The Amateurs: Hongu Kongu

Folk never died, but went into hiding. The Amateurs relased an album with 13 songs that sound like they were taped in the early seventies. Hongu Kongu is a world weary album, despite its jangly guitar bits and a cheerful sounding ukulele. Singer Sarah Weatherson has a convincing voice with enough power to rise above the eccentric rhythms the band comes up with.

Any downsides? Yup, next time: tell songwriter Seth Chanas to refrain from singing backup. It's hard not to sing your own lyrics, but it can be done.

Tracks:

1. Records
2. Straight Home
3. Things You Only Know If You Don't Drive
4. Cool By Me
5. Living Alone
6. Dry Eyes
7. Falling Back Again
8. You're Dead
9. Mustard
10. The Water Of Leith Song
11. A Blow For Blow Account Of Last Night
12. Christmas Eve
13. Trouble Brewing

Hongu Kongu is released on Letterbox Records.

The Amateurs:
Seth Chanas: vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, hawaiian guitar, ukulele, violin, trumpet
Damian Malone: drums
Ina Hanisch: bass guitar, violin, acoustic guitar, recorder
Sarah Weatherston: vocals, acoustic guitar, xylophone
Simon Chanas: electric guitar

» myspace.com/edinburghamateurs

The Amateurs: free "double a side" single download

The Amateurs are a 6 piece band from Edinburgh. They are in the indie folk niche, a bit of a cross between Fairport Convention and the Handsome Family. Main man is Seth Chanas who has been playing in bands longer than he cares to remember. Their album Hongu Kongu has just been released on Letterbox Records. To celebrate you can now download both tracks from their Things You Only Know If You Don't Drive b/w Cool By Me single for free.

The Amateurs:
Seth Chanas: vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, hawaiian guitar, ukulele, violin, trumpet
Damian Malone: drums
Ina Hanisch: bass guitar, violin, acoustic guitar, recorder
Sarah Weatherston: vocals, acoustic guitar, xylophone
Simon Chanas: electric guitar

» myspace.com/edinburghamateurs