VIDEO
Notes: ‘It Draws The Same’ came out of a realisation that so many stories in folk songs and ballads are about women drowning. I was looking at that famous painting of Ophelia by Millais and researching murder ballads when I came across an interesting analysis of female death in folk songs. It talked about a kind of liberation in women’s suicide, in escaping her murder, and looking at that picture of Ophelia, so serene, I felt almost a seduction for that sense of freedom, which is what ultimately inspired me to write the song. I guess then the song is an ode to Ophelia as well as a critique of the way women are depicted in folksong and ballads. “When the waters too light it wears you out”.
Notes: ‘Green Grow the Laurels' (Roud 276)
Learnt from the Sandy Denny version , this is another story of a slighted woman.
In reclaiming her, I like to use another lyric from the song 'keep your love letters' as the title.
SHOWS
18/03/23 - Cambridge Junction, Cambridge
14/04/23 - Orpington Folk Club
17/04/23 - Green Note, London
02/08/23 - Cafe Oto, London (as part of Loathly Lady zine launch)
'Absolutely haunting' Emma Barnett, BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour
'an exceptional and inventive performance' Folk Radio UK
Alt-folk singer-songwriter Amy Hollinrake draws on folklore and mythology, fused with personal allegory, to create a distinctive contemporary sound. Drawing inspiration from women's stories in folk song and singer-songwriters such as Sandy Denny, Joanna Newsom and Adrianne Lenker, her songwriting is described as both cryptic and emotionally direct. Last year saw Amy appear on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, debut at Cambridge Folk Festival and record her upcoming EP ‘sad lady songs vol. 1’ at legendary Strongroom Studios, set to release this October '23.