We were recently contacted by Tamsin Elliott of Solana who shared with us a music documentary she recently directed. It follows the eight musicians living at her small house in Bristol during lockdown. They include folk award nominee Sid Goldsmith who also co-produced the film with Tamsin as well as members of Solana, Young Waters and Hands of the Heron.
They asked if we’d like to premiere the film which you can watch below. Inspiring, joyous and moving it’s a beautiful insight into an incredibly talented community and one that deserves to be celebrated. It’s also a community that we love here at Folk Radio so please support the effort that went into making this film as well as those artists featured through the links given below. Please also share it with your friends.
Tamsin Elliott:
These are unique and troubling times. As artists, our identities often feel tied to our output, and the contact of performance reinforces our sense of worth. What happens when this is taken away from us? Where do we find meaning? How do we deal with the uncertainty around the return of our livelihoods?
From The Coop (part 1) is a 40 minute music documentary which follows eight musicians living at a small house in Bristol during lockdown. We are all full-time artists and the film looks at the effect Covid-19 has had on us, as well as showcasing the creativity which has come out of lockdown.
Having lost all of my performance work I turned to my camera to document what I realised was a pretty unique situation. I have been very lucky to spend this strange time with some amazing musicians, including Sid Goldsmith who co-produced this film with me.
The film features diverse musical performances ranging from original folk songs and instrumentals to Spanish rumba flamenca and a traditional Armenian melody. Members of the household share personal accounts of life in lockdown, and a poem reflecting on the pandemic ties the whole piece together, making [FROM THE COOP] a pertinent exploration of our emotional response to the crisis.
To note: Close Captions available
Many hours were spent shooting and editing this film, all for free. If you enjoyed it and would like to support us to continue making art, you can donate via this PayPal link. Your donation will be hugely valued and gratefully received. www.paypal.me/tamsinelliott
Also please check out and follow the artists’ own projects linked below and support them if you can!
Artists Featured:
Rowan Elliott: www.solanamusica.co.uk
Elio Arauz de Marcos: www.facebook.com/theglobocollective
Sid Goldsmith: www.facebook.com/sidgoldsmith
Bethany M. Roberts: www.facebook.com/bethanymrobertsmusic
Thomas Hodson: www.thomashodsonmusic.com
Leeem: www.facebook.com/Leeem.music
Anonymous They: www.facebook.com/anonymousthey
Tamsin Elliott: www.facebook.com/tamsinsolanum
Info & Credits:
Directed by Tamsin Elliott
Produced by Tamsin Elliott and Sid Goldsmith
Audio production by Sid Goldsmith
Brambles (poem) by Bethany Roberts
Soundscape to Brambles by Rowan Elliott
Joy of Living by Ewan MacColl
Arranged and performed by Sid Goldsmith
Havasi Club by Tom Hodson
Arranged and performed by Tom Hodson, Liam O’Connell and Rowan Elliott
The Long Woman by Anonymous They
Performed by Anonymous They
Lament by Tamsin Elliott
Arranged and performed by Tamsin and Rowan Elliott
Volando Voy by Kiko Veneno
Arranged and performed by Elio Arauz de Marcos
Nubar Nubar – Traditional Armenian
Arranged and performed by Tom Hodson, Tamsin Elliott, Liam O’Connell, Sid Goldsmith, Rowan Elliott, Bethany Roberts, Claire Vine and Elio Arauz de Marcos.
Trece Catorce by Solana