Latest news with #Flook
Irish Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Ten Minutes with Sarah Allen of Flook
FOR three decades, Flook have been at the cutting edge of folk music, blending dynamic energy with inventive musicality. Flook's fifth album Sanju was released in May and is available on all digital platforms and on The band also just been awarded prestigious 'Group of the Year' title at the annual TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards which can be viewed on line at Flute player Sarah Allen took time out to answer our questions 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 See More: Flook, Folk Music, Traditional Music
The Age
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘It's a big part of my life': Injury-plagued Wallaby confirms his future
Injury-plagued Wallabies centre Josh Flook has cast aside a tumultuous year on the field to ink a contract extension with the Queensland Reds, as he fixes his gaze on a last-ditch bid for the British and Irish Lions series. The 23-year-old made his debut in the gold jumper last year against Wales, managing four caps in 2024 as he sought to establish himself in the nation's No.13 jersey. Those plans appeared to be gathering steam in the initial rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Flook scoring a double in the Reds' second clash of the campaign against the Western Force, before succumbing to a hamstring injury. Flook has not played since that encounter, but is in line to make his return against the Fijian Drua on Saturday as Queensland seek to cement their place in the top six on the eve of finals. 'The boys sitting next to me on the sidelines are probably happiest to see me back earlier than expected because I do go a bit hardcore with my vocal support during games,' Flook said. Loading 'This Saturday night is the last regular season home game for the Reds at Suncorp Stadium. It's going to be a huge last round with so many possibilities still in play for the finals. 'Everyone at the Reds will be up for the game, and we know the Fijian Drua will be trying to ruin the party when they come to Brisbane.' Flook's extension until the end of 2026, and hopeful timely return – weeks ahead of schedule – leaves him with a small window to convince Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt he warrants inclusion in the squad to take on the Lions this year.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's a big part of my life': Injury-plagued Wallaby confirms his future
Injury-plagued Wallabies centre Josh Flook has cast aside a tumultuous year on the field to ink a contract extension with the Queensland Reds, as he fixes his gaze on a last-ditch bid for the British and Irish Lions series. The 23-year-old made his debut in the gold jumper last year against Wales, managing four caps in 2024 as he sought to establish himself in the nation's No.13 jersey. Those plans appeared to be gathering steam in the initial rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Flook scoring a double in the Reds' second clash of the campaign against the Western Force, before succumbing to a hamstring injury. Flook has not played since that encounter, but is in line to make his return against the Fijian Drua on Saturday as Queensland seek to cement their place in the top six on the eve of finals. 'The boys sitting next to me on the sidelines are probably happiest to see me back earlier than expected because I do go a bit hardcore with my vocal support during games,' Flook said. Loading 'This Saturday night is the last regular season home game for the Reds at Suncorp Stadium. It's going to be a huge last round with so many possibilities still in play for the finals. 'Everyone at the Reds will be up for the game, and we know the Fijian Drua will be trying to ruin the party when they come to Brisbane.' Flook's extension until the end of 2026, and hopeful timely return – weeks ahead of schedule – leaves him with a small window to convince Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt he warrants inclusion in the squad to take on the Lions this year.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Reds seek 'focus' to prove early Super form no Flook
