Ten Minutes with Sarah Allen of Flook
What are you up to, Sarah?
Right now, I am rushing around preparing for our upcoming Flook tour of Japan. We've been to Japan quite a few times over the years—it's one of our favourite places to tour. The people are so kind and respectful and friendly, and the pace toggles between super calm and super frenetic. It will be great to be back. We called our latest recording Sanju, which very broadly speaking is the Japanese word for 30, as Flook are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year.
Which piece of music always sends a shiver down your spine?
Allegri's Miserere
Which musician or singer has most influenced you?
A chance meeting with legendary free improvising jazz drummer John Stevens single-handedly changed the course of my musical life. From there on in everything I had previously learned about music was challenged and reset; it was the starting point of a much more creative and fulfilling musical journey.
What's on your smartphone playlist at the minute?
I've been listening a lot to Bonny Light Horseman's latest release Keep Me on Your Mind / See You Free - I saw them live at The Roundhouse last Autumn - they were AMAZING! I'm also really enjoying The Charming Smile and the Glorious Life from up and coming band Wesley. The lead singer Jamie is the son of my good friend Al Jones, fiddle player from The Barely Works. Other favourites include Laura Wilkie's new album Vent and Brìghde Chaimbeul's new single Bog an Lochan.
What are your family roots in Ireland?
My Irish roots are only very distant, from way back in the 1600s when my forefathers on my father's side came from up around where Brian (Finnegan) lives in the Armagh area, before they emigrated to Australia.
What is your favourite place in Ireland?
I love the bustle of Galway and the wildness of West Cork.
What has been your favourite venue?
We played with Dreamers' Circus last November at Islington's Union Chapel and will be back there for our own gig this coming November - it's such a beautiful space to play music and to hear music - almost other worldly.
Which living person do you most admire?
My Dad. The tune Ninety Years Young on our new Flook recording Sanju was written for him, though this year it will be dedicated to my Mum (equally admired) for her big birthday in May this year.
Which trait in others do you most admire?
Kindness
What would be your motto?
Peace comes when you realise that everything that's out of control should be out of your mind too.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Always stay curious
In terms of inanimate objects, what is your most precious possession?
My Granny's wedding ring. It was her one remaining treasured possession and she gave it to me shortly before she died.
What's best thing about where you live?
The street where I live, on the shabbier side of Hampstead Heath, must be one of the friendliest places in London; everyone looks out for everyone else. Plus we have the Heath across the road with its Lido and swimming ponds.
. . . . and the worst?
I'm struggling to think of anything I don't like!
Who/what is the greatest love of your life?
My daughter, Maisy - recently turned 18 and shortly heading off on her own adventures
Upcoming gigs
4th June 2025: Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall LIVERPOOL
5th June 2025: The Met BURY, Gt MANCHESTER
6th June 2025: Brewery Arts KENDAL
7th June 2025: The Reeling GLASGOW
8th June 2025: The Glasshouse GATESHEAD
5th July 2025: Festival of Flutes DERRY
w.flook.co.uk
See More: Flook, Folk Music, Traditional Music
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Harry Styles spotted in popular Kildare eatery
Naas had a little extra sparkle this week when none other than Harry Styles strolled into a local Japanese restaurant, much to the delight of sushi lovers and staff alike. Kildare eatery, Tani Sushi Naas, shared an adorable snap of the pop superstar after enjoying his meal, sparking a flurry of excitement online. For the team behind the counter, it was a dream come true one moment they were going about their day the next, they were hosting a global pop icon. Naas had a little extra sparkle this week when none other than Harry Styles strolled into a local Japanese restaurant, much to the delight of sushi lovers and staff alike. Pic:Sharing a sweet snap of Harry posing with management, the official Instagram page wrote: 'Honestly, i didn't want to use this photo for our social media page, but too many people was asking and big crowd was waiting outside the restaurant last night, so he was in Tani last night and he is an absolutely gentleman. 'Very polite just chilling having dinner with his friends, said food was really tasty also compliment the staff as well, the photo was taken after his dinner, no body disturb him while he was eating, what a lovely guy,' they added. Fans were quick to take to the comments, with many delighted to see more of Harry's grand Irish tour. 'Thank you for sharing. This is so lovely. Happy to hear he wasn't bothered; despite the crowd outside, and was able to enjoy a lovely meal with friends,' one user shared. 'We gotta know what his order was! What sushi does Harry like?! Haha' another penned. 