Last month, we shared the news of multi-instrumentalist Andy Smith’s debut solo album, An English Village. Andy is one-third of the award-winning modern folk and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey, and on his debut, he combines English folk music with abstract electronica and offers a playful and often tongue-in-cheek look at traditional English village life. On the title track, Andy introduced us to the many sounds and objects that make up life in a “typical” English village (watch it here).
As we say goodbye to summer, Andy looks back to the summers of our childhood in this latest Folk Radio UK video exclusive.
‘Holiday Time’ showcases his unique style and his ability to create a distinctive sound that is both nostalgic and modern. The album is a must-listen for fans of English folk music and those looking for a fresh take on traditional music.
Smith designed the album as a meander through an English village, taking in the sights and sounds along the way. Despite his hints at it being tongue-in-cheek, it also serves as a reminder of how village life can remain frozen in time (well, at least that’s how it feels where I am – the flower show is still a place of friendly rivalry, and we even have a wonky carrot trophy).
The first track, “An English Village”, introduces us to the many sounds and objects that make up life in a “typical” English village, and then we pass the local school with track two, “Proud of our healthy children”. This may evoke some wry smiles. We wander on and pass a sign which introduces us to “The Horticultural Society” and their many endeavours. One of the projects the society is involved in is the upkeep of the “Local War Memorial”. Track five leads us into that staple of English life, the Council offices in “Meanwhile a council meeting”, where we have a glimpse at local government. Then it is everyone’s favourite time, “Time for tea”, it might even be a good idea to pause the album here and make yourself a lovely cuppa.
After tea, the sun starts setting, and as darkness falls, we encounter some “Shennanigans up the Manor House”; if we leave here with feelings of dread and horror, we will need some guidance, and luckily, track eight is “Sunday is Church Day” introducing us to the local vicar. The best advice in this situation is possibly a break from it all, and so track nine lets us look in on a local family as they go on their annual holiday for a well-deserved rest in “Holiday Time”. After the holidays, the nights draw in, and the year swiftly comes to an end, which happily gives us the merriment of Christmas time and “Christmas in the village”. Now we can settle down and look back on all we have learnt on our journey during the final track, “An English Village Reprise,” and then it is time for another cuppa, and to put the album on again.
It’s a pastoral delight, the sonic equivalent of eating fish fingers and chips on a stormy day while listening to the shipping forecast. One to cosy up with for winter.
An English Village by Andy Smith will be released on October 1st on streaming platforms and is available to download now at https://andysin65.bandcamp.com/album/an-english-village