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Patrick Clarke

@paddyclarke.bsky.social
2.7K followers 472 following 347 posts

Deputy Editor and folk music columnist at The Quietus // my book Bedsit Land: The Strange Worlds Of Soft Cell is out now // cult classic, not best seller

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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
fuck me, that cover
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The Quietus @thequietus.com · 23/09/2026
Patrick Clarke reports from Sweden’s Supertraditional Festival, where bridges are being built across Europe’s experimental folk scenes. Plus, 10 crucial new records... Radical Traditional: Folk Music for Autumn, by Patrick Clarke buff.ly/BMDTnFy
Sara Parkman performs live at the inaugural Supertraditional Festival. Photo by Isak Gudnason.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEW @thequietus.com FOLK COLUMN This edition of my seasonal guide to experimental folk features a report from Supertraditional Fest in the batshit environs of Skansen exploring international weirdo trad solidarity. Plus reviews of 10 excellent new records including Spanish electroclash bagpipes
thequietus.com
Radical Traditional: Folk Music for Autumn, by Patrick Clarke | The Quietus
Before we begin, I can’t recommend enough that any England-based readers catch La Tène and Sourdure, two outliers of the French radical folk scene, at their forthcoming Cafe OTO show this Saturday (26...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In case it's ur kinda thing, I've got a longread with Ezra Collective for the cover of the new DIY Mag, which is now online here: diymag.com/cover-featur...
diymag.com
Ezra Collective: Hope Factory
Having burst into the mainstream when they scooped the 2023 Mercury Prize, Ezra Collective - and their superlative live shows - are nothing less than joy incarnate. But that’s not to say it’s always b...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Going through a big dj. flugvél og geimskip phase rn platalabel.bandcamp.com/track/dj-flu...
platalabel.bandcamp.com
dj. flugvél og geimskip - Á röngunni, by plata
from the album safn
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
That’s right I am fascinating
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Luke Turner @luketurner.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
More great writing on current movements in folk by @paddyclarke.bsky.social, this time from the Supertraditional Festival in Stockholm's Skansen museum (one of my favourite places in the world) on the eve of the recent Swedish elections thequietus.com/quietus-revi...
thequietus.com
Radical Traditional: Folk Music for Autumn, by Patrick Clarke | The Quietus
Before we begin, I can’t recommend enough that any England-based readers catch La Tène and Sourdure, two outliers of the French radical folk scene, at their forthcoming Cafe OTO show this Saturday (26...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEW @thequietus.com FOLK COLUMN This edition of my seasonal guide to experimental folk features a report from Supertraditional Fest in the batshit environs of Skansen exploring international weirdo trad solidarity. Plus reviews of 10 excellent new records including Spanish electroclash bagpipes
thequietus.com
Radical Traditional: Folk Music for Autumn, by Patrick Clarke | The Quietus
Before we begin, I can’t recommend enough that any England-based readers catch La Tène and Sourdure, two outliers of the French radical folk scene, at their forthcoming Cafe OTO show this Saturday (26...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
'Liminal' is the only word that really means what I'm trying to say in a forthcoming piece, but 'liminal' has also been ruined by the #hauntology art school crew. What to do?
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Luke Turner @luketurner.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thanks to @davidmckenna.bsky.social & @paddyclarke.bsky.social for turning me on to this incredible group & the scene around them that’s taking folk to new spaces - here’s Paddy’s report from New Trad Fest in the Loire Valley… thequietus.com/quietus-revi...
thequietus.com
Radical Traditional: Folk Music for Summer, by Patrick Clarke | The Quietus
Beneath the church of Saint-Aignan is a crypt, once an ancient promontory. Stumbling upon it while wandering on the first of my five days in this small and pretty town in the Loire valley, I’m drawn b...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Neu Quietus Radical Traditional folk column coming on Wednesday! Why not whet ur whistle with the last one, about deep trad psychedelia via the best weekend of my life getting mangled to some French pipes! thequietus.com/quietus-revi...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
anyone got two grand so I can buy a nyckelharpa
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Noticing a few "publications" lifting a lot of my recent Soft Cell feature wholesale, so re-upping it in case there's anyone who still wants to read it from the source!
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It's not like Syd Barrett is it though
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Just read a live review in a major UK music magazine that was just so obviously AI generated. Properly fucked.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Thought Benny off of ABBA was endorsing the far right and it was ruining my day until I realised that the Swedish Democrats and the Social Democrats are two very different things and he's just a centre-left dad doing an affably naff Mamma Mia parody tv.aftonbladet.se/video/407126...
tv.aftonbladet.se
Här framför Benny Andersson klassikern - Aftonbladet TV
På Socialdemokraternas slutspurtsrally framförde Abba-medlemmen Benny Andersson klassikern ”Mamma mia” med ny text.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BEDSIT LAND REDUX I had a long chat with the gent Marc Almond to discuss the end of Soft Cell. Includes a definitive answer on whether or not his pet boa constrictor really did escape into the sewers of London, AND MORE
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Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Really enjoying this blend of deeply traditional and not-traditional music from Sicily. (via @paddyclarke.bsky.social and @thequietus.com)
open.spotify.com
Rama - Album by Nuhara | Spotify
Nuhara · album · 2026 · 9 songs
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Luke Turner @luketurner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The Quietus is 18!, as ever it feels absolutely nuts that I've been doing this job for such a long time, especially as given the media landscape / ad collapse / AI / mainstreamification of culture it has become harder each year. As ever, we rely on subscribers to survive thequietus.com/subscribers/
