About

"An acoustic wonder, what rock might be if created in Cambridge rather than Chicago" fROOTS


The band started life as The Sam Brookes Quartet, a folksy quartet with only 3 members! This aparentally allowed for the impromtu invitation of an audience member to complete the lineup much to the enjoyment of the crowd. We were always a little odd, we'd use an ironing board as a keyboard stand and a Henry hoover as a mic stand! We'd create drums with our feet and were passionately ramshackle! After the emergence of Sam Brookes, a solo folk singer who landed a record deal, we conceded our name. The Odd Folk seemed to fit a little better. After all "with a reputation for disorganisation that proceeds them!" we were the subjects of the critically acclaimed documentary How Not to be in a Band which was shortlisted for The Guardian's Random Acts series. Our second album, produced by folk award winner Andy Bell was selected in Bob Harris' pick of 2016 and we were honoured to close The Great British Bake Of final the same year. 

Morgan Val Baker

Ringleader, songwriter, blogger. An actor by training and trade, raised by musicians in the cuddle of Mount's Bay; Morgan is largely responsible for the running of this ship, and ultimately it's sinking!

Shelley Macphail

The 'Odd' one. The unique maverick. Shelley is an ear musician who can't read a note for love nor money but can play along with the best of them. Hugely talented but wildly unpredictable.

Oscar Bloomfield-Crowe

'The glue that holds it all together'. The root note. The explorer. The soundman. Oscar is another multi-instrumentalist, equally at home on the bass or some totally obscure African harp.

Andy Watson

Bang the drums. Keep your head. Raised in the bearded and beer bellied folk scene of the North, with a CV as long as your leg, Andy is punctual, practical and prepared for just about anything.

Louis King

Theatrical, transient, tremendous; Louis initially stepped in as a dep but 'owned it' to such a extent that he's become largely irreplaceable. His work rate is unparalleled, as is his knowledge of music.

Sam Brookes

The founding member, the calm and sensible tonic to Morgan's wild abandon and Shelley's unpredictability. Despite taking a backseat lately he's still part of the family, and his 'sweet notes' are unrivalled.
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