'Why not share the photo & promote your business! I'm happy you took your photo, and that Harry supported a great local business. More success to you,' a third wrote. For the team behind the counter, it was a dream come true one moment they were going about their day the next, they were hosting a global pop icon. Pic: X The singer has been spotted in a few locations so far, most notably in Naas, Co Kildare, with a screenshot of a Snapchat post from his visit going viral. Fans took to social media to share their shock at seeing the One Direction star on our shores, with even the original poster of the Snapchat saying on the pic: 'Like, ladies what the heck?' One fan wrote that they were going to cry seeing him in Naas, while a few others joked that they were booking flights to Ireland to come find him. In another Instagram post, this time to a Harry Styles fanpage, there's a number of other photos of the 31-year-old from his trip, including one during a hike. There's also a photo of him with the Aer Lingus flight team who likely brought him to Ireland.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I tried to track down my baby daddy after a drunken one-night stand & was trolled – now I'm raising £2.4k for a DNA test
The search has been ongoing for two-and-a-half years OH BOY! I tried to track down my baby daddy after a drunken one-night stand & was trolled – now I'm raising £2.4k for a DNA test A MUM is continuing her mission to find the father of her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Forrest, after a boozy beach romp with a lad in Tenerife. Despite facing online trolls and the challenges of being a single parent, Sarah-Jayne Snow remains determined to find the man she met on holiday. Advertisement 5 Sarah Jayne Snow had a one night stand in Tenerife in 2022 Credit: SUPPLIED 5 She's now searching for the father of her baby Credit: SUPPLIED 5 Sarah-Jayne took this picture to show her sister that she was safe Credit: SUPPLIED The Brit mother, now 32, has shared her story in hopes of providing her son with answers and giving his biological father, who she believes is from Scotland, the chance to know his son. Sarah-Jayne, from East Lothian, Scotland says: 'My trip to Tenerife with my sister changed my life forever." Of the night she conceived her son, she adds: 'We had our fling, didn't swap numbers - or even names but it was a consensual thing between two drunk adults. 'Me and my sister had booked the holiday as she just split from her boyfriend at the time. Advertisement 'One of the nights, I was really drunk and decided to stay out but my sister had gone back. 'I just remember I was walking back at 5am and he stopped me. We got chatting and then the rest is history.' The nameless man, who she knows is her baby's dad, offered to walk Sarah home after seeing she was alone. At first, she didn't want to take things any further because of their age gap - she was then 29 and he was 19. Advertisement She says: 'He wanted to go back to mine, I said 'no to my sister's there'. 'I took a quick selfie of me and him to let my sister know I'm safe and I'll be home soon. 'It was just a one-night stand. I kept saying 19 was really young as I was 29, but he kept persisting. Skinny dipping, body counts & menace girl summer: it's de-cuffing season | Date. Delete. Repeat. 'When I was leaving him he offered to walk me back, but I just said 'no - let's just leave it there.' Advertisement 'I don't know much about him, not even his name. 'I purposely didn't ask for his number and he didn't ask for mine. It was a mutual parting. 'I genuinely know I was a lot more drunk than him. The only reason we slept together was because he stopped me in the street and asked me to go with him. I just looked at the pregnancy test and was like, I'm gonna be a mum Sarah-Jayne Snow 'I didn't approach him because I was definitely too drunk.' Advertisement All she knows about her mystery man is he worked at Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow at the time. After returning home, Sarah-Jayne discovered she was six weeks pregnant, after her protection had failed in Tenerife. 'I couldn't believe it,' she says. 'I had no idea I was pregnant, I had no symptoms at all. I did the pregnancy test with my best friend in Starbucks toilets. Advertisement 'We both just looked at each other like 'wow'.' Pregnancy Although she'd had had two abortions in the past, Sarah-Jayne felt an instant connection to this pregnancy. "I just looked at the pregnancy test and was like, I'm gonna be a mum," she says. 'I knew I had to try and find him, I didn't want my son to feel like he missed out on knowing who the father is. Advertisement 'All I want is for the dad and his family to know that if they want to be involved, they can be.' The news shocked her friends and family, who questioned her decision to have a baby without knowing anything about the father. "Are you sure that this is the right thing? Like, you're going to be completely on your own," she recalls them saying. He might not know that he has a child at the end of the day, and that's quite a big deal Sarah-Jayne Snow But despite their concerns, she was determined to become a mother. Advertisement The pregnancy and birth were both "easy," and her sister and best friend were there to support her. Despite not having her son's father there, she called the experience "absolutely amazing." "It's been the best decision ever," she says. "Forrest is my best friend, and it's been great just the two of us. I just want to give the dad an option of being around if he wants to be. Advertisement "He might not know that he has a child at the end of the day, and that's quite a big deal. 5 She has one snap of the lad but doesn't know his name or number Credit: SUPPLIED "If he doesn't want to know anything then fine as well, but I want to give him and Forrest the opportunity." Despite having started her search back in 2023 while she was still pregnant, Sarah-Jayne