Those Folk Life: Inside a Box

This disappeared into the computer equivalent of the back of a drawer a year ago but, hey, everything’s online forever, so no harm done. It took two years to release — and, serendipitously, they’re on tour next month so my timing is impeccable.

Those Folk play gentle folk music, perfect if you’re partial to tidy guitar work and close harmony. The duo is Clare Quinn and Lawrence Menard; it’s Menard’s acoustic guitar playing that is impressive. They’re based in Australia — well, Clare’s from Queensland, Lawrence from Louisiana. They met at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, fell in love, and moved to Queensland.

It’s largely well-trodden ground, but Those Folk do it well, and their voices lift it above the ordinary. There’s a warm, organic quality to their sound that makes it feel especially inviting.

There are videos of them playing live — and live is better, showcasing their talent. “They play not only folk music, but music for all sorts of folk,” says their Bandcamp. This album was recorded live in a converted dairy barn. See thosefolk.bandcamp.com for more.

They play The Coffee Stop, Leigh, on Thursday 13th November (free entry), and Brackenfield Village Hall, Alfreton, on Saturday 15th November.