People
Puppets
Social Issues
Imaginary Friends
Music
Portishead
Radiohead
Sigur Ros
Trinity Roots
Gillian Welch
Joanna Newsom
Turin Brakes
Jolie Holland
Bjork
Fiona Apple
Feist
Sounds Like
Something written in a graveyard whilst holding a teaparty and singing nursery rhymes.
The Ragamuffin Children have been performing their ethereal alt-folk music in New Zealand since late 2006.
Brooke Singer and Anita Clark formed the group whilst they were living in a pirate house and studying music in Wellington. They had been playing occasionally at a small dimly lit venue called Happy, and soon decided they might like to record an album. With the help of some friends, they recorded in kitchens, bedrooms and garden sheds, trying to keep flatmates quiet, and birds from chirping while they recorded. (They failed; the birds can be heard...)
What eventuated was their debut ‘Werecat Lullabies’ released in June 2007.
The album was successfully received, and captured the hearts of many with its unassuming beauty, naivety and charm.
After the release they signed to Native Tongue publishing, and spent time touring up and down the countryside, playing living room concerts, bigger shows in bigger towns, making a music video and writing new material. During the summer of 2007/08, the young duo had opportunities to play at a number of festivals including the Parihaka Peace Festival, Canaan Downs Festival, Peregrine winery in Queenstown supporting Jose Gonzalez, and at various other events.
After a years hard work they headed off to Europe with the bands newest satellite member Benjamin James (also of Spartacus R) for a small adventure travelling from place to place and meeting many extraordinary and wonderful people, including marionette puppet makers, a famous music producer, musicians, clowns and a very nice family from Jersey.
They managed to fit in a few shows in Jersey and London before the headed back to New Zealand to record album number two.
Recorded at Wellington studio 'The Surgery' by Lee Prebble with funding from Creative New Zealand, The Seahorse Emporium promises a more mature and professional sound from the Ragamuffin Children.
The album includes instrumentation from some of Wellington's best musicians; A string trio from the Wellington Sinfonia perform upon a number of tracks. Jess Chambers, Rio Hemopo (formally of Trinity Roots) and Andy Hummel (Rosy Tin Teacaddy) provide backing vocals on the single 'Following the leader'. Michael Kane (Drums) and Tim Prebble (Bass), both from Wellington band Spartacus R, also feature. And last, but not least, Karena-Tui Miles-Hemopo (the fourth satellite member of the RMC) was flown especially from Christchurch to grace the album with her soaring backing vocals.
Over the coming months, Ragamuffin Children will be performing more shows in and around New Zealand, including a performance at CHARTFEST in New Zealand Music month and at the Christchurch Arts Festival.
Our Websites currently under repair..
Lullaby Music video
Hi!
This is our music video for a song called Lullaby..
It was directed and edited by our friend Rachael Linton, who is a awesome.
xx
Ragamuffins
Attic Concert Video
Here is some footage from a nice show we played in Anita's attic..
It was lots of fun.We had biscuits,lollies,fairy lights and cups of tea!
If you would like to join or take a look at our other videos you can view them at http://www.youtube.com/ragamuffinchildren
Live version of Reading the stones.
Werecat Lullabies
Our Debut album released in 2007, is available online at..
Wat up fam, I'm not usually into the whole mass commenting thing, so apologies if this comes across like some spam...but it aint! Just in case you haven't checked it yet...here's my new video for Whoa (remix with PNC & Flowz). Directed by Shahir Daud with a tiny $6000 budget and a solid 7 months in post production! Lemme know what you think and feel free to help a dude out by linking your friends up if you think they might like it!
Hi! Thank you so much for your friendship and sweet comment. I would love to travel to your country someday. I heard it's beautiful over there. I hope you're enjoying your weekend. Sending you lots of love, Embracing Angel :)
Hello Ragamuffin Children. This is our first headline London show for a very long time, to celebrate finishing our new album which will be out later this year. So come on down and have a good time with us.
...and of course don't forget London's Finest Folk Club, The next Lantern Society - Thursday 7th May at the Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, EC1R 3BL. Neartest tube Farringdon.
Hello Ragamuffin Children. The new episode of The Lantern Society Radio Hour is now on the air. As recorded at London's Finest Folk Club on 16th april 2009. Click the banner below to subscribe for free at iTunes, or simply use the player to tune in.
....
And do come along to the next installment of the Lantern Society at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, on Thursday 7th May.
Upcoming shows: 15-17 May - Wood Festival, Braziers Park, Oxfordshire. BUY TICKETS
18th May - Spectacle Records Presents: Your New Favourite Bands at Catch Bar, 22 Kingsland Road. Shoreditch, London. HEADLINE SHOW.
.........bought your CD today.........sooooo beautiful!!! My daughter Hannah Harding told me about you guys-she is a huge fan........can't wait to catch you next time in Auck!
