She was snapped up to play with Al Green’s band thanks to her band’s ‘Memphis vibe’. Now alt-folk singer Frazey Ford is hoping to feel the Folkestone vibe.

With its arty atmosphere, Folkestone is the perfect venue for Frazey Ford.

The Canadian singer, who will be opening a series of new music nights at Folkestone Quarterhouse on Thursday, July 14, is all about the feel of where she performs.

“I play different types of venues – I recently played the Barbican, but I also do small, intimate venues like the one in Folkestone. I love feeling the vibe of the room. My music has an acoustic element to it, so it can have a really good vibe when it’s an intimate show.”

Her visit to Folkestone is one of only four shows she will be doing in the UK on what you might call a whistle-stop tour.

“I tend to do shorter tours because I’m a mom,” she says. “This time I will be over for two and a half weeks. I have done lots of shows all over the place, so I’m used to the travelling. To be honest, though, I often don’t know where I’m going. I like to live in the moment, it’s my way of dealing with life. It annoys my friends sometimes!

“I am generally going to Europe – I’m not always totally aware where, though! I’m not a real forward looker.”

With her alt-folk band, the Be Good Tanyas, she had a song picked up by the cult TV show Breaking Bad and for her second solo album, Indian Ocean, she got to work with Al Green’s band, the Hi Rhythm Section.

“It was a real chance thing. Their manager was at a gas station and heard my song on the radio,” she said. “He rang the radio station to find out whose song it was. He could feel the Memphis vibe in our music.”

Recording with them was a dream come true. “It was a very interesting and amazing experience,” she said. “We recently went back to Memphis to a reunion show, which was very nice.”

The Quarterhouse’s new series of music nights is in partnership with Brighton promoter Melting Vinyl and promises an eclectic array of festival favourites and a musical revelation or two.

DETAILS

Frazey Ford will be at Folkestone Quarterhouse on Thursday, July 14. Tickets are £15 in advance or £19 on the door. For ages 14 and up. For details go to quarterhouse.co.uk or call 01303 760750.