New folk album to support Southend YMCA

May 8, 2018 by Ray Morgan

June 2018 sees the release of 'A Place to Dwell', a compilation of new folk and experimental music, curated by Leigh-on-Sea resident Diana Collier (The Owl Service, Greanvine, Rif Mountain record label, Leigh Folk Festival, Ship Full of Bombs radio). It features an array of great contributors including Alasdair Roberts, Alex Neilson and Lavinia Blackwall (Alex Rex and Trembling Bells) Sharron Kraus (with Jon Boden and Fay Hield providing backing vocals), and Nancy Wallace.

With the photography for the project donated by Leigh-on-Sea's Steven Collins of The Owl Service and all artists donating the tracks at no cost (many of which are previously unreleased), all profits will go straight to Southend YMCA, a small local charity which works with vulnerable and at-risk young people.

Diana Collier not only works for the YMCA, but has a strong connection with the folk world as she is the member of several folk bands, and her husband is Paul Collier, Artistic Director of Leigh Folk Festival.

The YMCA is a charity close to Southend's heart:

Homelessness among children and young people in Southend is increasing in the same way as it has nationally, especially for vulnerable young people who are care leavers or who have experienced trauma. Southend YMCA provides supported accommodation for 16 – 25-year-olds and is working towards the provision of a new children’s home for younger children.

It provides mentoring and coaching for young people who may or may not be homeless but have different needs ranging from psychological and emotional problems springing from abuse or trauma to a simple lack of self-confidence. It has a fully equipped music studio which works on projects with young people from the town. It also runs an alternative provision free school.

A launch event for the album will be part of Leigh Folk Festival on Friday, June 22nd, 2018 7.15 – 11 pm @Twenty One Café, Pier Hill, Southend on Sea.

The following artists have been confirmed as performing at the event:

Alasdair Roberts

Circle/Temple (Dom Cooper from the Owl Service and The Straw Bear Band)

M.G Boulter

Goodnight Crow (Kate Waterfield and Daniel Forbes)

Robert Sunday

CDs £10 / downloads £8, A Place to Dwell can be downloaded or pre-ordered here