Having seen Boat To Row at Dot To Dot a few years back, I was instantly drawn in by the harmonies and ability to make a wonderful folk sound, with layers of variation. Some of this was fuelled by the boy/girl dynamic on the vocals, sounds blending and bouncing off one another throughout their set. With this in mind, I’m somewhat dismayed tonight to see this is lacking, the 5 piece stripped back to 3.
Nevertheless opener Freedom led by the banjo and a shaker in place of drums is instantly likable, reminiscent of Mumford and Sons with a little bit more edge. Meanwhile the newly written...
Having played Truck and Wood festival this year, Boat To Row are a reasonably new addition to the folk scene. We wanted to learn more so caught up with vocalist Mike King to learn more about the band…
MTTM: What initially inspired the forming of Boat To Row?
Mike King: I guess the inspiration came from wanting to try something new really. I’ve always loved music ever since an early age with the likes of Elvis Presley and Lonnie Donegan constantly rotating on my parents and grandparents record players. But throughout my teens I listened to a lot Hardcore and post-punk, basically music...
BOAT TO ROW /// A BOAT TO ROW, TO ROW TO YOU from B A N K S on...
Though avidly searching for information on Boat To Row, I’m astounded to find very little considering their effortlessly energetic, natural sound. Guitarist and lead singer Michael King fronts this five piece folk assembly, with his more than impressive, nimble finger picking, as they tally up the live show venues, playing at the likes of Dot-to-Dot, Moseley Folk and other festivals around the UK.
I’m taken back to my school days with A Book, A Bike, A Joy as King leads us on a nostalgic path to the easy days of youth and I let my mind wander as he romantically sings of the simple...
