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Bridie Jackson & The Arbour – New Band Up North #29 Bridie Jackson & The Arbour – New Band Up North #29
(4 months later)
This Newcastle-based four-piece is putting a darker slant on folk. The remarkable voice of Bridie Jackson is beautiful yet haunting and the instrumentation and harmonies weaving around her are ethereal, and at times gentle, making their music even more moving. You feel as if you should be sitting in candlelight listening to their music with no distractions whatsoever.This Newcastle-based four-piece is putting a darker slant on folk. The remarkable voice of Bridie Jackson is beautiful yet haunting and the instrumentation and harmonies weaving around her are ethereal, and at times gentle, making their music even more moving. You feel as if you should be sitting in candlelight listening to their music with no distractions whatsoever.
Bridie Jackson & The Arbour is currently preparing to perform at Glastonbury festival after winning the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition. Each year there's essentially a huge battle of the bands giving new, unsigned artists from the UK and Ireland a chance to compete for a slot on the Pyramid Stage. Bridie Jackson & The Arbour have beaten over eight thousand acts to win.Bridie Jackson & The Arbour is currently preparing to perform at Glastonbury festival after winning the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition. Each year there's essentially a huge battle of the bands giving new, unsigned artists from the UK and Ireland a chance to compete for a slot on the Pyramid Stage. Bridie Jackson & The Arbour have beaten over eight thousand acts to win.
Jackson told the Guardian: "Just being on the long list back in February was thrilling, so winning is incredible. To add to the excitement, it was also my birthday on the day of the finals. Not a bad way to turn 30!"Jackson told the Guardian: "Just being on the long list back in February was thrilling, so winning is incredible. To add to the excitement, it was also my birthday on the day of the finals. Not a bad way to turn 30!"
They were, however, in "complete shock" when they found out they'd won. The Dancers were the natural winners in their eyes. How very modest.They were, however, in "complete shock" when they found out they'd won. The Dancers were the natural winners in their eyes. How very modest.
Starting as a solo artist and collaborating with lots of other musicians Bridie Jackson eventually decided to start a proper band and The Arbour got together about two years ago after Jackson met Jenny Nendick, Rachel Cross and Carol Bowden through work and the local music scene. They released their debut album Bitter Lullabies last year and got an incredible response receiving airplay on BBC Radio 3, BBC 6Music and Amazing Radio.Starting as a solo artist and collaborating with lots of other musicians Bridie Jackson eventually decided to start a proper band and The Arbour got together about two years ago after Jackson met Jenny Nendick, Rachel Cross and Carol Bowden through work and the local music scene. They released their debut album Bitter Lullabies last year and got an incredible response receiving airplay on BBC Radio 3, BBC 6Music and Amazing Radio.
They're now frantically preparing for Glastonbury, which isn't far away and have another project up their sleeves, which I'll get on to later.They're now frantically preparing for Glastonbury, which isn't far away and have another project up their sleeves, which I'll get on to later.
The music they're producing really does make you melt and at times feel very sad. It's simple and sparse and resonates through you. Crying strings accompany a sorrowful yet powerful voice throughout their debut record. Promises Are Broken To The Young is a track that stands out to me. The gospel harmonies are extremely powerful and the hollow sound floating through your ears makes it a little celestial.The music they're producing really does make you melt and at times feel very sad. It's simple and sparse and resonates through you. Crying strings accompany a sorrowful yet powerful voice throughout their debut record. Promises Are Broken To The Young is a track that stands out to me. The gospel harmonies are extremely powerful and the hollow sound floating through your ears makes it a little celestial.
The ability to go from this sound to one of moodiness and power is showed on the song Aliens. Then at the beginning of Mucky we hear Jackson sounding a bit more upbeat and the guitar plucks away at a much faster pace showing their diversity. There are addictive recurring loops on the album but also unexpected twists and turns that have you sitting up and taking notice.The ability to go from this sound to one of moodiness and power is showed on the song Aliens. Then at the beginning of Mucky we hear Jackson sounding a bit more upbeat and the guitar plucks away at a much faster pace showing their diversity. There are addictive recurring loops on the album but also unexpected twists and turns that have you sitting up and taking notice.
Since releasing their debut, they've brought out a double A-side after joining Debt Records in November last year. The first track is called Scarecrow and it oozes with sadness for a dead bride. There's also a re-recording of an album track All You Love Is All You Are, which vocally reminds me of the late Eva Cassidy.Since releasing their debut, they've brought out a double A-side after joining Debt Records in November last year. The first track is called Scarecrow and it oozes with sadness for a dead bride. There's also a re-recording of an album track All You Love Is All You Are, which vocally reminds me of the late Eva Cassidy.
It's great to hear cellos, violins and fiddles have such prominence on a record and what's refreshing to hear from Jackson is the fact a song is "rarely, if ever complete, they will constantly evolve, even after they've been recorded." Having no restrictions on their own work must be a satisfying feeling and no doubt gives them more freedom on stage to improvise.It's great to hear cellos, violins and fiddles have such prominence on a record and what's refreshing to hear from Jackson is the fact a song is "rarely, if ever complete, they will constantly evolve, even after they've been recorded." Having no restrictions on their own work must be a satisfying feeling and no doubt gives them more freedom on stage to improvise.
Keeping them busy in the run up to Glastonbury is a side project called Music In Museums. After getting funding from the Arts Council they're running a series of events and concerts in museums across the North East. As well as gigs and other performances they've curated their own festival called The Walled Garden, at Preston Hall.Keeping them busy in the run up to Glastonbury is a side project called Music In Museums. After getting funding from the Arts Council they're running a series of events and concerts in museums across the North East. As well as gigs and other performances they've curated their own festival called The Walled Garden, at Preston Hall.
After listening to Bridie & The Arbour you may be surprised to hear that they're ambition is to cover Michael Jackson's Dirty Diana in the Live Lounge. Now that is something I really want to hear. It seems Motown is something close to their hearts as they also said they "enjoy throwing shapes to Stevie Wonder in the tour bus."After listening to Bridie & The Arbour you may be surprised to hear that they're ambition is to cover Michael Jackson's Dirty Diana in the Live Lounge. Now that is something I really want to hear. It seems Motown is something close to their hearts as they also said they "enjoy throwing shapes to Stevie Wonder in the tour bus."
As well as practicing like crazy for Glasto they'll be planning a full UK tour and bringing out a new single in the next few months. With such a wide range of influences from gospel, baroque and flamenco I'm very excited to hear what they come up with next.As well as practicing like crazy for Glasto they'll be planning a full UK tour and bringing out a new single in the next few months. With such a wide range of influences from gospel, baroque and flamenco I'm very excited to hear what they come up with next.
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