People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Kitty Macfarlane
Singer-songwriter Kitty Macfarlane‘s debut album, Namer Of Clouds, was named as one of the Guardian’s best folk albums of 2018 with airplay across BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6 Music.
The album gathers inspiration from the sky to the seabed and is augmented by all kinds of found sound recorded in locations from Somerset to Sardinia including birdsong, waterfalls and the click of knitting needles.
Kitty’s new single, Half Wild, her first release since Namer of Clouds, will be released on January 29, accompanied by a video shot near Weston-super-Mare.
is needed now More than ever
These are Kitty’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Wildlife walk on the Downs
The Downs skirting Upper Belgrave Road – photo: Martin Booth
“Start at the water tower on the Downs and head towards the Avon Gorge, sticking to the trees that roughly follow Upper Belgrave Road. There are dips and muddy paths (watch out for mountain bikers) and at this time of year redwings, fieldfares and robins. I spotted a goldcrest in a hawthorn bush before Christmas. The route dives into woodland to the left of the little ranger’s hut opposite the zoo, and leads to the breath-taking edge of the gorge, and you can see the peregrine’s nest on the opposite cliff face. Follow the path round to the right, past the goats in the gully, to the ice cream van at the viewing point.”
Bristol Ferry
Bristol Ferry Boats’ Emily was built in Bideford and launched in 1927. She has run trips out into the North Sea from Scarborough beach and operated in Gloucester Docks as Heather Spray – photo: Martin Booth
“Rain or shine, Bristol Ferry Boats are a must! I regularly think up reasons to cross the harbour as an excuse to hop on these cheery boats. Can’t wait for a time when they’re up and running again.”
Friendly Records
Claude Cooper’s double A-side of Tangerine Dreams and Two Mile Hill is the first release on Friendly Records’ new record label – photo: Friendly Records
“Friendly Records is a grotto of musical goodness found on North Street. Tom, the owner, is great. A few years ago I did a gig there with BBC Introducing in the West. Ten artists altogether all piled in, streaming live on radio, and with a live audience crammed between the shelves of records.”
Around the top of Whiteladies Road
The British Heart Foundation bookshop is one of the oldest businesses on Blackboy Hill – photo: Martin Booth
“There’s a little group of independent shops at the top of Whiteladies Road. First stop for me is always the British Heart Foundation second hand bookshop on the corner. Always a treasure trove. The Brandon Trust charity shop is also great and the Local Garden is my go-to veg shop. Grab a coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice from Marmalade Cafe, just around the corner on Worrall Road, then head to the best craft shop in Bristol, Creativity. All are run by lovely, friendly, helpful people, the sort that will remember your face!”
A ghost sign for R Bannister remains in tiles on the outside of Marmalade Cafe on Worrall Road – photo: Martin Booth
Folk House
Online courses continue at the Folk House during lockdown – photo: Martin Booth
“I have seen some incredible music in the Folk House, located down a tiny alleyway on Park Street that you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. I’ve played here loads of times – I launched my debut album there in 2018 – and it’s one of my favourite venues to play as Rich who does the sound really knows what he’s doing. The cafe food is also delicious!”
Main photo: Kitty Macfarlane / YouTube
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