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Scout Beck
Features Writer
10:00 AM 2nd June 2019
arts

Celebrate The Seasons Through Folk At Square Chapel Halifax

 
Will Pound
Will Pound
Award winning harmonica and melodeon player, Will Pound and his collaborators bring an exuberant celebration of traditional Folk to Square Chapel Halifax on June 26th.

Through the Seasons , born from Will's album of the same name, is a show that incorporates music, storytelling and animation to create a truly accomplished and invigorating piece.

The seasons form the backdrop to the stories and song.

While loyal to the originals, Will and his troupe place delightful emphasis on the vitality and playfulness that exists within traditional Folk culture.

Will explains his passion for the subject and his own journey to here:

What can you tell us about Through the Seasons the album?

The album is a celebration of Morris and Folk dance tunes from around the UK and beyond. I have picked certain tunes and events which occur at the different times of the year and my aim was to bring the best out of the music and also create a soundscape of the seasons.

How do you feel about the completed piece?

I feel pretty happy overall with how it turned out. I’m also glad that it’s made a lot of people happy too! I managed to include all styles of Morris and Folk dance but with my own take on it.

Why Folk?

I was born into Folk and Morris through my parents. I had no escape! But it’s a great community to be part of.

Why the harmonica?

I had open heart surgery done when I was a child and as a result I had breathing issues when growing up. My dad gave me a harmonica when I was aged 10. Never thought it would be my career!

How is your health now?

Overall very good. I will have to have another op in the future but hopefully not for a while!

Through the Seasons
Through the Seasons
Did you have a prior love for the instrument?

Not particularly. But when I was 14 I was given a tape of New Irish Harmonica which was a Brendan Power album. That made me want to get better at the instrument. I’m now on Brendan’s website as one of his endorses of the Paddy Richter harmonica!

Would you describe the album as a celebration of Folk or a progression?

I think both really. I mean it’s more a snap in time of what is happening now and my personal judgement of that. I think the music and dance are celebrated highly in this record :)

Do you enjoy Folk for the musicality or the storytelling tradition?

Having now done Through The Seasons (the show) with fab storyteller Debs Newbold I feel more passionate about storytelling and have seen with my own eyes the impact it can have. Obviously I have a deep love of the music as it’s a major part of my life and story.

Do you have a piece you are most proud of?

I guess one of my earlier pieces I’m most proud of is Turkish Delight a tune written on the chromatic harp which I performed in my duo with Dan Walsh and also at Buckingham Palace on BBC2! I think my version of Amazing Grace on harmonica and melodeon is quite original.



What's next for you?

I have just got Arts Council Funding for an EU album and touring show which consists of learning a tune from the 27 States left of the European Union and working with a performance poet to take stories from EU citizens living here in the UK and to put them in a show. It’s in the early stages at the moment but we have some great guests involved already for the album including Liz Carroll and Dame Evelyn Glennie.

Finally what can the Square Chapel audience expect from the evening?

It’s quite an interactive show with music and stories from both the musicians and Debs Newbold. We also have some animation that brings the story together and keeps it in focus. Come and find out about the characters of the Morris!

Through the Seasons will be performed at Square Chapel Halifax on June 26th