thequietus.com
Subscribers | The Quietus
Support independent journalism and culture Help The Quietus continue bringing you the best in cultural criticism by joining one of our subscription tiers. Cancel easily anytime.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The next edition of my Quietus folk column is out on the Autumn Equinox. Keen for any tips as to new records taking strange / experimental takes on traditional sound and/or instrumentation
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Just had a piss next to Paul Weller. Pleased to report he washes his hands very thoroughly
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I keep getting follows from a starter pack some random American "created by searching for words associated with my fighting Irish Heritage" and who obviously saw the word Paddy in my handle and thought 'yeah that guy'. Sadly I am an English wimp, sorry new followers.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Big time sourdure.bandcamp.com/album/outred...
sourdure.bandcamp.com
Outredore, by sourdure
10 track album
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
youtube.com
Les Rallizes Dénudés - Heavier Than a Death in the Family (2002)
YouTube video by the spine
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Where was the discourse when that African Imperial Wizard guy turned out to be white
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
My favourite bit of this excellent Mr T interview is when he breaks down the numerological significance of his earrings www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
‘I don’t chase the dollar. I never did’: the astonishing hidden life of Mr T
He grew up in the ghetto, became a global superstar – then gave it all up. Why did he step away from the spotlight?
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Really made my therapist laugh, which means I’m winning
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🚨 electroclash Spanish bagpipes klaxon 🚨 fruela757.bandcamp.com/album/cam-n
fruela757.bandcamp.com
CAMÍN, by Fruela 757
15 track album
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In case the quote of mine on the poster isn't quite hyperbolic enough, I urge you once again to go see one of the best live bands in existence
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Highly recommend the podcast Dolly Parton’s America which is among the best pieces of music journalism I’ve experienced in any format podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
podcasts.apple.com
Dolly Parton's America
Music History Podcast · Series · In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton—but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, hist...
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
:( youtu.be/b7nbNNxsnGQ?...
youtu.be
The Bridge
YouTube video by Dolly Parton - Topic
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The Quietus @thequietus.com · 24/08/2026
Insecure Men’s Saul Adamczewski Accused of Assault and Abuse buff.ly/TgWVmmb
Insecure Men’s Saul Adamczewski pictured stood against a red wall.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Never gonna get bored of how Bowie sings 'Slither down the GREAYSEY PIYPE' on Joe The Lion
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
See also: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQVX... Dunno if I'm just buzzing that it's rained in London at last but all of Revolution Dub is hitting insanely hard rn
youtube.com
Bush Weed
YouTube video by Lee "Scratch" Perry - Topic
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
the greatest
youtube.com
Woman's Dub
YouTube video by Lee "Scratch" Perry - Topic
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Got a cat who I’ve named Monty, after he of Withnail fame. Appropriately enough he’s very fond of dramatically marching into the bedroom unannounced in the early hours, in search of something to hump
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Davey Jones @daveyjones.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I was just lighting a cigarette and that alert made me jump and I've set fire to my head and now everything is on fire
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Very enjoyable vintage Malaysian jazz gear hither habibifunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/audibl...
habibifunkrecords.bandcamp.com
Audible Beauty 001 (New Habibi Funk sister label): Tiga Trombone, by Alfonso Soliano
11 track album
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Loud American in the reading room I hate you so so much
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Feel like pure shit just want eclipse back
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Cursed PR
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Love it when I ask a band a good question and they say 'that's a good question'. I deeply require it. It's the only thing holding me together.
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Had a pizza in Falmouth once with gorgonzola and smoked goat's cheese that literally made me hallucinate, as in full out-of-body rising up to the ceiling looking down on myself. The restaurant has since closed and I think of it weekly.
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BUCKERS @deathofbuckley.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Heard your Da's taken cans down to Dobby's grave x
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Morvan @morvan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Great read and excellent writing - Patrick Clarke from The Quietus reporting from the New Trad Fest in Saint-Aignan. 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Sent two emails in the last hour of the working week, one to a travelling folk musician currently in a very remote part of the Himalayas, the other to a large-scale PR firm for some basic information I've been chasing for weeks. It'll come as no surprise who got back to me immediately
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Plotting the next edition of my Quietus folk column as we speak - keen to hear tell of any new releases that are strange, experimental and or/ weird, and that make use of traditional material in one way or another
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Even by modern Mercury Prize standards that's a pretty dull list
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Patrick Clarke @paddyclarke.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
My grand theory of morris has developed a lot since i wrote this last summer in the midst of *quite an untethered moment in my personal life* - but I remain quite proud of this feature
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