts we hold in an amazing art house theatre. Expect a focused warm atmosphere with raked seating that makes you feel like you are almost on stage with the performers.” He adds “I wanted to create a concert hall environment but on a much smaller and more niche scale that would allow a range or music from emerging experimental acts to folk legends to come and perform.”
As he suggests, the artists that perform at the club are wide and varied “From Folk legends such as Martin Carthy to Americana acts such as Yola or Sierra Hull to more indie folk such as Rozi Plain or Sam Brookes.”
We turn to the history of the venue which is equally as unique. John tells me that the venue was created by The Wardrobe Theatre ensemble who kept outgrowing their smaller spaces. Here are some words from them…
The Wardrobe Theatre is a fringe studio venue and thriving arts hub in the heart of Bristol showcasing the best theatre-makers, companies and artists from around the UK. In December 2015 we relocated and built a new arts space in the Old Market area of the city (explore our journey here), a shared building with The Old Market Assembly. In 2017 we welcomed 34,000 audience members and staged over 500 performances. Our programme is a lovingly curated mix of theatre, comedy, storytelling, live music, poetry/spoken word, dance, puppetry, cabaret, drag, improvisation, new writing and family shows, with an emphasis on emerging artists and Bristol-based work. Regularly throughout the year we also produce/co-produce productions of our own with dynamic Bristol-based creative teams and companies, shows which often go on to tour nationally (scroll down for details of our Wardrobe Theatre Originals).
We believe there is nothing like live performance. We are excited by shows that amuse, move and thrill you and which celebrate the unique feeling of sharing an intimate room and a live experience with 100 other people. We feel just as passionately today as we did when we started this adventure in 2011 and more than ever we are on a mission to make live theatre something that everyone feels welcome to, part of and excited by. A thriving and vital arts hub run by a passionate group of Bristol theatre-makers, we do things differently at The Wardrobe Theatre – come and see for yourself!
If you’ve not yet discovered Ear Trumpet Music then we encourage you to pay them a visit, the broad range of music on offer is very much in tune with that of Folk Radio UK. Just check out some of their upcoming gigs below.
Upcoming Gigs
Tuesday 12th March | 8pm
Leveret
Wednesday 20th March | 8pm
Effra (The Kingsdown Vaults)
Tuesday 26th March | 8pm
The Rheingans Sisters
Sunday 7th April | 8pm
MARSHES (ft. Beth Porter) plus STANLÆY
Tuesday 23rd April | 8pm
Moore Moss Rutter
Wednesday 24th April | 8pm
Mesadorm (The Forge)
Thursday 28th April | 8pm
Vula Viel – “Do Not Be Afraid” Album Tour (The Cube)
Wed 1st May 2019 | 8pm
Flook (The Station)
Sunday 19th May | 8pm
Martin Simpson
Tuesday 4th June | 8pm
Edgelarks
Wednesday 5th June
Nick Hart – Sings Nine English Folk Songs – Album Launch
Find out more here: https://eartrumpetmusic.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter