Waking the Witch (band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Studio albums, live DVD |
Waking the Witch was a musical ensemble originating from Leeds, established in 2003. They performed at prominent festivals and produced three studio albums before disbanding in 2008.
History
The founding members consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum; Becky Mills took over Plum's role in 2005. Each member had an individual solo career prior to forming the group, which was named after a track by Kate Bush from her album Hounds of Love. The band featured acoustic guitarists and vocalists whose styles were shaped by genres such as jazz, rock, folk, and pop, drawing inspiration from artists including Coldplay and Kate Bush.
Their music received support from BBC radio personalities like Bob Harris, Janice Long, and Charlie Gillett, with the band recording sessions for both Long's and Gillett's programs.
Waking the Witch performed at several key UK festivals such as Glastonbury, Trowbridge Village Pump Festival, and Cambridge Folk Festival. In 2006, they were the headline act at the Holmfirth Festival of Folk.
Their discography comprises three albums: Like Everybody (2004), Hands and Bridges (2005), and Boys from the Abattoir (2007). The final album included guest contributions from Bruce Watson, formerly of Big Country, and Claire "Fluff" Smith of The Incredible String Band. Additionally, they issued a live performance DVD in 2007.
The band concluded their activities in 2008 after completing a farewell tour. Following the split, members returned to their solo endeavors but reunited without Parker for a single benefit concert in February 2010 to support the DEC's Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
Albums
- Like Everybody (2004), Paramijo
- Hands and Bridges (2005), Witch
- Boys from the Abattoir (2007), Witch
DVD
- Live (2007), Voiceprint