Folklore is a mini-orchestra lead by veteran indie rocker Jimmy Hughes with musical roots in both Athens, GA and Philadelphia, PA. The band released two concept albums in 2007/08 and a new one in 2011 titled Home Church Road. Lyrically the songs are story based, but musically the band creates a landscape that is orchestrated in whichever direction the prose dictates using woodwinds, brass, strings, and more. Hughes may be best known for his work as guitarist for Elf Power and their collaboration with Vic Chesnutt during 2009's Dark Developments. An indie journeyman, Hughes has also been the driving force behind the fantastic band Boy's Star Library, and also performed with Bugs Eat Books and Masters of the Hemisphere. Currently, when not spending time with Folklore, he teaches music to children ages 1-5 at an arts-based preschool in downtown Philadelphia.But we can't make Folklore all about Hughes. Without his cast of fantastic musicians, Folklore would not soar to such fantastic heights. This is really well illustrated in their coveted second Daytrotter Session! I caught up to the crew while they were preparing for their hectic April tour schedule. Thankfully, they agreed to take sometime out of their busy schedule to answer my highly dubious questions.
What's the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?
David Specht: Mary Kate & Ashley Olson had an album called "Brother For Sale" and my sister had it and the songs were pretty good.
Jordan Burgis: Rod Stewart Unplugged was the only music I knew existed until I was almost 10.
Aaron Jollay: Live
Jason Henn: Probably Van Hagar
Jimmy Hughes: I agree with Aaron about the band Live. Also Red Hot Chili Peppers... they were one of the first concerts I saw and I loved them at the time... not so much anymore.
What is the first record you bought?
David Specht: Beach Boys "Endless Summer" all the hits - brought it in to show and tell in 1st grade.
Jordan Burgis: Genesis "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". 15 years later, still haven't made it past side 1.
Aaron Jollay: Nevermind
Jon Croxton: I'm pretty sure it was either "Raising Hell" by Run DMC or "Licence To Ill" by the Beastie Boys. Whichever it was, My brothers and I had to play it really low so our parents couldnt hear it!
Jason Henn: The first Monkees album on cassette at the Richmond, Indiana, Target.
Jimmy Hughes: Huey Lewis And The News "Four". 2nd album was "Raising Hell" by Run DMC. They were definitely cassettes.
Unicorns vs. Narwhals? Who would win in a fight?
David Specht: Narwhals would win: It's a tooth instead of a horn so it's like a big molar! Chomp Chomp Chomp!
Jordan Burgis: Racoonicorns ftw. Duh!
Aaron Jollay: Always gonna be more narwhals than unicorns, eventually this unicorn will get its ass kicked
Jon Croxton: I'm gonna have to say a tie on this one. I mean, would the two even be able to fight? I picture them just both staring and bucking at each other, one in the water, one on the land. Neither with the balls to actually enter the others turf. I can also picture all the other creatures egging them on, but in the end, the master wizard breaks it up and tells everyone to get back to class.
Jason Henn: That depends on which Narwhal, the toothed whale or the submarine. Unicorn vs. whale: unicorn wins. Unicorn vs. submarine: tie.
Jimmy Hughes: Let's break it down... Unicorn is just a horse (nothing more) with a horn and it's imaginary. Narwhal is actually real and way weirder that the made up horse this. So if it's a freak-out battle (and not a physical fight) then I say Narwhal wins for being super-freaky and real on top of that. If they were both real then I think they wouldn't fight and they would be best friends.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road?
David Specht: Pizza every day? Not sure if that's even funny but i kind of love it!
Jordan Burgis: There was the time Jimmy picked up a hitchhiker who turned out to be a vampire...
Aaron Jollay: Not sure, mostly wild stories are from Dark Meat trips.
Jason Henn: It didn't really "happen" to us, but the most van fun ever was probably Jon Croxton iPod DJ'ing tracks by The Masta Cylindaz Feat. Lil Flip Scoldjah.
Jimmy Hughes: I pooted!
Who has the worst van etiquette?
David Specht: No comment!
Jordan Burgis: Depends on who has the buck call...
Aaron Jollay: Me (see above)
Jason Henn: Jon Croxton, hands down. That guy is a total dick.
Jimmy Hughes: Me, I pooted!
Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod?
David Specht: Beach Boys "Smile" sessions , Godley & Creme "L"
Jordan Burgis: Agincourt, Earles and Jensen, CCR
Aaron Jollay: Caetano Veloso, Hawkwind, Nerves
Jason Henn: Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" all the way through at least once a day. Other than that, the new Jandek, White Life and Other Colors.
Jimmy Hughes: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Forest Fire, Nana Grizol "Ruth", Fleetwood Mac "Rumors", John Cale, Sebadoh, Buffalo Stance, Flaming Lips...
What is the worst argument over nothing that you got into with each
other after being road weary and exhausted?
David Specht: I don't remember!
Jordan Burgis: Who's going to buy the CD player shaped like a full size guitar, DAMMIT? (see attached picture)
Aaron Jollay: We never fightJason Henn: One time I slept with Scott Churchman's wife, Michelle, and he wrote a scathing song about it called "I Saw Her Again." Wait, I'm thinking of The Mamas and The Papas. On second thought, I don't remember any real Folklore arguments.
Jimmy Hughes: We really don't fight... it's true! I think that makes us the best band ever.
Folklore's April 2012 East Coast Tour Dates
4/6/12 - Asheville, NC @ Craggie Brewing Company
4/7/ 12 - Athens, GA @ The 40 Watt Club w/ Real Estate, Twerps
4/8/12 - Chapel Hill, NC @ The Cave w/ Clinton Johnson, Jphono1
4/9/12 - Arlington, VA @ The Galaxy Hut w/ TBA
4/27/12 - New Paltz, NY @ The New Paltz Town Library w/ Breakfast In Fur
4/28/12 - New York, NY @ The Cake Shop w/ Palomar, The Hairs
4/29/12 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie w/ Kind Of Like Spitting, Little Big League
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