VANESSA LEVENSTEIN
On Sunday nights at 7pm you can enjoy Songcatcher on Fine Music Radio with folk music aficionado Shiloh Noone. The longest running, and possibly the only, folk music show in South Africa, Shiloh Noone’s love of folk music developed at a young age.
Where did your love of folk music originate?
I guess in 1964 in a Presbyterian Church camp when one of the elder’s started playing Peter Paul and Mary, and Simon and Garfunkel songs.
What is your definition of folk music?
The acoustic expression or reflection of a bygone tradition of story-telling, love-songs and political or eco- protests that reflects the times and customs of that particular era or country.
Is there a nostalgia, or retro draw to the music?
Always, as nostalgia brings back memories of loved ones, perhaps even an event, but for me it’s honest poetry that resonates with the soul. Remember, folk was worship music and derives from a heavenly abode, not an earthly domain.
Where do you get your music from, is it on vinyl?
I love vinyl and yes often I play it and you can hear the crackle but mainly I play CDs. I travel north once a year and my main area of purchase is Wah Wah Records in Barcelona or Pandora’s Box in Berlin. England was great but many CD shops have closed down.
What is the response from listeners?
Beyond exceptional, with a very large following.
Do young people enjoy it?
I have loads of young listeners who email me all the time; the main age group is 30 to 68 plus.
Where does your show’s name Songcatcher come from?
In the 1800’s zealots would enter the Appalachian or Ozarks looking for the purest form of verse; they were called Songcatchers. A great movie was made about them, with the same name as well.
What is the future of folk?
We have come full circle and simplicity always wins the day. We all want to sit around a fire and have a sing-along. Folk music is timeless.
Show: Songcatcher
Genre: Folk Music
Station: Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM or listen online at www.fmr.co.za
When: Sundays at 7pm
WS
