Nick Hall and Michelle Plum are Plumhall. We’re pretty familiar with them after witnessing their performances on several nights on the 30 date Fairport Convention 2024 Wintour. They have a new album – One Star Awake (our review here) – that takes their duo sound into broader sonic areas while they also have a film soundtrack credit (The Runaways) on their CV as well as two albums (Thundercloud and The Ghost Of Noise) under their belts.
Not surprisingly, Michelle and Nick join us for a Why I Love on the band they’ve observed at close quarters over the early weeks of 2024, Fairport Convention.
Why do we love them?
So many different reasons: their inspirational longevity; their eclectic, exemplary music making; their rich and fascinating history; their musicality, beautiful songs and tunes; their warmth and approachability; their effortless community-building skills (Cropredy is basically a huge, extended family reunion) and the countless, life-affirming memories they have given to me and so many others.
When did we first hear them?
Nick: I first heard them on late night television as a teenager, and have a strong memory of seeing the brilliant 1990 Birmingham Town Hall gig (featuring the classic Gladys’ Leap line up) and being blown away by it. Certainly, when I first saw Fairport live, my brother and I immediately turned to each other and said, ‘Oh it’s THEM!’.
Michelle: I was very late to the Fairport party – I only really started properly listening to them when Nick and I first got together. My first Cropredy was in 2008! I know, how dare I miss out for all those years!
When was the moment when it all clicked for us?
Nick: My brother and two friends went to see Fairport play in Masham Town Hall in 1992. The band were brilliant that night and, at the break, Ric Sanders walked up to us and expressed happy surprise that four teenagers were down the front of the gig!
My brother also got chatting to Dave Pegg during the break and Peggy persuaded him that we should go to the Cropredy Festival that year, which we did. That friendliness, and the stunning musicianship on display, clicked with me right away.
Michelle: It clicked for me at my first Cropredy in 2008. Witnessing the band’s versatility and sheer joy on stage, combined with their down-to-earth nature as they mingled with fans at the bar, was so refreshing.
How did they inspire us?
Anyone who has listened to Plumhall’s music will be able to hear the influence of Fairport. We work hard on our harmonies and Fairport are a huge influence on us in that respect.
Nick: Simon Nicol’s powerful, intricate guitar-playing style is something that has hugely inspired me, and is something I can only aim at but it’s been fun trying!
Michelle: The songwriting (from Sandy Denny, via Swarbrick/Thompson, Chris Leslie and more), often based on strong stories or fascinating figures from history, has been an influence on both of us. The band’s impeccable ethos is also something that inspires us greatly.
Favourite songs?
I’m Already There, Don’t Reveal My Name, Who Knows Where The Time Goes?, Meet On The Ledge, My Love Is In America, Portmeirion, Royal Selection No. 13, Honour & Praise, Red & Gold, The Hiring Fair, Cider Rain, Breakfast In Mayfair, Now Be Thankful. … The list goes on!
Favourite gigs?
We’re in a fairly unique position, being fans who ended up supporting the band on tour (as seen in the ATB coverage of the 2024 tour) , so singling out favourite gigs is a tricky one. As people privileged enough to have stood in the wings and watched the band at close quarters, their joyful and powerful show at Union Chapel this year on the Wintour must be up there at the top. They were extraordinary.
Our thanks to Nick and Michelle for their deeper insight into working with a band they’ve admired for a long time.
Here’s the title track of the new album from Plumhall:
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You can read more from our extensive archive of Why I Love pieces from a wide array of artists on an even wider array of subjects, here.
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