News of Isle of Wight musician, Paul Armfield’s pioneering new subscription service popped up last week, but with people’s minds on the general election, we thought we’d save it for this week. Ed
This May, honey-toned wordsmith Paul Armfield launches his Friendly Society, a unique subscription service that enables his audience to dictate the subject matter of his songs.
A favourite of the likes of Guy Garvey and Caitlin Moran, Paul has provided a bespoke songwriting service for several years both privately and publicly at festivals, and is now offering to write a song a month based on subject matter suggested and voted for by subscribers to the Friendly Society via a members only forum. In the same way patrons also get to vote on a song for Paul to cover each month.
Paul said,
“As a singer/songwriter in a world overrun with singer/songwriters I find myself asking the same two questions over and over: ‘What to Write?’ and more worryingly, ‘Why write?’ I established the Friendly Society to address these issues, creating a regular obligation to deliver, almost like a real job.
“I wanted to give my audience something back in return for its patronage, something unique and interactive that would keep their interest as well as mine, so in addition to receiving free downloads of my first four albums, each month subscribers will receive three exclusive downloads: a bespoke song, a cover version and something from my archive of unreleased material.
“My hope is that the Forum will become a lively place for friendly debate with members encouraging one another to come up with ever more challenging and entertaining things for me to write and sing.”
What’s involved?
An annual subscription of £30 also includes a 20% discount on all purchases from paularmfield.com, a 50% discount on the purchase of a bespoke song (a perfect wedding or birthday gift).
Not only that, but also an invitation to an online concert with a set-list compiled by Friendly Society members and a Christmas gift.
About Paul Armfield
After 20 years running a bookstore, Paul recently left due to growing interest in his literate, lovelorn songs, and rich, intimate voice.
With a rapidly growing loyal following in the UK and elsewhere in europe, his first album ‘Songs Without Words’ (2004) was produced by Ian Caple (Tricky, Yan Tiersen, Tindersticks), and his fifth and most recent ‘Up Here’ 2014 features Paul Butler of The Bees.
Having toured with the likes of Lambchop and the Go-Betweens, he is an experienced live performer with a charming, stage persona that draws you into his confidence. His translations of Jacques Brel songs have received rave reviews and his double bass playing can be heard most recently on Michael Kiwanuka’s hit ‘I’m Getting Ready’.
So why not sign up today? Head to Paul Armfield’s Website to be part of this exciting project.
What the musos say
But don’t take our word for it, here’s what those in the music biz say,
‘A buried treasure, heir to deathless troubadours such as Tim Hardin’ Gavin Martin in the Mirror
‘Everything about Up Here is exceptional. Breathtaking’ Simon Holland on Folk Radio
‘Uncompromising, elegiac, but staunchly non-sentimental’ Nigel Williamson in Uncut
‘Gorgeous..beautiful, positive and amazing. Ace!’ Lauren Laverne BBC 6 Music
‘Exquisite, extraordinary, almost unbearably beautiful’ James McNair in Mojo
‘A lovely lyric, a spellbinding song. This is really beautiful’ Guy Garvey
‘Heartbreakingly beautiful. An Album to be treasured’ Electric Ghost
‘A voice that could make the Needles crumble’ The Word magazine
‘Spooky, affecting folkish singer-songwriterliness’ Time Out
‘As toasty and lovely as Christmas morning’ Caitlin Moran
‘A Perfect example of English songwriting’ Maverick
‘Lovely, lovelorn songs’ Nigel Williamson in Uncut
‘An incredible collection of songs’ iD magazine
‘A solitary, treasured jewel’ Fresh Deer Meat
’Distinctively amazing’ Rudimental
‘A revelation’ The Scotsman
Head to Paul Armfield’s Website to signup.
