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’ 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.’
