We recently announced the release of ‘You, Golden‘, the debut album from the London-based folk duo Owen Spafford (fiddle) & Louis Campbell (guitar) which is set for release on 4th November 2022 (pre-order via Bandcamp). Alongside that announcement, we were treated to a live performance of the album-opener Adson’s. For those of you that read my comments about this duo, you’ll know that it’s an album I’m really looking forward to; as I said then, they really do display a mastery and vision that, for a debut, is truly remarkable. This is reflected once more on the album’s only full song – Hares on the Mountain.
“Hares on the Mountain” is as close to a ‘standard’ as can be found in English traditional music, having been recorded hundreds of times by artists ranging from Shirley Collins and Davy Graham, to Alt J. In other traditions, the idea of ‘standards’, from “All The Things You Are”, to “Mohabbat” and “Whiskey Before Breakfast”, work almost as a control variable for understanding style and individualism. A fascination with this concept led to Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell choosing to include ‘Hares on the Mountain’ as the only full song on their debut album ‘You, Golden’.
There is a sense of alienation in the song which they focus in on, bringing in contemporary themes such as abuse of power in relationships. There is an intentional sense of discomfort in the arrangement, slowly unravelling upon repeat listens, which separates the interpretation from the more typical love song angle, with darkness, confusion and distrust highlighted.
A love of Bright Eyes and The National is clearly on show, alongside elements of 20th-century minimalism, which combine to make this centuries-old song feel as modern as the new compositions on the album while the live rawness of the performance maintains a sense of reality found in the best folk music.
pre-order You, Golden via Bandcamp
See upcoming live dates below.
Video by Rec Productions, Audio Mixed by Joe Garcia at Joe’s Garage, Bristol.
Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell Tour Dates
06/12/22 – Aces and Eights – Tufnell Park, London Tickets
07/12/22 – Christ Church – Bath Tickets
08/12/22 – Cobalt Studios – Newcastle
09/12/22 – The Boileroom * With Andy Cutting – Guildford Tickets
10/12/22 – Mill Hill Chapel * Support from Iona Lane – Leeds Tickets
13/12/22 – Gullivers * Support from Bonnie Kemplay- Manchester Tickets
More here: https://www.spaffordcampbell.com/live