Folk-al point

A new generation of smart and chic British folk musicians are taking the music industry by storm - and there isn't an Aran sweater or a leather sandal in sight.

At this week's Brits and at the weekend's Grammys, bands like Mumford & sons and Laura Marling picked up awards.

And musicians in Guernsey are now getting in on the act - with the return of a folk musician group that hasn't been seen in more than a decade.

Phil Capper and Chris Walden are two of the performers who are bringing back the Guernsey Folk Club.

Chris said: "We hope it'll be a feeder if you like for people who are sitting down at home writing their own music and it'll be somewhere where they can get to know other musicians, they can learn new techniques, there are different ways of playing guitar and mandolin and so on and people can ask questions of other musicians.

"I'm much more of a fan than a performer, my guitar skills are really limited to guitar hero, but even for people like me who just want to sit and listen, the Guernsey Folk Club will make a difference by organising small gigs that anyone can play at, in pubs and bars around Guernsey, starting with this place, Les Douvres Hotel, next week."

And with bands like Mumford & Sons topping the charts and winning major awards, it's clear there's a growing number of music fans with an appetite for folk.

Phil said: "You've got lots of that sort of music now influencing lots of different styles, so you even here it cropping up in the most unlikely places, even in the world hip hop and rap now those sounds are creeping in, there's a lot more acoustic instruments being played and effects that you're hearing in the music, it's great."

So folk is back - not that ever went away - and making sure it stays is what the new Guernsey Folk Club is all about.

(from CTV)