Folklore x Rankd

Folklore - Jacko's search for fair, artist-led musical euphoria

Squeezing through a concealed bookshelf door tucked in the corner of The Quadrant, a pub surrounded by the bustling nightlife (and drunken chaos) of central Brighton, lies The Folklore Rooms – a space that pioneers itself on lovingly crafted live music showcases fronted by local grassroots aficionado and artist Jacko Hooper. Walking away from a showcase on July 25th commemorating the launch of ‘Folklore Vol.2‘ clutching a 4-track vinyl featuring venue favourites Nierra Creek, Quaking Aspens, Adam Spry and Mezamni – its clear that Folklore champions the artist at the heart of everything they do, and have gained a deserved cult-following as a result.

'Consistency is the key - we started on 2/3 shows a week and now we run 7 shows a week... It's a mix and match. Brighton has so many incredible bands!'

Beaming onto our radar back in 2023, The Folklore Rooms monthly showcase has become a staple in the local music calendar. It was impossible to shrug off the infectious energy of alt-psych folk quartet TINMAN back in ’24, so the venue has become a regular hideaway ever since – for lovers of calmer soundscapes away from the rock-heavy neighbours over at The Rossi Bar and Hope & Ruin, and the artists who craft them.

With Adam Spry featuring as a venue favourite on the latest 4-track EP, Folklore has expanded their artist pool outside the continent, and brings his hair-raising lyricism from the US straight into the physical domain. His contribution ‘Tangled’ explores floating acoustic strums below a thundering synth-led run, complementing the delicacy of Mezanmi’s ‘This Time Yesterday’ to complete side B. Pulling the line-up to the live stage, we were enamoured by the works of  Quaking Aspens, and jumped into a touching singalong to Nierra Creek‘s ‘Lately‘, before a grand finale featuring a collaboration between 3/4 of Folklore Vol.2’s tracklist. With Jacko also taking the stage, the lines between audience an artist became blurred, and the venue was astir with with life and love.

Folklore Vol.2 is out NOW. Stay in the know by following @folkloresessions and heading down to Brighton’s favourite low-lit hideaway and bask in the sounds of TFR – it’s a MUST!