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Cruel Folk
Folk / Acoustic / Folk Rock

"Mors Longa, Vita Brevis"


United Kingdom

Profile Views:  15962




Last Login:  8/28/2008
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   Contacting Cruel Folk

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/cruelfolk  

   Cruel Folk: General Info
Member Since4/17/2006
Band Websitecruelfolk.com
Band MembersSean Holden has been a drummer since the age of nine. That might not sound entirely relevant here, but stick with the story... Having learning a little guitar at an even earlier age, the nearest thing he's ever had to a religious experience was the first time he sat behind a drum kit. Having had parents who loved music he was lucky in having a supportive environment in which to pursue this, and consequently he's played for quite a few rock bands, the best of which was Underground Zero, and also did quite a bit of big band and small group jazz in London before having a second life-changing experience at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2001. On this occasion, hearing the sound of a mandocello in Show of Hands' set led to an "I have to learn to play one of those" moment, and then to a re-discovery of the joys of the guitar, and the bouzouki and mandolin, and then singing. The singing bit also involved an unhealthy quantity of beer. He now plays acoustic music of varying styles with Cruel Folk and as a solo artist. He also built and runs the studio where Cruel Folk record, and maintains the web site. This is in addition to the day job. Paul Holden began playing guitar at the age of about twelve, because his brother did, then stopped at the age of about twelve and three days, because he could only play My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, and that was only recognisable if he told people in advance what it was. He then started again at the age of seventeen, and apart form a slight lull when he was married, hasn't stopped since.
InfluencesShow of Hands, Kate Bush, Martin Carthy, Joni Mitchell, Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson, Eliza Carthy, Nic Jones.
Sounds LikeA dark, sword-wielding horseman loitering outside the door of your farmhouse.
Type of LabelNone





   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Aug 29 2008 8:00P
Burnham-On-Sea Folk Festival Burnham-On-Sea
Sep 6 2008 8:00P
Weyfest Music Festival Farnham
Sep 19 2008 8:00P
Cambridge Folk Club Cambridge
Oct 3 2008 8:00P
The Milkmaid Folk Arts Centre Bury St Edmunds

Cruel Folk's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Cambridge Folk Festival and Fatea Records  (view more)

Cruel Folk to play Glastonbury  (view more)

FolkCast  (view more)

Cruel Folk have sponsorship!  (view more)

2007 was rather good...  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Cruel Folk
Cruel Folk write, record and perform original acoustic music in the modern English singer-songwriter tradition. A duo consisting of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Sean Holden and guitarist Paul Holden, their songs are rooted in the English folk tradition, telling stories of love, betrayal and death with passion and an open acknowledgement of the darker side of life. At the same time, Cruel Folk are unashamedly devoted to the ongoing renewal of this tradition by aiming themselves firmly at the acoustic music scene of the present, incorporating modern writing and playing techniques and influences ranging from Kate Bush to Jennifer Batten via Show of Hands.

Cruel Folk's debut album Love, Loyalty and Other Lies is available now, for £8-50 including postage and packaging.

Both of our CDs can be purchased by credit card or through your PayPal account: just click on "Buy Now" and follow the instructions.

The track listing is: Foreign Lands, Cold Blood, Before I Walk Away, Worst Nightmare, For the Cause, Magic's Almost Gone, What's Done is Done, Merry England, Greenwood Tree.

Our three track EP Three New Songs is also still available for £3-00 including postage and packaging.

The track listing is: Magic's Almost Gone, Worst Nightmare (short version), For the Cause.

Or you might just like to watch us live at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2006.

Cruel Folk Live at Cambridge Folk Festival, 2006.

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   Cruel Folk's Friend Space (Top 20)
Cruel Folk has 1151 friends.
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 Tom 





Cruel Folk's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 457 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Red Shoes





Aug 27 2008 12:32 PM

We'll be in Burnham on Saturday, hope to catch your set - See you there! All the best from Carolyn and Mark
Tinkerscuss





Aug 27 2008 8:01 AM

Brace yourselves lads ..... the Holden Sisters are on their way :-p See you Saturday ..we'll be there early enough to catch your set at 1 if not before.
Hope you stay around for ours at 4pm
For God While Sleeping





Aug 19 2008 5:35 PM


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Red Shoes





Aug 18 2008 9:48 PM

Hi fellow Fatea Showcase buddies, great to come back and listen to you. Hoping to get to the Burnham Folk Festival in a couple of weeks, mebbe see you there.
Best from Carolyn and Mark
Stuart Pendrill





Aug 18 2008 9:17 PM

Good to see guys again, this time in Broadstairs, you're still a good as ever. Keep it up, and I'm sure our paths will cross again somewhere.
The Jacobites





Aug 14 2008 8:25 PM

Album arrived today. Marvelously depressing and sadistic. A work of sheer majesty my friends.

