Oldwick
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Oldwick

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"Changing the sound of folk music forever, Oldwick are a band with a great musical vision and style. Read below to find out what singer/songwriter of the band Lyla Foy had to say about them."

‘It's the next generation of folk.' Lyla Foy's statement is as bold and as refreshing as her music. From the deliberate and heart-wrenching ‘Father Lock The Door' to the upbeat and amusing ‘Dylan', a listen to Oldwick's Myspace page reveals the range and breadth of her and her band's musical talents.

It's difficult to describe Oldwick's music without attempting to create a new phrase or word that sums it up best. However, the singer/songwriter is on point when it comes to how she would describe their sound. ‘…it's hard to cut an original sound, but like any genre, you push the boundaries until you have something unique. I guess that makes it post-folk. Coined!'

It would seem that music has always been important to Foy. Alongside her band members they all share a love of the music of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and The Doors to name a few, whilst Foy's personal tastes include Emilliana Torrini and Wallis Bird.

On how she became interested in music she says, ‘I've never been able to get away from it. My dad had an Ella Fitzgerald tape playing in the hospital room when I was born, but when a much adored older companion bought me The Who for my tenth birthday, I got into rock n' roll.'

In addition to being a talented vocalist, Foy is also a gifted instrumentalist.. ‘Cazoo's are great because they are an instrument but it's essentially just your own voice.' However, the singer admits that her favourite instrument is the guitar.'It still hurts my fingers to play for long periods of time, and I like that. I never want to be so good that my fingers stop hurting or I know all there is to know.'

Due for release this spring, Oldwick's new album ‘Silent Be' is a departure from the current record, ‘Insects and Apples' which she summarises as ‘a collection of great pop songs chucked together.'

With the new album there is a greater sense of cohesion between the songs, as though the threads of a story are being sewn together. ‘…it stays on the same few themes and explores them until it almost gets boring. If it's not as instantly exciting then that's ok, ‘cause it's in real time, as it were.'

Produced and arranged by Foy and her band, ‘Silent Be' is an authentic and uninhibited collection of songs, enhanced by the creative freedom given to the band and Foy. ‘It made the album reflect how we are as a live band, rather than being a version of our songs with someone else's vision. Working with producers is wonderful and eye-opening, but not what this album is about. Most songs are about stuff we've experienced on our own and although I write the lyrics, we all have our own very particular sound and style which, given some time, results in something good.'

So what does inspire Foy to write music? ‘The need to write poetry, and putting it to music is the only way I want people to hear it. I think a song is more powerful than a piece of prose because you can almost taste the emotion.'

Oldwick's distinctive style lends itself to a new type of country music and if any genre of music was designed with poetry in mind, it's country. Speaking on the popularity of it as a vehicle for storytelling, Foy says it's down to the simplicity of the melody. ‘It's generally a softer sound, so it's easier to make out the lyrics'

Given the singer's dulcet voice and the cleverly implemented band instrumentals, it's almost impossible not to be moved by Oldwick's music. With plans to continue touring and bettering what already makes for great musical performance, the band are poised for even greater success this year.

In addition to her great musical talent, it is Foy's beckoning message to fans that is sure to inspire and excite listeners the world over. She speaks the words of the unafraid and pioneering. If there's one thing you will take away from listening to her music, it's the following: ‘Do try this at home.' - Koko Magazine


"Grapevine: New Music"

Musical Family Tree:
Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling and Cat Power

Unique Selling Point:
A haunting ability to soothe you to sleep or lift you to dramatic heights, with the same song.

Why should we care?:
The London folksters are based around the superb voice of Lyla Foy and stick to one simple motto 'Melody is king'.

Beg, Steal or Borrow:
The delightful 'Hoops EP' with superb limited hand made sleeves is available via the bands Myspace.

Killer Tune:
The gorgeous He & She from the EP.

XYZ predicts:
Emerging from a pack of amazing bands in London, Oldwick have a timeless sound and will soon be your new favourite band. - XYZ magazine


"Interview: Oldwick"

Interview: Oldwick
by JONATHAN
The delightful Oldwick have been charming the pants off Lazy Brighton for some time with their songs of fragile beauty; in the wonderful world of Oldwick, pop music can still be saved, melody is king and the gentlest of glittering always leads you to gold. Led by the swoon-inducing vocals of Lyla Foy, the band craft the kind of delicious songs we haven’t heard since Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks were at the top of their game. We tracked down Miss Foy and co and posed her some ludicrous questions, all in the name of love.

Describe Oldwick to people who haven’t heard of you yet?
Oldwick was once described as a cold imported beer that you can hear.

How did you form?
It’s really romantic, but let’s leave it there.

Who have been the main influences on the band?
Our friends first and foremost: Goldheart Assembly, Thee Single Spy, America and Fleetwood Mac, during the recording of “Hoops”. James also likes Hella, but I’m not sure about the rest of us.

We are huge fans of your “Hoops” EP, the packaging in itself is beautiful. Who made all the artwork?
Lyla

The Video for “World in Which” ignores both of the golden rules of film, namely to never work with kids or animals; have you always been rule-breakers?
No, generally we’re law-abiding, but when it comes to an Oldwick video there will always be a cat and a kid.

What have been the highlights of 2009 for Oldwick?
The “Hoops” Party and meeting Lazy Brighton’s Jimmy.

