Zoe re-emerges with acoustic ‘Sunshine’

Singer-songwriter Zoë Young (nee Pollock) has re-emerged to the music scene from a twelve year hiatus with a re-recording of one of her most notable songs, ‘Sunshine On A Rainy Day,’ a song originally found on the artist’s debut album, 1991’s Scarlet Red & Blue. The song will be made available on iTunes on July 7, but fans can listen to the song on her MySpace page.

The new version of ‘Sunshine’ is a stripped-down, acoustic revamping, inspired by many of Zoë’s experiences during the many years she’s been away from the music scene.

Here’s a snippet from the press release:

The original free spirit, Zoë is now back in the UK, happily rooted near Land’s End in wild west Cornwall in a windswept cottage by the sea which she shares with her acclaimed poet husband Murray Lachlan Young and two young sons. But in summer she takes up residence in a Kazakhstan yurt – and hopes it doesn’t rain too much!

Zoë believes it’s high time to reclaim her landmark song – but this is a less fierce Sunshine: acoustic, rootsy, ethereal and Eastern with additional, thoughtful lyrics and spoken musings; a melodic melting pot of influences she has soaked up round the globe – percolated with Indian, Arabic and Mexican mariachi sounds. The end result is a recognisable hit, skilfully and sensitively revamped and delivered by her characteristic haunting vocals.

Without the pressures of record label agendas, it reflects something of the personal and geographical journey she has taken in the intervening years. Says Zoë: “I feel that it’s a new phase in my creative life. I feel very good about it. It’s not really a departure, it’s a continuation – and hopefully it will encourage some of my original audience to listen to the new album that’s going to follow.”

Recorded in the Chyglidden studio of Irish sculptor Tim Shaw near the small Cornish village of Mabe, the single features Penzance-based singer/songwriter Sarah McQuaid on guitar and backing vocals as well as Tiffany Bryant (flute) and Andy Jarvis (drums, percussion, trumpet, harmonium) – both members of Thistletown, the quirky, offshore Cornish band, recently signed to the new Big Bertha record label of Will “Song Man” Hodgkinson. *The single will be released on July 7 on iTunes and other music download sites. A video of the song, featuring Zoë and the guest musicians, will be available shortly.

This of course is excellent news for fans who have been wondering what had become of the cherished singer.

In addition news to the new single, Zoë has also recently collaborated with fellow songwriter, Sarah McQuaid and has formed a new band called Mama. Their full album is due for release later this year with the working title of Crow Coyote Buffalo.

Your Mom Had Groupies

I love creative thinkers.

Michelle Schwartz has spearheaded what I think is an awesome way to protest. Infuriated by Canadian Club Whisky’s recent ad campaign depicting dated pictures of men with slogans like “Your Mom Wasn’t Your Dad’s First,” and “Your Father Wasn’t A Metrosexual,” Schwartz has embarked on her own version of the posters, encorporating images of music’s most influential women as a way to fight back.

Below is Womenfolk’s contribution to Schwartz’s idea. Although my choices in artists are not necessarily obscure ones, I think they still fit well.

Be sure to check out Scwartz’s site to read more about the project and how you can submit your own version.

Version 4.0

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