Hobbyhorse

Artist Information

Biography

Enchanting originals interwoven with traditional songs from the British Isles

Hobbyhorse's music is a folk fusion of musical and mythical influences from around the world. They offer stunning originals and have a soft spot for the traditional songs of the British Isles.

Hobbyhorse's sound is an intoxicating blend of soothing and exciting. They combine the raw beauty and romantic sounds of acoustic instruments and female lead vocals with the adventurous spirit of rock. Their vibe is mystical - an inheritance from their San Francisco bay area psychedelic roots. But they are as down to Earth as it gets, believing strongly in the power of real music - made by real musicians - playing real instruments.

"Hobbyhorse's music embodies the magic that is woven in the art of folk music ....it is authentic, spirited & manifests from the love of creation." - DJ Frederick

Hobbyhorse has performed at many festivals around the San Francisco bay area and beyond including PantheaCon, The Annual Midsummer Celtic Faerie Festival, BayCon Sci Fi and Fantasy Convention, Palo Alto World Music Day, Palo Alto Art and Wine Festival, Boulder Creek Music and Art Showcase Festival, GoGirls Music Fest, and many more.

Annie and Phil from Hobbyhorse also host a popular internet radio station called Radio Guitar. They are very proud of this station which plays mostly acoustic - all instrumental guitar music.

Instrumentation

Hobbyhorse can play live as an acoustic duo or as a band of 3 - 5 musicians. Depending on the venue we play with a set up of the following:

Minimum instrumentation:
Annie - vocals, guitar
Phil - guitar

Maximum instrumentation:
Annie - vocals, guitar, frame drum, cajon, gong, tibetan bowls, other percussion
Phil - guitars (standard, tenor and baritone), mandolin, bass, vocals
Kelly - cajon, percussion
John - mandolin
Rob - bodhran, percussion

Discography

Break In The Clouds (2006)
Bootleg Series Vol 1 (2004)
Wild Nights (2004) - Songs set to the poems of Emily Dickinson

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Hobbyhorse's internet radio station: Radio Guitar
• MySpace

Audio

• Yellow Feather
  Listen  
• The House Carpenter - Live!
  Listen  
• More
  Listen  
• Good Morning Moon (from CD Break in the Clouds)
  Listen  
• Lullaby (from CD - Break in the Clouds)
  Listen  
• Melasina (from CD Break in the Clouds)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Yellow Feather
• Lullaby
• Angus Og

Video

Angus Og - an original song inspired by the Celtic God of Love

Photo Gallery

Press

• CD - Break In The Clouds [+ Show ]
  

  This wonderful album opens with the swirling sustain of an organ, lilting percussion (bodhran?) quie...This wonderful album opens with the swirling sustain of an organ, lilting percussion (bodhran?) quiet, precise guitar and earthy vocals & builds from there. Traditional in one sense, quietly experimental in others, Hobbyhorse's Break in the Clouds embodies the magic that is woven in the art of folk music - and by folk music I mean music that is authentic, spirited & manifest from the love of creation rather than 'music industry' profit motive. Each song is a delight of discovery.
  
  Hobbyhorse is Annie Aronson and Phil Campbell. They have created an online music & art community at www.hobbyhorsecafe.com - an experience of sound and vision to explore and enjoy ... an online space to envision yourself sipping the most delicious cup of tea surrounded by mesmerizing beauty.
  
  http://seldomheardradio.blogspot.com/2007/09/release-of-month-september-2007.html

• CD- Break In The Clouds [+ Show ]
  

  I received your CD today - thank you so much! I find the music simultaneously stimulating and relax...I received your CD today - thank you so much! I find the music simultaneously stimulating and relaxing (if that makes sense), as well as being downright enchanting!
  
  I'll play three tracks from it, for sure [on my next show]. No doubt I'll get some other songs from the CD on-air on subsequent shows.
  
  

• CD Review - Break in the Clouds [+ Show ]
  

  ... The instrumental music alone is extremely well worth taking the time to listen to. There are a ...... The instrumental music alone is extremely well worth taking the time to listen to. There are a couple of songs, one in particular, "Goddess of Mercy" that I found easy to use while meditating and “Lullaby”, a easy simple soft tune one I use to ease myself with and I love the instrumentals in it. The entire CD has several sections where the talents of the artist are proven over and over again. While I have not seen them in person, I can only imagine from what I have heard and read from those that have had the opportunity to see them, it is an experience you soon won’t forget.- SageKatt

• Podcast [+ Show ]
  

  "Hobbyhorse's music has a gentle texture that will lead you into an enchanting and strikingly orig..."Hobbyhorse's music has a gentle texture that will lead you into an
  enchanting and strikingly original musical landscape. With its
  creativity and musicality, Hobbyhorse's song writing is an antidote to
  the formulaic music one so often hears these days. The lyrics are well
  crafted and their music has such depth that with headphones in a dark
  room, you just might lose yourself in its lush soundspace."
  ~ deò
  
  deò's Shadow Pagan Podcast
  www.deos-shadow.com
  
  

• Fan Comments [+ Show ]
  

  "You have woven an authentic unique tapestry of inner light and heartfelt spirit." - Michael T. ..."You have woven an authentic unique
  tapestry of inner light and heartfelt spirit." - Michael T.
  
  "fabulous Annie, loved it..." - Sharon M.
  
  "When Joni Mitchell sang of 'songs like tiny hammers hurled at beveled mirrors in empty halls,' surely she was referring to the music of Hobby Horse. It's truly magical." - Jayme
  
  "Reliable and ear tickling, their myth infused compositions put you up on a cloud with the use of alt-folk harmonies and delicious drumming." - Ne've
  
  

• CD - Break In The Clouds
  

  Very nice stuff. Adventurous folk. - Richard Connor, Producer, Shaolin Records

Setlist

Hobbyhorse plays a blend of original songs and popular traditional songs from the British Isles. Set list varies depending on the venue.

Here is a sample set list:

Yellow Feather (uplifting original)

5 Suns (powerful, mystical original with exciting guitar solo)

She Moved Through the Fair
(romantic traditional)

Goddess of Mercy (sweet soothing original)

Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair (romantic, well loved traditional)

Good Morning Moon (sweet original)

Sun & Moon (mystical, hypnotic original)

Melasina (dark, spooky original with cool surf guitar solo)

More (fun, energetic sing along)

Cupid and Psyche (guitar instrumental original)

You're A Star (uplifting, energetic original)

Lullaby (soft, soothing original)

Hobbyhorse has many more originals. Some more of the most popular traditional songs that they play are listed below:

Blackwaterside

The House Carpenter

John Reilly

John Barleycorn

Basic Requirements

Calendar