|
Site Information
|
FolkWords Reviews'FolkWords Reviews' - listening to and commenting on the latest releases and folk music at all levels. That includes everything covered by the 'broad brush' of folk. From famous names and the long-established to that huge raft of music that exists below the 'mountain top' of success (only scaled by a few musicians and bands). Our aim is to bring folk music to the attention of a wider audience.
FolkWords regularly wanders through the folk world. We listen to musicians, bands, songwriters and singers - the 'established' doing new, the 'new' doing different and those just doing their own thing. When we find something good we'll let you know. Alternatively, if you find something good that you think deserves wider exposure then let us know. If you're someone we should listen to then get in touch or if there's an artist you want us to hear send us a link to their site. If you define your folk as acoustic or electric; traditional or nu, medieval or folk rock; Americana, bluegrass or country; progressive, psychedelic, punk or thrash. If your folk influences come from the West, the East and any points in between. However your influences ebb, flow and coalesce to create new, different, familiar or strange threads of folk. However you weave those threads into the rich tapestry of folk music - send us your work and we'll listen.
What you'll find in FolkWords reviews:
Contact us for a FolkWords review:
Album ready to launch? Send us a copy: Contact
Doing something in folk? Let us know: folkwords@hotmail.co.uk FolkWords Review Policy:
Submit material for review: FolkWords reviews albums and EPs but rarely singles and videos. We only review 'new' material - older releases are rarely 'news'. So if you decide to send us a recording that's a year or so old it's unlikely that we'll devote space to review it. However, we are pleased to receive hard copies of new material and releases at our 'earthbound' address, which you will find on the 'Contact' page on the FolkWords web site.
What to send: We prefer hard-copies rather than downloads due to the distortions of mp3 samples, also the reviewer can then review the entire package from 'sounds-to-artwork'; also there's usually more artist/ band information and frequently lyrics as well. Where artists' work is only available through download we do consider albums or EPs for review. However, we only review downloads if we receive an accompanying email with artist information, details of musicians involved, instruments played, track listings and lyrics (if available).
What you'll get: If we think the music is good we'll say so - if we don't, we won't. We reckon there's enough negativity in the world without adding more. So if we don't have some constructive observations to offer we won't say anything at all - so if we really don't like it, it's unlikely we'll write about it.
Two requests: 1. Please don't send us material that's 'as old as the hills' - just because you've found us on the web and fancy another review of an old album doesn't mean we'll review it. 2. Please don't let your PR agency send us multiple emails constantly asking if we received their press release, intend to review your album or chasing us for a publication date. Everything we receive is considered - and we do mean everything - it just doesn't all make it on to the site.
Our guarantee: FolkWords reviews are free, honest, unbiased, fair, written without influence and without corporate contamination, and we're happy to stand by what we write. All submissions are reviewed on an 'as received' basis, so sometimes there's a bit of a backlog. Never fear if you've sent it to us and we've received it, we'll listen - and if we like what we hear we'll post a review.
Please note: FolkWords is unable to return any material submitted for review.
"Top artists performing in the wid arena ‘folk music’ are the tip of an iceberg. Beneath the surface is a seething, creative morass of bands and singers that form the backbone of folk. Each in their own way, helping to support and grow towards that peak of success. Along with well-known artists, singers, bands and songwriters strive to build their place in the structure. Some may never rise above the foundations, but structures need foundations to stay up." "Perhaps it’s a need to find their place that makes many bands in their early days dish out covers of artists and bands popular at the time. That allows them to get a hearing (unless of course they are crap musicians). They are playing songs that everyone knows, understand and possibly relate to – an easier route perhaps than 'diving in' with their own self-penned material." "Today, the web enables artists to place their music in open forum without playing a note at a live gig. They beaver away, develop a niche audience and build a loyal following. They never travel miles to perform a two-song floor spot. They achieve (in some people’s eyes) success without having ‘served their time’ as a struggling artist. Is this good? Well yes or no – it depends on your view." Tim Carroll 2007
|
FolkWords News
|
