Cork-based folk artist Lewis Barfoot has released her new single, Rock Me In The Ocean, with her new album Home to follows in November. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Home follows her debut album, 2021's !Glenaphuca, and she says, "Home is inspired by my journey of emigrating from London to Cork, the reverse journey my mother made in the 60's to escape an institutional upbringing in an orphanage in Cobh.
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"It is a healing, uplifting and inspirational album that holds a very tender subject with deep grace and love."
Lewis plays: 28 November - Whelan’s, Dublin. 1 December - Cill Rialiag, Kerry. 2 December - Marino Church, Bantry. 9 December - Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in Walthamstow at the edge of Epping forest. At weekends I would go into the woods with my Dad and siblings and we’d collect leaves, make plaster casts of animal footprints and as often as we could, get our wellies stuck in a muddy puddle. I love beetroots and grow my own in East Cork. I’m releasing my second album Home this November.
How would you describe your music?
Contemporary folk with a twist of pop. Think Kate Rusby meets Lisa Hannigan.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I grew up hearing my Dad playing fingerpicking guitar and banjo. He’d play trad folk songs and airs in the house and although he never taught me directly, the music got into my blood. Mum would play The Dubliners, Beatles and Peer Gynt a lot, she only had a handful of records so these were a sonic backdrop to my youth. Then when I had the freedom to buy cassette tapes I couldn’t get enough of Michelle Shocked, Fairground Attraction, Tanita Tikaram and Tracy Chapman. The Texas Campfire Tapes and First of A Million Kisses were a huge influence on me. I listened to them on repeat as a teenager. Could probably sing them both word for word. Although some of the crispy clear high notes of Eddie Reader are just out of my vocal comfort zone. And then the poetry and storytelling of Bob Dylan blew my mind and captivated my curiosity as to what songs could be. It felt audacious that a song could have so many verses and play the same chord sequence and be utterly captivating.
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What was the first gig you ever went to?
I can’t remember. It was the early 90s at the Brixton Academy and it was either The Pogues, James or New Model Army. Me and a group of the lads at school went to a flurry of gigs in that time. We felt like we had been unleashed, it was thrilling to feel live music like that: We would hoof it across London on the Tube, drink pints of Guinness in the local bars then bounce around in the mosh pit with the relentless energy of a teenager. I remember we learnt that it was a quid to hand a bag in, so one lad would bring a massive army kit bag and we’d all stuff our coats and bags inside to save a few quid.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I have no idea. I was 10 and went to the local record store in Wood Street in Walthamstow with my big sister. I had no idea about songs, bands, or what record to buy, so I choose one with a pale-yellow cover and a name that sounded good. We took it back home and played it and it was rubbish, so rubbish. I remember feeling really embarrassed and so we played my sister’s record instead. By the time I had a clue about music in my teens, I’d head to Woolworths in Walthamstow and buy 7" singles and even better cassettes as I could play them in my own room and didn’t have to ask permission to use Mum’s record player.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Home From The Sea by Phil Coulter/Liam Clancy.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go" - Michelle Shocked.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mother’s Love by Emahoy Tsege Mariam on the record, The Ethiopiques.
Where can people find your music/more information?
