In the run-up to their gig at the Aberdare Coliseum, Buzz caught up with Becky Unthank and learnt about a boat built from pencils, why history goes hand in hand with folk music, and the story behind their unusual name.
Your new album implies an appreciation of history and for paying respects to past events, for example Close The Coalhouse Door which references the 1966 Aberfan disaster. Did you choose the Coliseum for its association with mining communities?
In some ways, history is what folk music is all about; in that folk music provides an alternative, oral account of the past. The subject matter of folk music is much more important to us than thinking of folk music as a style of music. We’ve done lots of mining songs, such as the one you mention, Patience Kershaw, Guard Your Man Well, and recently we arranged the Trimdon Grange Explosion for our project with the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. It’s been really frustrating that so far we’ve haven’t managed to bring the brass project to Wales – with its mining and brass history – so it’s nice at least to be making it to some of those areas on this tour.
Could you tell us a bit about your involvement with The Boat Project?
The Boat Project is an album of songs by different songwriters, inspired by stories that have come from the public. A performance art company called Lone Twin are building a boat made from items donated by the public. Wooden things from pianos to pencils have been donated, accompanied by all kinds of human tales: some tragic, some funny, some historical, some romantic. It’s not about the wood or the boat really, it’s about storytelling and sharing. It launches this summer and will sail around various South Coast festivals before being towed inland to Milton Keynes, where it will be exhibited at Milton Keynes International Festival.
The festival has commissioned Adrian McNally (our producer, pianist, manager and Rachel’s husband) to curate and produce a record of songs inspired by the stories. Adrian is working with all kinds of artists at the moment, and The Unthanks will be contributing to the record.
How did you come to tour with Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell?
We’ve been hooked on them a good while now, charmed and impressed by both their traditional and self-penned songs; we’ve found an excuse to have them on tour with us as much as possible. On this tour, our sets will be quite integrated and interactive, rather than the conventional support-followed-by-headline.
“An Intimate Evening with the Unthanks” sounds pretty cosy. What are your five ingredients for the perfect get-together?
Mine would have to be good company first of all, something delicious to eat and drink, a story to tell and some singing of course! At our intimate evening we won’t be cooking your dinner so you’ll have to have it before you come, but hopefully we can provide the company, singing and a story or two.
I joke, but in fact we run our own singing weekends in a bunkhouse up in Northumberland, where we cook for everyone, do loads of singing, harmony workshops, then walk on the beach and end up in the pub. People come from all over and it’s always a joy. If you’re interested in this, it’s only available to members of our mailing list, so you’ll have to join!
Have you spent much time in Wales?
My favourite memory of Wales is going to the beautiful Brecon Beacons to play Green Man. The location is stunning and we loved the laid-back, eclectic feel of the festival. We’ve performed there a couple of times to a very warm and excitable crowd. We had a blast. Also I got to see Euros Childs on stage! Playing in St David’s Hall last year was pretty great too. And Gorky’s were the soundtrack to my school days.
Will you be playing much from your cover album on this tour?
Yes, we will be playing from the live album we did of Antony & the Johnsons and Robert Wyatt songs. We’ve been involved in loads of exciting projects recently, so we’ll be drawing material from those too, and also from past albums.
A little internet research on the name Unthank(s) led to ancient tales of unlawfully occupied land. Have you done research into your family history, and do you think this lovely and unusual name has influenced your creative path?
My Dad had done some research into the name. As you say it’s quite unusual, it’s a name from the borders of Scotland and England; we were once Border Reivers fighting over the lawless land. Coming from the North East has definitely influenced our sound, we love to delve into the history and the wealth of songs that reflects that history. We’re lucky to have a strong song and tune tradition here. The stark, bleak landscape has obviously influenced the songs, and in turn influences us.
Which animal would you most liken your music to?
A nightingale, because night or day, rain or shine, we love to sing! It heals and soothes the soul.
The Unthanks play the Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare on Thurs 3 May. Tickets: £18.50. Info: 0800 0147111 / www.coliseum.rct-arts.org