Hazel & Emily Askew
How it all began...
Well...born
and bred in London, Emily and Hazel were the children of two Morris
dancers so couldn't really escape the folk. They found themselves
growing up through the scene, with frequent trips to ceilidhs and
annual family holidays to Sidmouth Festival. As they grew older
they became increasingly interested in the music side, returning
back to school from the summer holidays wanting to start ceilidh
bands (when most of their friends would just came back with a tan).
They began various classical lessons at school and eventually started a folk band - the curiously named Rubber Chicken (don’t ask!). Over the next few years they gained experience, playing their first gigs, and were even the subject of a full article in Folk on Tap magazine (aged just 11 and 14). They also became interested in the dance side of tradition, playing and dancing for Morris, Appalachian and Rapper teams.
However, things really started off a few years later when Emily switched to the fiddle and Hazel decided she'd quite like to play the melodeon (as most 14 year old girls do!). They added a few songs to the repertoire and thought they might as well enter the New Roots competition as a duo, unexpectedly coming away with the top prizes.
Encouraged by this they then recorded a few tracks with Doug Bailey to use as a demo, which Doug then decided to release as an EP on his label WildGoose Records; and so Six by Two was created, a six track EP of English and French tunes with a couple of songs (and dubious multi-coloured front cover).
"These two girls came into the studio to make a demo but as
soon as they started to play it was apparent that I was looking
at a talent far greater than their years and equal to some of
the best performers I have recorded."
Doug Bailey, WildGoose Records
"What strikes me most is the confidence and skill that both
girls display in their playing, which belies their young age."
The Folk Mag
"One rather senses that God willing, 50 years hence this
little EP will be a collector's item and will fetch a fine price."
Dai Woosnam
The
girls spent the next two years working hard, making the transition
from promising youngsters to confident, skilled performers. They
travelled up and down the country, playing at lots of folk clubs
and festivals in 30 counties (and even at the Natural History Museum,
under the big dinosaur skeleton in the hall).
They became semi-finalists in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and were also the subject of an article in fRoots magazine. During this time they defined their own unique style, now focusing mainly on traditional English material.
Hazel decided to develop the song side of the repertoire and began researching material from books and old recordings at the Vaughan Williams Library at Cecil Sharp House. The girls also started working with material from George Gardiner's collections in Hampshire.
Their
father Bob Askew had been researching the collections and Emily
and Hazel took part in a series of concerts to promote the songs.
With all this experience under their belt, the girls then went back
to WildGoose studios to record their first album.
They decided it should explore mainly traditional English material, including a few from George Gardiner's collection. They also chose early on that they wouldn't use any session musicians as they wanted the album to show the full sound that two people can create.
So after many days hard work at the WildGoose Studios (and lots of lovely food) All in a Garden Green was born. From foot stomping dance tunes bursting with energy to refreshing interpretations of songs and ballads, All in a Garden Green proved that the sisters had stepped up to the next level.
"As more and more people adopt the mantle of traditional
music, it is wonderful to see how they treat the material with
respect and are prepared to put in hard work researching and collating
songs and tunes."
EDS magazine
"Hazel and Emily are engaging and talented young ladies
who are getting things right. They look set to adorn the living
tradition for years to come. Vote with bums on seats and hands
in wallets."
Living Tradition Magazine
"The breezy robustness of their musicianship is demonstrated
in the joyous way the two parts switch around, colluding and colliding
during the course of a tune set, adeptly maintaining listener
interest while keeping feet tapping....infectious pumping energy
characterises their performance."
fRoots magazine
"The big surprise when you see the sisters live is just
how big a sound comes out of two small young women and this feeling
is renewed by the impression made by this impressive debut CD."
The Folk Diary
The
album received brilliant reviews
and has been played by radio stations across the UK as well as in
America, Canada, France and Australia (and it's rumoured to be doing
well in Japan). The girls have also had a full feature in January's
Living Tradition Magazine written by Brian Peters.
As a result of all this, 2008 is set to be the girls' busiest year yet, with an ambitious list of gigs including an Easter tour, along with many festivals, folk clubs and a return visit to the National Theatre.
Check out the tour dates page and come see them live.