Josh Flook's pending return and Harry Wilson's strong injury comeback have sweetened the taste of another gutting Queensland Reds loss. The hosts were beaten 31-27 by the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, some moments of brilliance not enough in a 10th-straight defeat to the Wellington side since 2013. It meant they jumped the Reds into fourth spot with one Super Rugby Pacific round remaining, Les Kiss's side to host Fijian Drua in Brisbane next Saturday. They could still sneak back into fourth place with a win and Hurricanes loss next week, with that spot crucial in a new six-team finals format that means the highest-ranked loser still progresses to the final four. Incumbent Wallabies captain Wilson played 80 minutes in his return from a fractured arm, charging hard and defending stoutly in positive signs ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour that begins next month. The Reds have slid from first spot, with a 2-4 record since Wilson's injury in a loss to the Chiefs. They'll face either the Crusaders, ACT Brumbies or the Chiefs in the first week of finals, depending on final-round results. Test centre Flook should feature, the 23-year-old potentially back to face the Drua next week after a hamstring injury suffered in the third round. Influential backrower Seru Uru could join him, but Matt Faessler and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto won't despite the pair running well in their rehabilitation sessions last week. Kiss also confirmed fellow backrower and one-time Test captain Liam Wright had surgery on his troublesome shoulder that's again plagued him this season. Flook's blend of toughness and silky skill would be a timely addition but he could find it hard to crack the side, given the emergence of Dre Pakeho alongside Hunter Paisami - and the versatile Filipo Daugunu - this season. The Reds haven't beaten any of the sides in the top four this year, captain Tate McDermott again ruing costly errors with the game on the line on Friday. Knock-ons from Wilson and Paisami when they led by one point with 15 minutes remaining followed two late Hurricanes tries in the first half that blew the game open. Friday's defeat followed a 10-point loss to the Brumbies in which the Reds dominated field position and possession but couldn't find the knock-out blow. "Heaps of positives but there is a 10-minute period that's plagued us two weeks in a row now, just before halftime that really hurts us," McDermott said. "It comes down to a lack of focus. It's not one thing. Missing tackles, out of position in the back-field, drop balls .... that's where the frustration comes from. "We showed a huge amount of fight but ... we couldn't ice it and to their credit they got the ball back and they scored."
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Reds seek 'focus' to prove early Super form no Flook
Josh Flook's pending return and Harry Wilson's strong injury comeback have sweetened the taste of another gutting Queensland Reds loss. The hosts were beaten 31-27 by the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, some moments of brilliance not enough in a 10th-straight defeat to the Wellington side since 2013. It meant they jumped the Reds into fourth spot with one Super Rugby Pacific round remaining, Les Kiss's side to host Fijian Drua in Brisbane next Saturday. They could still sneak back into fourth place with a win and Hurricanes loss next week, with that spot crucial in a new six-team finals format that means the highest-ranked loser still progresses to the final four. Incumbent Wallabies captain Wilson played 80 minutes in his return from a fractured arm, charging hard and defending stoutly in positive signs ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour that begins next month. The Reds have slid from first spot, with a 2-4 record since Wilson's injury in a loss to the Chiefs. They'll face either the Crusaders, ACT Brumbies or the Chiefs in the first week of finals, depending on final-round results. Test centre Flook should feature, the 23-year-old potentially back to face the Drua next week after a hamstring injury suffered in the third round. Influential backrower Seru Uru could join him, but Matt Faessler and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto won't despite the pair running well in their rehabilitation sessions last week. Kiss also confirmed fellow backrower and one-time Test captain Liam Wright had surgery on his troublesome shoulder that's again plagued him this season. Flook's blend of toughness and silky skill would be a timely addition but he could find it hard to crack the side, given the emergence of Dre Pakeho alongside Hunter Paisami - and the versatile Filipo Daugunu - this season. The Reds haven't beaten any of the sides in the top four this year, captain Tate McDermott again ruing costly errors with the game on the line on Friday. Knock-ons from Wilson and Paisami when they led by one point with 15 minutes remaining followed two late Hurricanes tries in the first half that blew the game open. Friday's defeat followed a 10-point loss to the Brumbies in which the Reds dominated field position and possession but couldn't find the knock-out blow. "Heaps of positives but there is a 10-minute period that's plagued us two weeks in a row now, just before halftime that really hurts us," McDermott said. "It comes down to a lack of focus. It's not one thing. Missing tackles, out of position in the back-field, drop balls .... that's where the frustration comes from. "We showed a huge amount of fight but ... we couldn't ice it and to their credit they got the ball back and they scored."