Did you manage to use all of your splendid collection of instruments on it?
cruiser





Jul 29 2008 8:45 PM

h a p p y r o b o t s : s m i l i n g p e o p l e
(^.^)
cruiser loves you
jamie
x
The ICE Band





Jul 25 2008 5:41 PM

Hello hello gig not to be missed, hope to see you there.

Janie B
xx

Date: 08/08/2008 ( Friday)
Time: 20:00
Venue: - Moho Live, Tib Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1LN
Price: £5.00
Flier Web address - http://www. iceband. net/fliers1.
htm
Bushplant





Jul 14 2008 11:55 PM

lovely sounds, see you at hawkfest
Tinkerscuss





Jul 14 2008 10:06 PM

Hi guys - see you;re on at 3pm at Burnham. We're on at 4 so we should be able to dash across town and see you. Looking forward to it ! 4 Holdens, one town ...... can they handle it lol
cruiser





Jul 12 2008 11:50 AM

who is your sunshine warrior ?
have an amazing weekend
cruiser
(^.^)
x
Joseph OSullivan





Jul 10 2008 11:39 PM

Hi folks,thanks for adding me and for your comment!, your music is beautiful,I like it lots!,
Peace from Joseph.
IRISH makeover





Jul 10 2008 10:43 PM

Nice to have you as my friend Guys..

Thanks for the kind words :-)

Skully.
steelsunlight





Jul 10 2008 9:20 PM

Thankyou hope to see you soon also look forward to UZ0 soon
Truestan





Jul 10 2008 8:23 PM

Hey. Just thought I'd hang around on your page for a little. Just listening to the tunes idly. Wonderful vibes. Especially like the last track The Magic's Almost Gone. Beautiful tones. Beautiful sound. Ah.. Think I'll just hang around a little longer. . .
thomas hine





Jul 10 2008 2:58 AM

thanks for the comment (not so) cruel folk. good luck with the shows this summer! greetings from out west.

thomas
Matt





Jul 9 2008 9:24 AM

Saw you guys at Glasto. Thought your set was very funny. Slightly regretting not buying the EP. Any chance of a mail order? Do you sell on ebay or something?

The main song I wanted was the one about the Ex wife. That really brightened up my veggie curry.
Caprice





Jul 6 2008 3:00 AM

Thank you!

Caprice
刚子 (图利古尔)





Jul 5 2008 2:31 AM

thanx a lot!!
keep in touch!!
Jim Glennon





Jul 5 2008 12:13 AM

Hi Cruel Folk

Thanks for accepting my friendship. Great Traditional Tunes You Got Here - I love them!!! Also, thanks for checking my tunes out and leaving such a nice comment. Keep up the great work and have a great weekend my new friend!!!

Jim
lantern





Jul 4 2008 11:09 PM

Hello Cruel Folk,
I like your traditional folk music! I really like your profile pictures as well. Beautiful house with leaves and flowers behind you! You guys are awesome. :-D

Happy 4th of July!



From CA
Tis she herself, Tink ~





Jul 4 2008 9:56 PM

Hello Gents!

Thanks for the add! I look forward to gettng to know your music!

Tink~
Caterpillar Smoke





Jul 4 2008 9:30 PM

Caterpillar Smoke Thankyou

Nice hats by the way...I think we've been to the same festival!
b.e_cooling





Jul 4 2008 6:23 PM

Sorry I missed your set at the Avalon Cafe but I had to play at the Rabbit Hole and NOBODY wants to turn down the Great White Rabbit!! Hope you had a good Glasto'......... I know I did(!) Best wishes
Evan Burgess





Jul 2 2008 3:39 PM

Promo Poster
The Standby Brothers





Jun 25 2008 11:20 PM

glastonbury should be awesome.. have a gr8 summer! les standby
John Ford of the Strawbs





Jun 17 2008 7:02 PM




Hi Cruel Folk ~ You're not that cruel really now, are you? :) Your songs sound wonderful btw! Thanks so much for checking out NEW songs from 'Big Hit In India'! ~ Best to you!

Cheers!


 

Nikos Piperis


Is Online


Jun 17 2008 4:46 PM

Hello Cruel Folk!
Thank you for your nice comment!
My greetings from Athens!
Nikos
Oystar





Jun 17 2008 10:05 AM

Hey guys,
thanks for your comment. Just to let you know we've got 2 gigs set up at glastonbury now - 6pm Friday (Rabbit Hole- Alice in Wonderland experience) and 6pm Saturday - Shangri-la. So if it's 6pm and you haven't seen oystar yet...(and you're at glastonbury!)
Mendula





Jun 15 2008 7:45 AM