Interview: Northern Sessions introduces rising Manchester folk talent Rachel Hillary
Ahead of Northern Sessions’ return to Manchester235 Casino – in collaboration with MM – Rachel Hillary revealed she will be a more traditional contrast from headline slot David Julien.
David Julien, from BBC’s The Voice, may be the most famous star for this acoustic set list, but Rachel Hillary’s music is ‘early folksy stuff’, and the emphasis is on ‘early’.
For 60s fans and for those curious about Manchester’s new female folk invasion alike, Rachel is set to be a highlight.
Northern Sessions on Thursday July 12 will be the second night in collaboration with MM and Manchester235 following its tremendously successful launch event in May, and the Stockport singer-songwriter will join another supporting act (who will be revealed shortly) on-stage for a very folky night.
Speaking before the gig, she said: “I’m influenced by Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez…oh and Bob Dylan obviously, but he’s the only male allowed on that list.”
The songstress and guitar-player made her first online appearance in 2010, when she uploaded footage of herself performing numbers in the hope of finding other musicians to work with her. She received plenty of acclaim and it wasn’t long until Rachel and mandolin player Daisy Preece joined the Eurocultured Festival in 2011 and 2012 as the folk duo Rachel & Daisy.
She said: “My dad was a very musical man from Belfast, so I grew up hearing traditional folk songs and being in lots of bands. I’ve been playing since I was five, but doing it ‘properly’ since I was 18. I performed in places like Trof Fallowfield and the pubs in Stockport. Well, the non-scary ones.
“Eurocultured was the biggest gig I’ve done so far, so I’m really looking forward to Northern Sessions. It should be a great experience!”
Describing her music as ‘poetry set to song’, Rachel has much in common with other nu-folk artists from Manchester, including Literature Thieves and Raven and the Lyon.
She also relies on spontaneity as a source of inspiration, much like the Beat poets – “all kinds of great things can happen by accident,” she added.
To spice the night up with variety, one of the city’s finest DJs will spin the best of indie, alternative and Madchester. Attendees can also expect a swanky cocktail bar and lots of gaming facilities, making the now open 24/7 casino one of Manchester’s most unique party destinations.
Be sure to buy your tickets before they sell out on the Manchester 235 website.
Download Rachel Hillary’s free EP here: rachelhillary.bandcamp.com
The second Northern Sessions will be on Thursday July 12 so be sure to buy your tickets here before they sell out. Tickets are only £7.
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