Fold

Now in its third year the core line up of experimental Leeds based quartet consists of Seth Mowshowitz (benevolent dictator, beats, keys & guitar) Kane Rattray (drums), Ben Walsh (bass) and Josh Gardziel (guitar) along with many intermittent contributors.
In a vein similar to Public Enemy, DJ Shadow and more recently Public Service Broadcasting (a band that Fold have remixed and twice supported) Fold carefully weave both the natural spoken rhythms and eloquence of many voices past and present into a unique tapestry of hip hop, funk, jazz and psychedelic rock threads. Ranging from Bruce Lee to Malcolm X these voices each reflect on and bring to light certain truths that reveal something of the state of the world from a particular perspective.
Founder Seth Mowshowitz comes from the world of late 90s / early 00s New York City trip hop and downtempo. His first incarnation Mujaji yielded the underground classic Free Rain and a series of 12” contributions that helped to launch Brooklyn’s excellent Bastard Jazz Recordings.
Kane, Ben and Josh hail from West Yorkshire and have known each other since adolescence. More than ten years of playing together have made them tight as nails even as they are continually dragged out of their former rock comfort zone by Seth’s predilection for funk and hip hop (apart from Ben who is also a huge fan of the funk to be fair). Despite that for a band they are a surprisingly democratic group.
Though their compositions are informed by the innovations of hip hop, in keeping with the spirit of unity among their funk forebears Fold strive to have as many sounds as possible played by real people using live instruments. The part-time addition of Leeds based Emma Johnson’s jazz-funk horn section lifts the sound right back to the early 70s. The band also steadfastly abstain from using click tracks or pre-sequenced material both on stage and in the studio.
Fold have laid the groundwork for their forthcoming album (due out November 2) by self-releasing a series of singles that have garnered significant support from UK radio including 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, Huey Morgan, Don Letts and especially Gideon Coe. Blur’s Dave Rowntree is arguably their biggest fan having brought Seth in a guest on his XFM show of 6 September. XFM’s John Kennedy has also been a longstanding supporter. With a solid base of regional radio support Fold make regular guest appearances on stations in the North including Alan Raw’s BBC Introducing West Yorkshire.
Fold will be touring around the release of their debut LP with dates in Leicester, Newcastle, London, Halifax and of course Leeds. Over the past few years their live show has been gaining a strong reputation backed up by key figures in the local scene including the Yorkshire Evening Post, BBC Introducing, the Doghouse and Club 360. The group have incorporated a compelling projected set of visuals that has been particularly well received by their audiences. Their sound and performance unanimously stands out from anything else happening at the moment.
Keen to lend a hand to urgent causes Fold performed at a charity event in support of the people in camps at Calais back in June. At the end of last year they supplied a widely acclaimed remix of hip hop northerners Ceiling Demons for the CALM charity and in July released an emergency single to help wounded civilians in Gaza.