Oh lordy, I love your newsletters. Favourite bit this time: the photo of your desk. (I do so love a good working-writer's-desk photo.) And I'm incredibly envious of your travels to ICFA and Liz's play opening, while looking forward to having you two back on this side of the Atlantic soon.
I completely agree that it's shameful that Britain's great musicians, particular its folk musicians, aren't better supported. I, too, was shaped by the music of the Waterson/Carthy clan and wouldn't be the writer/folklorist I am without that formative influence. In a perfect world, there would have bells ringing and people singing all across these isles to mark her passing.
You asked for additional ways to support musicians. Here in the UK, the indie label Hudson Records does so much to support and amplify the work of folk musicians today -- plus co-founder Andy Bell is so often to be found behind the scenes of such innovative folk music projects as Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane's Spell Songs, Karine Polwart's brilliant stage show A Pocket of Wind Resistance, Jenny's Sturgeon's The Living Mountain (based on the classic Scottish nature book of that name by Nan Shepherd), Fay Hield's Modern Fairies project, The Transports (an updating of Peter Bellamy's folk opera), The Soundpost singing weekends near Sheffield, and so much more. For £10 a month (roughly $13.50), folk music lovers can join the "Hudson Club" to support the label and all the musicians they work with. In return, Hudson Club members are treated to exclusive music, podcasts, live streams, etc. Here's the link: https://hudsonrecords.co.uk/club/about-hudson-club
(The label was named after Andy's dog Hudson, who passed away last year. He was quite a fine little fellow.)
Thank you for noting Norma Waterson Carthy's passing, and her family's difficult financial situation. Their music has meant a lot to me too, and I've been lucky enough to see them live. And, as you mentioned on FB, we lost another great English traditional singer, dancer, and scholar in Tony Barrand last weekend. The Morris world, especially in the US, is in mourning.
So does the trip to France in May mean you won't be going to WisCon? (At this point I don't even know if I'm going to WisCon this year, but if I do, it would seem strange not to see you there.)
OOOOO I'll be at ICFA but very jealous of you going to Sarasota. I love going to the grounds of the Barnum house and sitting in the giant banyan trees! Plus, the bay is lovely. Alas, I don't even get an extended time there because I need to help Nisi with the travel.
Seriously cannot wait to see you, and give you the 50,000 hugs I've missed giving you in the past . . . how many years?? I'm glad you're helping Nisi, but really quite sorry you can't just come to Sarasota with us and show us the tree, and sit there catching up. Love you, doll.
I kinda wanna add '"Terrifyingly multifaceted"- Ellen Kushner' to all my publicity now. Thank you :)
Oh lordy, I love your newsletters. Favourite bit this time: the photo of your desk. (I do so love a good working-writer's-desk photo.) And I'm incredibly envious of your travels to ICFA and Liz's play opening, while looking forward to having you two back on this side of the Atlantic soon.
I completely agree that it's shameful that Britain's great musicians, particular its folk musicians, aren't better supported. I, too, was shaped by the music of the Waterson/Carthy clan and wouldn't be the writer/folklorist I am without that formative influence. In a perfect world, there would have bells ringing and people singing all across these isles to mark her passing.
You asked for additional ways to support musicians. Here in the UK, the indie label Hudson Records does so much to support and amplify the work of folk musicians today -- plus co-founder Andy Bell is so often to be found behind the scenes of such innovative folk music projects as Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane's Spell Songs, Karine Polwart's brilliant stage show A Pocket of Wind Resistance, Jenny's Sturgeon's The Living Mountain (based on the classic Scottish nature book of that name by Nan Shepherd), Fay Hield's Modern Fairies project, The Transports (an updating of Peter Bellamy's folk opera), The Soundpost singing weekends near Sheffield, and so much more. For £10 a month (roughly $13.50), folk music lovers can join the "Hudson Club" to support the label and all the musicians they work with. In return, Hudson Club members are treated to exclusive music, podcasts, live streams, etc. Here's the link: https://hudsonrecords.co.uk/club/about-hudson-club
(The label was named after Andy's dog Hudson, who passed away last year. He was quite a fine little fellow.)
Thanks, Terri! This is really helpful.
Plus check out Hudson Unearth, a new project devised by the excellent Lucy Farrell and Jenny Sturgeon: https://hudsonrecords.co.uk/hudson-unearth
It's all about songwriting, music education, and community.
Thank you for noting Norma Waterson Carthy's passing, and her family's difficult financial situation. Their music has meant a lot to me too, and I've been lucky enough to see them live. And, as you mentioned on FB, we lost another great English traditional singer, dancer, and scholar in Tony Barrand last weekend. The Morris world, especially in the US, is in mourning.
Dammit, I should have included Tony here, too. Thanks for mentioning. I'll add it or something.
Thanks! Sigh. Even at several removes from the actual deaths, it was a rough weekend.
So does the trip to France in May mean you won't be going to WisCon? (At this point I don't even know if I'm going to WisCon this year, but if I do, it would seem strange not to see you there.)
I hate to admit it, but I guess it does. Phooey! If only we could be in two places at once!
OOOOO I'll be at ICFA but very jealous of you going to Sarasota. I love going to the grounds of the Barnum house and sitting in the giant banyan trees! Plus, the bay is lovely. Alas, I don't even get an extended time there because I need to help Nisi with the travel.
Seriously cannot wait to see you, and give you the 50,000 hugs I've missed giving you in the past . . . how many years?? I'm glad you're helping Nisi, but really quite sorry you can't just come to Sarasota with us and show us the tree, and sit there catching up. Love you, doll.
Oh noooooooooo