LEWIS BARFOOT: “Vocals to melt the hearts of angels” FRUK.
“Barfoot’s voice, deft guitar-work and her perceptive songs blend magically to create an album to curl up with, and be thankful for” – JACKIE HAYDEN – MUSIC WRITER, HOT PRESS
Alt Folk artist Lewis Barfoot announces her headline Irish and UK tour to celebrate the release of her debut album, Glenaphuca released in March 2021. A gorgeous album that condenses modern maturity into a melodic simplicity. Described by Folk Radio UK as: “The delightful sound of a musician who is both an accomplished composer of original material and a torchbearer keeping alive traditional styles and song, Unequivocally enjoyable, Glenaphuca is an absolute treat”. The tour includes dates in Cork, London, Brighton, Frome and Stroud with a scattering of intimate house concerts along the way. Featuring popular singles White Dress, Sweet Dreams, Fisherman as heard on RTE Radio 1, Raidio na Gaeltacht, FRUK and across BBC Radio. Lewis works with an uncomplicated loveliness of sound, blending ethereal, evocative vocals with original compositions and reinventions of traditional songs from Ireland and the UK. Frequently compared to the likes of Kate Rusby, Sandy Denny, Maíre Brennan and Julie Fowlis.
Glenaphuca
Glenaphuca is a folk prayer to the ancestors. Poignant and profound, melancholic and beautiful, Lewis muses upon life, death, loss and the silenced feminine voice with the deepest grace. “There is nothing dark, dreary or morbid about this album, because Lewis knows that those who are gone before us are with us, are our constant companions. I think you will also find much beauty in this remarkable album” (Seán Laffey, Irish Music Magazine). In White Dress, an elegiac lament for Lewis’s mother, she ponders life after death, with The Fox and Twa Corbies she honours the natural cycles of death in nature and in Sweet Dreams she celebrates a life that has passed. “It is difficult to believe that this is a debut album, such is its assured quality” (FRUK). “It won’t be long before this hugely talented artist is well known in her own right” (Jonathan Roscoe).
Glenaphuca was produced by Lewis at Soup Studios, London and mastered by Pete Maher. Featuring guest musicians Elisabeth Flett (Fiddle), the late Matt Dibble (Clarinet, Piano), Hannah Thomas (Cello), Maria Rodriguez Reina (Cello on White Dress), Ansuman Biswas (Percussion) and Jonny Huddersfield Helm (Drums). Having previously performed in Irish folk ensemble Rún, Lewis has since cut her teeth as a solo artist on the London folk circuit, appearing regularly for institutions such as Nest Collective before moving back to her maternal home of Ireland.
Glenaphuca album review highlights
- “A Terrific Debut” (Mike Davies, Fatea Magazine)
- “The delightful sound of a musician who is both an accomplished composer of original material and a torchbearer keeping alive traditional styles and song” (David Pratt, FRUK)
- “There is nothing dark, dreary or morbid about this album, because Lewis knows that those who are gone before us are with us, are our constant companions. I think you will also find much beauty in this remarkable album” (Seán Laffey, Irish Music Magazine)
- “A balm for the soul” (Lillian Smith, RTÉ Radio 1)
- “That’s rather splendid” (Mark Liveridge, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
- “It is difficult to believe that this is a debut album, such is its assured quality” (FRUK)
- “An arrestingly good vocalist and song writer” (John O’Regan, Living Tradition Magazine)
- ‘Underlying the whole album are Lewis’s undeniably beautiful, crystal-clear vocals, vocals that could melt the hearts of angels. Unequivocally enjoyable, Glenaphuca is an absolute treat. More please’ (David Pratt, FRUK)
- “Lewis’ vocals rest in the same lovely featherbed as Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Marie Brennan of Clannad and Capercaille’s Karen Matheson” (Folking, Bill Golembeski)
- ‘A gorgeous album that condenses modern maturity into a melodic simplicity’ (Folking, Bill Golembeski)
- “It won’t be long before this hugely talented artist is well known in her own right” (Jonathan Roscoe)
Support from ROSE D’AULBEY: London based singer-songwriter Rose D’Aulbey wrote her first song aged 16, largely taking inspiration from her indie-folk playlist. But over the years D’Aulbey has proven herself as an explorative artist, with a sound that touches on many musical genres.
