Hermione..vocals.. harp.... most instruments and arrangements,
Tracy Poole on djembe drum for 'Rosebud in June'.
Influences
In terms of vocal technique I've been influenced by female performers that sing in the traditional English folk style.
I'm equally influenced by the sean-nos style of Irish singing, and the emotional honesty of American folk and blues, especially the Apalachian 'high lonesome' sound.
My main recorded influences have been Anne Briggs, Joan Baez, Maddy Prior, Sandy Denny, Jaqui McShee, and Jean Ritchie.
Outside the folk genre, and within other styles of folk music around the world, I respond to whatever rings true and comes from a place deep within. I love Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Patti Smith, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, the Grateful Dead and many others .
When I was a small child, my mother tells me I was enraptured by a recording of 'the Bauls of Bengal', mystical Indian sages that sing as they wander.
Myspace leads me on a continuing voyage of musical exploration for which I'm extremely grateful.
My singing teachers and acting training have obviously been influential ,especially Paul Newham who wrote 'the healing voice', and Rachel Myer .
I've taken great inspiration from visiting folk clubs, Cecil Sharp House in London,and others in Brighton. A live situation, where there's a lack of division between audience and performers seems close to the origins of folk music.
I particularly love Thomas Hardy's books. They bring to life the world in which these songs flourished, and reflect their poetic and empathetic view on life.
I originally went into acting because of an affinity with the plays of Shakespeare,and circumstances led me to another rich treasure, the indigenous folk poetry and music of Britain, a tradition which Shakespeare knew of and drew from.
The scenery here on the north cornwall coast is wild and beautiful ,ancient, yet evolving in the present and I like the way this is mirrored in folk song.
I'm inspired by the sound of birdsong, The way it belongs to it's environment and the moment, it's unhindered physicality and joy, and I feel that people have the same inherent need to sing.
I love the sound of the wind, rain and the sea.
I aim to use my body as an instrument and to find it's natural sound, one that also expresses the experience of being human, now and through the songs of previous generations.
My own life experience, in particular, motherhood and the loss of my first daughter Athene, expresses itself through the deep universality of these songs ,but I'm also experimenting with some that I've composed, and have written many poems.
I come from a Buddhist family background, a mixture of English and Jewish ,but also full of the rich diversity of 60's artistic counterculture.
My earliest memories include listening to sitar music,and Tibetan Buddhist chanting.
Born in London and brought up in London, Scotland , Cornwall and the South of France, Hermione has studied music with various teachers since attending East 15 acting school in the late 80’s. Her interest in Folksong has grown with performance, especially that of England, Scotland and Ireland. Recently she has spent some time interpreting Yiddish folksong in a joint venture with her mother, the artist Dora Holzhandler, a Jewish émigré who came from France before the second world war.
You can see some examples of Dora's painting at doraholzhandler.com
Hermione’s first CD, Deep in the Wood , is a compilation of Jewish folk songs in Yiddish, as well as English and Irish folksongs that together express her cultural background.
Hermione Swinford’s approach to folk song from the British Isles is traditional, often unaccompanied or with a simple celtic harp accompaniment, drawing inspiration from the original context of the songs and the history of their collection. Hermione's grandmother Ruchla was a folk singer and her cousin Lionel Rocheman, a Yiddish singer in Paris, have been a source of inspiration. Hermione’s interpretation of Yiddish folk song is also heavily influenced by the English traditional style, producing absorbing reflective versions of the songs that draw out their elemental emotional qualities.
Buy Deep In The Wood -click here to purchase the CD for £5 +p&p using worldpay BUY THE CD
Also available from cornishmusic.com and available as a download from wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Mercurius Company are presenting a celebration of Purcell's 350th Anniversary, in a fully staged performance of some of his most inspired music, including excerpts from operas and incidental works. With period instruments, costumes and dance.
This is a totally independently produced and funded. Let's show all that despite economic uncertainty, financial crisis and turmoil there are people who still dare to dream and produce something exciting and inspiring.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
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