The Larks
The Larks bring to life English traditional folk songs unaccompanied and in glorious harmony.
They have been inspired by the singing of the truly unique Copper Family of Rottingdean, Sussex who have traced their singing tradition back seven generations and of these the last five generations have sung in harmony which is unequalled by any English-speaking singers.
They have further been inspired by the two most prominent English revival groups of the 1960s – the Watersons and The Young Tradition – who had a tremendous impact on the Christchurch folk scene of the 1970s and beyond. They also follow other major harmony groups like Swan Arcade; Blue Murder; Coope, Boyes and Simpson; and The Devil’s Interval, other groups like Steeleye Span and Pyewacket who occasionally sing unaccompanied, and next generation groups like The Longest Johns, The Norfolk Broads, and The Teacups.
Not content to merely copy from recordings, The Larks carefully select their versions from a selection of sources often moulding them from several versions while maintaining the traditional folk sensibility.
They believe in putting their songs in their social/historical/cultural context and help keep their songs relevant to the 21st Century. Audiences get to understand why their songs are still relevant and get an understanding of the relevant social history both in concert performances and in workshops.
The Larks members have previous experience in shanty singing, bush bands, folk choir, and solo work. Since uniting they have performed at all the Brisbane folk clubs as a blackboard act and have subsequently been booked for longer guest spots at each venue, and have performed at most of the clubs in the greater South East Queensland area.
They have expanded their performances past folk clubs to more general music clubs where their enthusiasm, professionalism, and performing skills have drawn praise from organisers and audiences, many of them never having heard traditional folk songs before.
They have also performed at the local Neurum Creek and Maleny Music Festivals. In addition to concert performances they have sung at formal Gospel, shanty, and Gentle Song sessions.
Best of all they love singing these old songs and their enthusiasm is catching. They welcome audiences to join in their choruses and refrains. They are also used to singing in sessions and look forward to singing in informal sessions at the festival.