The Familiars ~ Acid Folk Artisans

I love the Familiars, they are a superb acid folk band from Norfolk, making their own music and transporting the listener into a world of dark romance, epic fantasy and moving poetry.

They started playing together at Jurnet's Bar in Norwich several years ago and have to date released two albums, bringing forgotten 1970s Arcadian acid-folk gems back to life for an audience pining for the lost magic of Mr Fox, Pentangle and the like. They have also penned an original collection of works in this vein, 'Martyred Hearts'

We caught them at the Roseberry pub in Norwich on the 10th April; a charming setting that was perfectly suited to the intimate approach of their set. An hour in length, the music was flawless, the performances likewise. A wonderful mix of drama, dark fable and pagan mysticism, I was enthralled, having only heard their albums. In the flesh they were accomplished and very much in control of their artistry.
 The Familiars are vocalist/lyricist Joanna Swan and composer/acoustic guitar virtuoso, Thomas Conway. Guest violinist Vincent Maltby makes up the trio.

Jo ~“I heard Tom play and his style reminded me of the late Bert Jansch,” she says. “I knew I wanted to work with him right away.  After a year or so of experimenting with covers and reworkings, and a debut album made up of these (called Cunningfolk) under our belt, we got to the point where we were able to say - why not challenge ourselves a bit more and write songs of our own? We wanted to capture the spirit of the 70s acid-folk era, but find our own voice within the genre. Martyred Hearts is the product. It flies in the face of music fashion, perhaps, but that’s what makes it special.”

I have known lead singer Joanna Swan for a number of years now, having worked with her on the stages of the UK on numerous shows (including for my own company SFT) ~ she is a passionate and delicate artist who employs her particular focus with staggering detail. Her lyrics are sweeping and pastoral, linking fable and history with legend and metaphor. Onstage, she moves like a young Stevie Nicks, conjuring feeling and moments from the very air.

Having only heard the work of guitarist Tom Conway, I was delighted to see him play. He truly is a master of the guitar, creating sounds and music that was a part of him: a stunning musician, moving with each fibre of his body to create breathtaking melodies and sequences.

Tom ~

“We've drawn on elements of local history in our songwriting,” he says. “The Shaming of Agnes Leman is a cautionary tale about a real woman who was ducked in the River Wensum at Fye Bridge in Norwich, for lewd behaviour on a Sunday. We are hugely thankful to Dave Tonge, known as the Yarnsmith of Norwich, for having researched Agnes' story and written about it so extensively; with the information he provided, it was really easy to write a ballad that did her story justice.”

'We will make of you example, pretty Agnes, pretty Agnes 
We will strip you bare and shave you of your yellow hair so bright 
And naked to the cuckingstool through Norwich market lead you
And none that see, shall save you from your well-deservéd  plight'                                                 

Tom Conway of course has been a bewitching part of the fabric of the Norwich music scene for many years, making his name locally as a solo performer and also as one quarter of Echoes in the Well, an outfit which in 2013 made the finals of Future Radio's “Next Big Thing” competition.

You can see them at Jurnet's Bar in Norwich on May 6th.

'We will appear on 6 May at Jurnet's Bar for the The Music House Acoustic-ish Session!'

Booking enquiries for the band can be made by writing directly to the band at joannayorke@hotmail.com

Links to their work: http://thefamiliars1.bandcamp.com/

Website:

http://thefamiliarsduo.wordpress.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheFamiliarsNorwich/

I leave you with the lyrics of my favourite of their songs: it's a wonderful poem and even better when sung, so get yourselves down to Jurnet's Bar on the 6th May. You will not regret it.

Bridge of Birds

The Raven is the Prince
Of the birds of Prophecy;
A darkling hunch of Portent
Perched high and watching me 

The Falcon is the Prince 
Of the birds who maketh War;
A hookéd beak, a yellow stare 
He leaves a wake of Gore 

The Petrel is the Prince
Of the birds who bring the Storms;
His pinions stretching o’er the waves 
His cry of Torment warns 

But the Cuckoo is the Prince 
Of the birds that bring Sorrow to me; 
And since I took my Cuckoo in 
Nevermore Joy shall I see. 

The Lark he is the Prince
Of the Birds that hail the Dawn; 
A tongue as sweet as nectar sings 
The promise of the Morn 

The Owl he is the Prince 
Of the birds that bring Nightfall; 
And stealthy as the dark itself
Casts in his wake a Pall 


The Swan he is the Prince 
Of the Birds that dwell on Water; 
His mournful cry, by woman heard 
Of coming Doom doth augur 
But the Cuckoo is the Prince 
Of the birds that bring Sorrow to me; 
And since I took my Cuckoo in 
Nevermore Maid shall I be.