What can we expect from The Oldwick Xmas Party on 10 December in London?
Sets from Oldwick, Goldheart Assembly, Ocelot and Little Things, lots of celebrity guests, trays of cup-cakes, Oldwick pants, free gifts on the door, hysteria.

What memories do you have of Brighton?
Doing a gig in a vegan cafe basement, staying in a hotel and thinking it would be fun to introduce ourselves to the sleeping neighbours by way of bursting into rooms at 3am. And crazy golf.

I was recently in a club when a girl I’d never met before came over saying I looked unhappy and that I should “Dance like no-one is watching, sing like no-one is listening, and love like you’ve never been hurt”. I was kicked out within five minutes for dancing on a table to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”. What is the worst bit of advice you’ve ever had?
As a band, the worst bit of advice is: “How about matching outfits?”

My Dad once told me “never to talk to strangers”. In hindsight this is the best bit of advice I’ve ever had. What is the best bit of advice Oldwick have had?
Honesty and communication.

And finally, if the members of Oldwick had to all go on Come Dine with Me, who would win?
A good question. Probably Dan.

Play the hits! Head here to check out the band. - Lazy Brighton


"Feature of the Month - Oldwick"

THE SKINNY: Oldwick, a London gang of six, are winning over listeners with their highly organic, vintage pop sensibilities.

LAST.FM: http://last.fm/music/oldwick
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/oldwick
FREE DOWNLOAD: "He & She"


Have you ever wondered how the music scene would've evolved if the '80s never happened? We would've never known what Phil Collins could do with a drum machine or how bad Christmas music could really be. We might've even forgotten that there was a time when popular music was the product of a handful of elite, talented musicians and songwriters working tirelessy at what they do. Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting we forget the good ol' days or boycott VH1 because lets face it, there's not much else to do some nights other than watch Michael Ian Black make fun of Cindi Lauper's drunken dancing. I am suggesting, however, we remember music for what it was before electronics, despite my inability to actually remember it. Before synths and drum pads, there were acoustic guitars and voices and reasons to love it. Oldwick is the 2009 reason to love acoustic guitars, drums, pianos, and a stage of amp-less, eclectic, and passionate music makers.

Oldwick formed in the winter of 2008 out of the crumbling ruins of a few of the member's previous projects. They immediately spent time recording a short EP comprised of some of the member's back catalog of pre-written songs which quickly caught the attention of local Londoners with their old school take on dynamic, country-pop. They're currently playing the area, pedaling their cloth-cased cds, pants, bags, and underwear. Oldwick is amassing a handful of positive feedback on their debut, Hoops EP, and looking to aim even higher in 2010.

The opening track on their quick little ep, "He & She" reminds me of what my parents would play on the weekends while we all straightened up the house for Sunday lunch. Reverberated background vocals (fronted by backing vocalist Hazel Tratt) that sound like the very same that support Fleetwood Mac on Rumors permeate your ears as the band makes a cozy home in your head for a few minutes. Memorable folk guitar diddies by Dan Bell and front woman, Lyla Foy, are a humble but major component of the music on the ep. I particularly like the reserved nature of the music and how it manages to avoid what would critically deem it as weak. The band expands dynamically, and shrinks just the same with great ease, but never comes off as timid, just a tad insecure: they are, after all, just kids.

Piano driven songs are primarily the handy-work of Ben Folds, Coldplay, and a handful of imitators so when you stumble across something that sounds like Billy Joel or Elton John it's a nice change of pace. Oldwick's most upbeat track, "13," is just such a gem, steered by a hooky piano riff that dives into a haunting build-up movement that, quite honestly, helped dictate who was receiving Feature of the Month honors for November. As the band pushes through a bridge section toward the end, articulately, we're brought back out of the dark and into that authentically vintage piano riff, completing a monumental piece of pop/rock heaven.

As the album closes with a Beatles-esque, feel-good piece entitled "A Thing Called Love," you're reminded that the band is more than just a pretty voice and good song writing. Oldwick sports a talented group of instrumentalists who actually (dare I say this) jam and do so with great success. Pianist Jake Bowser supplies a solid comp to Dan Bell's improv, a southern styled folk solo with some impressive lines. Drummer Nicky Francis and bassist, James Ingham, who's said to have a soft spot for both rum and Hella, a two-man drum and guitar band that you need to hear to understand, prove their maturity with restraint, simplicity, and a tight rhythmic lock. In my experience, most bands are a balance: good comes with bad, and bad comes with good. Poppy bands with a great singer usually rely on that singer to carry them to fame just like Dream Theater got by on instrumentals alone because, yes, James Labrie is nothing extraordinary. Oldwick, however, though young and raw, have the whole package and show amazing promise. - Praise For Wallflower Magazine


Discography

Hand-made copies of The Hoops EP being sold via the bands myspace.

Photos

Bio

Emerging from a big musical family of friends, Oldwick are a 5 strong, 2 girl, 3 boy outfit from various ends of London. Formed in the winter of 2008 out of the ashes of various other projects, Oldwick recorded a backlog of tracks which instanly aroused interest from sniffing dogs and ally cats. Oldwick are currently seducing the kids of London with their light-dark, pop-country combo, reminiscent of a Fleetwood Mac/Feist/Belle & Sebastian hybrid. The band are currently putting on their own Oldwick nights in London, selling their lovingly hand-made merch (Cds in cloth cases, panties and long johns) and playing alongside long time friends Goldheart Assembly, Thee Single Spy, The Quill, Little Things, Stanley and others.