The debut Rolling Folk album offers 10 new songs from the pen of Virginia Kettle,
covering a range of styles and themes but united by Virginia’s observational instincts, whether they are focussed on the world around her, or directed at her own experiences and emotions. All human life is here, from the glory and passion of love, to its disappointments and pain, from the whole wide world to the intimacy of kitchen sink dramas. The single, ‘Trouble’ tells us everything we need to know about its writer – whatever she does, wherever she goes, it will always find her. Already a firm live favourite, it is a fabulous choice to introduce Rolling Folk to the wider world.,
The album title East of Elsewhere comes from her past travels and current life as a touring musician – the momentary feeling of geographical disorientation of a morning – wondering where you are, just as you wake up!!
VIRGINIA KETTLE
Born in Manchester, raised in Chester and shaped by a lifetime of music and adventure, Virginia had long been a solo-singer songwriter under her maiden name of Virginia Barret, releasing 2 albums, The Quiet Bridge and Sense Of Human, before joining husband John and his two brothers as they formed the folk-rock leviathan that Merry Hell has become.
At the very heart of Merry Hell, her songs and energies have helped drive the band ever upwards, giving a significant outlet to her creativity, providing anthems such as Bury Me Naked which had
20,000 fans swaying in a Cropredy field, as well as irresistible dancing tunes and slices of wry humour as seen in ‘VIOLET’, her solo tour-de-force during the band set, where she often forgoes the need for amplification and wanders freely among the audience.
THE ROLLING FOLK
As a prolific writer of songs, The Rolling Folk gives Virginia the chance to share a variety of
songs not included in Merry Hell’s sets. It is not a replacement for the band, but an additional
outlet for her creativity and energy. Offering the same level of songwriting excellence as Merry Hell, but a different, more intimate feel, plus additional musical explorations, Rolling Folk surrounds Virginia with a fabulous and interesting selection of players, particularly multi, multi-instrumentalist
Chris Lee, (Full House, Time Bandits, Family Mahone, Galleon Blast, Rad Co., etc, etc etc)
and percussionist, whistle player and flautist, Mark Wooley (Ade Edmondson's Bad Shepherds, Full House, session master and more) – as well as husband John, all giving breadth and depth to her musical and lyrical visions. She has been described by Folk North West magazine as ‘The best thing to happen in British Folk for years’ and who are we to argue?
The album is available from Amazon, Bandcamp, via Facebook or to download and stream from all major platforms – or just come to a gig! Drop In The Drink Records Catalogue number DITDM000001
The Rolling Folk
Virginia Kettle: vocals, guitar
John Kettle: guitars
Chris Lee: bass, mandolin
Mark Wooley: whistles, percussion
The fiddlers 3:
Egan Stonier on Winter in your Heart and Compass
Neil McCartnet on Steady As A Rock
Claire 'Fluff' Smith on Hurricane Blue, Sailing On The Inside, Lost In You and Tomorrow Is Not Promised
All songs written by Virginia Kettle
Recorded by John Kettle with additional recordings by Chris Lee and Mark Wooley
Produced, mixed and mastered by John Kettle
Includes unlimited streaming of EAST OF ELSEWHERE
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
ships out within 2 days
£10GBP
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
The debut Rolling Folk album offers 10 new songs from the pen of Virginia Kettle,
covering a range of styles and themes but united by Virginia’s observational instincts, whether they are focussed on the world around her, or directed at her own experiences and emotions. All human life is here, from the glory and passion of love, to its disappointments and pain, from the whole wide world to the intimacy of kitchen sink dramas. The single, ‘Trouble’ tells us everything we need to know about its writer – whatever she does, wherever she goes, it will always find her. Already a firm live favourite, it is a fabulous choice to introduce Rolling Folk to the wider world.,
The album title East of Elsewhere comes from her past travels and current life as a touring musician – the momentary feeling of geographical disorientation of a morning – wondering where you are, just as you wake up!!
VIRGINIA KETTLE
Born in Manchester, raised in Chester and shaped by a lifetime of music and adventure, Virginia had long been a solo-singer songwriter under her maiden name of Virginia Barret, releasing 2 albums, The Quiet Bridge and Sense Of Human, before joining husband John and his two brothers as they formed the folk-rock leviathan that Merry Hell has become.
At the very heart of Merry Hell, her songs and energies have helped drive the band ever upwards, giving a significant outlet to her creativity, providing anthems such as Bury Me Naked which had
20,000 fans swaying in a Cropredy field, as well as irresistible dancing tunes and slices of wry humour as seen in ‘VIOLET’, her solo tour-de-force during the band set, where she often forgoes the need for amplification and wanders freely among the audience.
THE ROLLING FOLK
As a prolific writer of songs, The Rolling Folk gives Virginia the chance to share a variety of
songs not included in Merry Hell’s sets. It is not a replacement for the band, but an additional
outlet for her creativity and energy. Offering the same level of songwriting excellence as Merry Hell, but a different, more intimate feel, plus additional musical explorations, Rolling Folk surrounds Virginia with a fabulous and interesting selection of players, particularly multi, multi-instrumentalist
Chris Lee, (Full House, Time Bandits, Family Mahone, Galleon Blast, Rad Co., etc, etc etc)
and percussionist, whistle player and flautist, Mark Wooley (Ade Edmondson's Bad Shepherds, Full House, session master and more) – as well as husband John, all giving breadth and depth to her musical and lyrical visions. She has been described by Folk North West magazine as ‘The best thing to happen in British Folk for years’ and who are we to argue?
The album is available from Amazon, Bandcamp, via Facebook or to download and stream from all major platforms – or just come to a gig! Drop In The Drink Records Catalogue number DITDM000001
credits
released February 7, 2024
The Rolling Folk
Virginia Kettle: vocals, guitar
John Kettle: guitars
Chris Lee: bass, mandolin
Mark Wooley: whistles, percussion
The fiddlers 3:
Egan Stonier on Winter in your Heart and Compass
Neil McCartnet on Steady As A Rock
Claire 'Fluff' Smith on Hurricane Blue, Sailing On The Inside, Lost In You and Tomorrow Is Not Promised
All songs written by Virginia Kettle
Recorded by John Kettle with additional recordings by Chris Lee and Mark Wooley
Produced, mixed and mastered by John Kettle
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