Folk Bands and Artists
Fishclaw
There is a dark side to folk music that is hidden in back alleys and backwaters. It revels in not caring about what is fashionable and instead treads a path that follows unexplored senses. It embraces the powerful possibilities of rhythms and sounds to merge and build, inducing trancelike and hypnotic effects in those who hear it. Fishclaw exists in this murky world. It looks at the world with fresh eyes and helps others to do the same.
Fishclaw are an instrumental group based in Colchester, originally formed in the summer of 2013 as a trio, comprised of accordion, fiddle/mandolin, guitar and electronics. They started out reworking traditional Irish, Scottish and Eastern European music to include influences such as alternative folk, ambient electronica, post rock and system music. Since 2013 they expanded the band to a seven piece adding double bass, whistle/flute, bodhrán and full drum kit. They have gigged regularly ever since and steadily built a loyal fan base in the area, creating a buzz to the extent that they attracted the attention of the local press. In a short space of time they were invited to play at Latitude, Leigh Folk Festival, FolkEast and Norwich Arts Centre. They have been asked to play several times at the well-known venue, Colchester Arts Centre, including support slots for prestigious acts such as Directorsound and Simon Finn. They were recently commissioned by Colchester Borough Council to open the town’s first ever 3d light show. Their live demo, Black Crow, White Crow, was recently picked up by the BBC and aired on Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mix Tape Show on BBC 6 Music. Their first EP of the same name was released December 4th, 2015.
Fishclaw’s music since forming has morphed into a mix of up-tempo beats and melodies with traditional folk influences and immersive ‘soundscapes’.
“The brightest of folk with excellent musicianship… Fishclaw are wonderfully experimental and hypnotic, evoking wild and elemental energies.“ Squeeze Box Folk, Leigh-on-Sea
´´Fishclaw did an enjoyable, absorbing and exciting set when they supported at Colchester folk club recently... They are individually competent and talented musicians, playing instruments which give a range of textures to their sound. Clearly there are folk influences there, from Celtic to Eastern European, and they are already showing that they could push the boundaries of their music in a number of directions.´´ Paul Riley, Colchester Folk Club
“Colchester´s own prog-folk troupe, rapidly gaining new fans and set for great things.“ Colchester Arts Centre
“Fishclaw, a group I heard for the first time two months ago and loved.“ Simon Finn
“Excellent!” FolkEast Ltd, Suffolk
