Welcome to Euan Blackman's "Kind Folk Club"
Review
If you are a fan of Euan Blackman, then you'll know his mission statement is "Alt folk for kind folk" and therefore won't be too surprised to learn that he has launched his "Kind Folk Club" on Soundcloud, for which he'll be uploading two exclusive tracks every month. (You can access it via this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-999772055/sets/the-kind-folk-club-demos)
The debut duo, I can reveal, are Euan's own "What Junior Said" and a cover of Phoebe Bridgers' "Sidelines": the latter whom he cites as a significant influence upon his own work.
The original song has already been described as "stunning" by Jack Saunders on Radio 1, not only beating me to the punch but demonstrating as to the reach & impact of the "Kind Folk Club" right from its inception. Musically inspired by artists such as Hovvdy or Pinegrove and deriving its name from Wings, it tells the tale of a profferer of unsolicited advice & lifestyle counselling and is apparently one of its composer's favourites from among his own work. It's an odd track, certainly "folk" in its delivery here (wherein it's described as a "demo") but shot through with jangling & the sense of a band dynamic just bursting to show itself: I'd be interested to hear a full band version if Euan ever decides to go down that route: it would make a good single.
The cover version contrasts nicely with the first track (no doubt this was Euan's intention) and while not only tipping a hat to an influence but also illustrating how her work informs some of his own, what struck me was how in the transition from one artist to another, he's come up with something which sounds to me like a third one: in this case early Simon & Garfunkel in terms of both vocals & instrumental accompaniment.
So there you have it: a strong (and kind) start to a very commendable venture & a club I'd be happy to join. I hope you would too: membership seems to be free & the benefits considerable.
I understand that Euan already has over 16,000 followers on Tik Tok alone (and 5,000,000 views), so it looks like it's shaping up to be a big club too….
