We’ve all been there: stuck in traffic jams, consumed by frustration, and questioning why so much of the precious time we should be spending on the people and things we love is instead being wasted on the mindless obstacles of modern life!
That is the theme of Travelling Salesman (out on 24 March), the new song by experimental modern folk and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey – and one that FRUK is delighted to share.
The second song in a new project (The Extraordinary Ordinary) to explore everyday experiences and emotions, Travelling Salesmen is a self-penned tune that draws on such age-old concerns as separation, love, work and travel.
Harp & a Monkey frontman Martin Purdy explains: “With this new project, we wanted to look at the kind of basic human emotions that run through so many old songs and stories and then put them into more modern contexts.
“We liked the idea of dealing with frustration, love, disappointment and separation through the eyes of a travelling salesman stuck in a traffic jam, as it seemed to resonate strongly with so many of the themes in those old songs about peddlers and hawkers.” The video has been put together by the trio’s artist in residence, harpist and guitar player Simon Jones, who has drawn on childhood memories of family motoring – including an old Austin Allegro, which will no doubt stir up some fond (or not so fond) recollections for many of our UK followers.
Promising a new song every three months as part of their new project, future releases will look at themes of loss, compassion, anger, creativity, joy and contentment.
Martin adds: “We are taking our usual approach, which is to be inspired by an old song before going on a journey with it. Sometimes we end up using some of the original melody or narrative and then building on it, or sometimes – as is the case with Travelling Salesman – it is just the broader theme that inspires us to then begin writing from scratch.”
Keep up with the northern trio by signing up for Harp and a Monkey’s Newsletter via their website: http://www.harpandamonkey.com/