As anyone who’s been to Tractorfest will attest, the Country Fair is not just about the spectacular machines. No, it’s also about the tractor rides, numerous other arena displays like dog shows, falconry, the shires at work, the craft stalls, the children’s entertainment, enticing local artisan food and drink and, of course, the music.
This August, together with local favourites Headcorn Ukulele Band and the girl rock choir The Tuesdays, we welcome musician/songwriter David Archer, who will be busking for Cancer Research UK.
David has been playing with numerous bands, including prog-rock group Amoeba, since the Seventies. He’s now the music coordinator and pastoral support worker for Bethersden School. There, he’s not only in charge of the choir but has also given music lessons across all the age groups. And if that’s not enough. he also does therapeutic outreach work in four other schools – including drum workshops.
Ahead of his appearance at Tractorfest, we spoke to him about his career and music.
On music and his guitars
“I decided two years ago to go solo and try my hand at busking. As I also loop my sounds as I play, I can sound like a whole band playing. Although my style of music is mainly rhythm and blues, I also cover other genres in my set – including Latin American. I have made my own guitars out of cigar boxes, a number plate etc as I’m interested in how music was played in the early days of African music. Music was created on instruments made from next to nothing: a branch of a tree, a tin can. Apart from a couple I’ve put together myself, my current stage guitars are made by specialist guitar builders like the Seventies Wolseley hubcap guitar and Junksville three-string cigar box-style guitar.”
On busking for Cancer Research
“I approached Cancer Research last autumn because I wanted to raise money for a worthy charity rather than for myself. It’s a cause that’s very poignant for me as it is to so many others.”
On Tractorfest
“I haven’t been before — obviously I have heard of it — but I met a really nice bloke from Weald Beekeepers and we hit it off. He told me it was a cool, really friendly event and said I was welcome to spend time bringing some music to his stall. Which I may well do.”
So he’ll ‘bee’ there and if you’d like to hear David before August here is a little taster.
https://www.facebook.com/100024443797041/videos/176435663181226/
Earlybird tickets available online tractorfest.co.uk