Hello all,

Apologies to anyone who wanted to see us at Cox's Yard or who plans to come down to Katie's on Sunday, but I've got the cough from hell and have had it for about a week now.  At first it ruled out singing, but we were still able to do an instrumental set at the Newhampton Folk Club last week, but a dry tickly cough has taken over and has killed off flute playing for the moment.

I'll hopefully be right as rain soon and we're booking gigs for the New Year so we'll maybe see you then!

Take care,
Kate

............

So, we went to Galway to do some recording and some recording we did do.  We have busied our way through about 9 complete songs and worked out some other bits and pieces.  We’re now back in the Black Country and working on backing vocals and flute parts, as well as starting some other songs.  In the next few weeks, we’ll get some percussion down with the help of our trusted friend, Dogtanian of the Dale, and we’ll hopefully get some fiddle, piano and cello involved.  Oh, and of course, ukulele!

 ....

In the meantime, we’ll put some preview snippets up for you very soon so you can hear what’s coming.  We’ve put some pics up so you can see how we’re aging and that…  Hopefully we’ll see some of you at some of our upcoming gigs!

 ....

Till next time!

Kate & Andy

 


Hello!

We're doing a gig for the National Trust at the Back to Backs in Birmingham on 8 August...here's some info for yeh:

Times:- 6.30pm-8.30pm 

(Please advise everyone to be seated by 6.20pm)

 

Ticket Cost: £10 Adults, £5.00 Children (10-16yrs)

What’s happening

 

A Musical  explosion in the last Back to Backs courtyard in Birmingham.

 

The Back to Backs will be hosting this special, inspirational event highlighting uplifting, faith and spiritual music.

You’ll be left joyous and aching to sing!!

 

Award winning acts performing will include:

 

Black Voices

Fola Irish group

Sikh Nari Manch Choir

So maybe we'll see you there...


 

EXPRESS & STAR
JANUARY 16, 2009

A floor spot at the Woodman Folk Club last year was so successful for Black Country based duo Fola

They play mainly original songs, mixed with some Irish Traditional tunes and the odd folksong or two.  Organisers of the club, which meets at Ashwood Marina, Kingswinford say Folas strength is in their engaging live performance.

'When they turned up and did a floor spot at the club last year they absolutely knocked us dead' they say.

I've been a big fan of Vin Garbutt ever since I saw him play at Cropredy years and years ago.  Since then I've seen Vin a few more times but never thought we'd be lucky enough to support him.

On Thurs we had a phone call from Della at the Red Lion Kings Heath offering us a support slot due to a last minute cancellation.  We were already booked to go out on the Sat so declined reluctantly as the Red Lion has a very very good reputation. Anyway, Kate came off the phone and told me and we just checcked who was playing out of interest.  Bloody 'ell (not the actual words used but you get the picture...) we've just declined a support slot with Vin Garbutt...  Err - quick rethink - fortunately the slot was still available and Della and Chris kindly offered us the gig.

The Red Lion has always been a tough nut to crack because of the high standard of artists playing and it's excellent reputation - we'd sent CDs in, called etc but it's difficult if you are not 'known', sometimes you need a bit of luck.. We've been playing for a bit now and I think we were due a little bit of luck.

We arrived to do the usual sound check and were welcomed by all so a big thanks to Della, Chris and Brian on sound.  Vin was doing his soundcheck and then we all introduced ourselves.  We did our soundcheck and then I went to put our flyers out - as you do. However, I couldn't find them..  I then realised that Vin was putting them out for us.  No one asked him to but it set the tone for the evening.  I can't saw how much we appreciated the kind words and support from everyone that we met. It was a great crowd, lots of banter and we really enjoyed playing so a big thanks to everyone.

If you have never been to the Red Lion Kings Heath - get yourself down there, if you have never seen Vin Garbutt or heard his music - do yourself a favour and visit his myspace or better still go and see him.  He is a fantastic songwriter, fantastic musician and all round fantastic bloke - a true gent (ok so I've used up all my 'fantastics' for the day).

A big thanks to you all

Andy n Kate

We are still a little gobsmacked by the recent review of our CD by Brett Callwood who writes in June/July edition... Go buy a copy - then go buy Brett adrink - cheers mate.

'Fola shine out like a beautiful voiced gem this month, thanks to a mini-album made up of five songs that are well played by guitarist Andy Lucas and sung by the silky voiced Kate Barry.

Fola know that there's simply no substitute for great songs, and they've crafted five that should appeal to fans of traditional folk music as well as the more mainstream minded.  Keep an eye on their website to see where they're playing next.  They're surely worthy of a night out'.

Brett Callwood  Acoustic June/July 08