hasn't had much luck. Advertisement "First of all, there might be a dad out there that doesn't know he's a dad. And second of all, Forrest might want answers," she says, of her reasons for keeping going. She decided to launch a TikTok campaign, hoping the video would reach him. Two million views Sarah's online appeal to find the dad has racked up more than two million views but she's still no closer to getting in touch with him. The search for the father led to her being trolled online. Advertisement Many accused her of "trapping" the man or only wanting his money. However, she said that 'was not the case,' explaining that she 'gave up a job as a deputy manager making nearly £40,000 a year' and is now working a part-time job in a school. "I've only just now been able to get back to work," she says, explaining that she relies on her sister for childcare. "I don't get child support because they can't collect it from him, as I don't have a name or anything to go by. Advertisement He's got brown hair, I thought he was taller then me but now I'm wondering if he's not that tall as Forrest is quite small, and I'm 5ft 1 Sarah-Jayne Snow "Also, child maintenance is not a lot of money either, it's not life changing. "Honestly, I would give anything to not have any child maintenance and just have a weekend to myself." She also addressed the age difference between herself and the father, which many trolls have criticised. "Everyone always just remembers that one detail," she says. Advertisement "He's actually 22 now. My son has grown up quite a lot. He's adult enough to make a decision if he wants to see him or not.' Without a name, phone number, or any other contact information, her search has been difficult. DNA-finding company She has a single photo of him from the video call she made to her sister and describes him as having brown hair. 'He's got brown hair, he was taller then me but now I'm wondering if he's not that tall as Forrest is quite small, and I'm 5ft 1,' she says. Advertisement 'But I can't describe him much more than that. That's just going from the picture I have.' To aid in her search, Sarah-Jayne has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for a DNA-finding company, which would use her and Forrest's DNA to find his family. 5 Her son Forrest is now two-and-a-half years old Credit: SUPPLIED The service costs £2,400, a sum she said she couldn't afford as a single mother. Advertisement "I'm trying to save, but it's not going to be in my bank account for a good three years," she says. For now, she continues to hold out hope that her search will lead to answers. She believes that even if Forrest's father doesn't want to be involved, his family might. "What if his parents want to be grandparents?" she asks. Advertisement She is determined to continue her search and is confident that her son will be proud of her efforts when he is older. Hitting back at her trolls, Sarah-Jayne says: "It's fine, the negative comments help the appeal get shared. It's all for my son's benefit." You can donate to Sarah's GoFundMe here.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Sylvanian Family toymaker drops lawsuit against Irish social media account
The 'Sylvanian Drama' seems to have come to an end as the Japanese company behind the popular Sylvanian Family toys has dropped its lawsuit against the Irish creator behind the viral sensation. The account, called Sylvanian Drama, is run by Thea Von Engelbrechten from Co Kildare and became massively popular during lockdown. The acccount uses the Sylvanian Families toys to create soap-style storylines, which can often get quite dark and murderous, and has accumulated around 1million followers on Instagram and 2.5million on TikTok. The 'Sylvanian Drama' seems to have come to an end. Pic: Sylvanian Families As the page's fame rose, it caught the attention of Epoch, aka the company who first launched Sylvanian Families in 1985, who later filed a lawsuit in New York alleging 'copyright infringement' and 'irreparable injury' to the brand's reputation. Brands such as Marc Jacobs, Sephora, Netflix and Kate Spade, however, were massive fans of the page, collaborating with them on advertising and engaging in sponsorship deals. One of the page's most popular videos, which has more than 3million views on Instagram alone, sees a character be asked if she wants to 'relapse' tonight, but she explains she is happily married with children now. As the page's fame rose, it caught the attention of Epoch, aka the company who first launched Sylvanian Families in 1985. Pic: Sylvanian Families However, when her husband complains that he doesn't like the dinner she made, she goes off to her drug dealer's house, goes to find her ex, and all hell breaks loose. The parody account submitted a defence of 'fair use', with Vincent Allen (the managing partner at Carstens, Allen and Gourley law firm) telling RTÉ News: 'She is introducing these characters in a completely different way than Epoch ever dreamed that they will be used and she's creating entertainment.' 'What is she copying? She's just using their toys in a way that they don't like.' The case was due to go before a judge on August 14, with Epoch dismissing all claims on August 8. The court documents read that the dismissal was 'without prejudice, with each party to bear its own costs, expenses and attorneys' fees.' No details of the settlement were released, but it is understood there will be some changes made to the social media accounts. RTÉ claimed that neither Epoch nor Ms Von Engelberg responded to their request for comment.
