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Strawfoot How would you classify your music? That’s a tough question. We incorporate so many influences into our sound, both traditional and modern. Everything from Bluegrass, and traditional country to European gypsy-folk and good ole fashioned rock and/or roll. Lately folks have been calling us “Gothic-Americana” and “Alt.Country”. So I guess to answer your question, I’d classify us as “Krunk”.Has your homeland been supportive of your music? Who is your biggest fan-base? We’ve gotten a lot of support here in St. Louis from fans, venues like Off-Broadway, other bands in our scene and local radio. We’ve been developing a fairly nice fan base all over the states, and Europe as well. Of course our biggest fan base is in our hometown, but the internet has really made the world a whole helluva lot smaller than it used to be.What is your opinion of contemporary music? How is our musical culture fairing in these modern times? My opinion of most mainstream music is fairly low these days. Once the big business of music sinks its teeth into a sound they tend to just wring it dry, until it sounds prefabricated; until the bands become indistinguishable. It happened with Alternative music, it happened with Country. I do however, have a high opinion of a lot contemporary musicians hiding just below the mainstream surface, lurking in the shadows bands like Slim Cessna and William Elliott Whitmore. There’s some great new music coming out these days, you’ve just gotta go looking for it.
What part of you does your music spring from? The part of me that most folks don’t get to see too often. There’s a lot underneath the lyrics and music of our songs, I try to tell inherent truths about the world we live in and my role within.Has it been a hard road? Where do you gather hope in times of darkness? Life is a hard road. There’s lot’s of twists, just like a good book or a fancy balloon animal. As far as gathering hope, well, no time is ever too dark if you have a good dog.What's the silliest thing you've ever done? How much time do you have?What's being on tour like? Where have you been? We don’t get out too much, but when we do it’s a great deal of fun. It always brings the band closer, we get to meet some real kind folks along the way...It’s especially fun when we get to travel with like minded artists...folks like Curtis Eller and Pinebox Serenade...Which city did you most enjoy playing in? South City…Represent.
How big would you consider yourself? How big do you want to be? About 6 feet. Our Guitarist is 6 foot seven. I’d like to be 10 feet tall…and bullet proof.Who does what in your band?(Bass, guitar, backup vocals, lead singer, roadie..etc..etc..). What are a few important things we should know about each one? On the Banjo, backing vox and god knows what else, Brother Bauer. He’s a banjo player so that means he’s the loose cannon of the group. On guitar, one of my best friends for the better part of 15 years, Brother Steve. He’s very tall. On upright bass, our voice of reason, Brother Eric. He (tries to) keep us in line, no small task with seven drunks, er I mean musicians. On harmonica, Mississippi Nate, an incredible talent. In my opinion, one of the best harp players in town. On violin is the beautiful and talented Sister Jen. We like to call her our ringer. The Newest member of the congregation is Brother John, the percussionist/jack of all trades. We’re lucky to have him playing with us…really lucky. And then there’s me, the Reverend Marcus, a creepy old angry preacher and distant relative to Mark Twain, singing and playing mandolin, and mumbling curse words about the government under my breath.What do you miss the most while on tour? My dog...
Which bands do you wish would be fastened to a very large statue of Val Kilmer and dropped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Any band with the word emo attached to their sound. Thanks.Who are your musical "idols"? I’ve gained a lot of influence from folks like Woody Guthrie, Michael Franti, David Eugene, Bill Monroe, Layne Staley…I’m a fan of powerful words and honest voices.
Which time period (and nation) possessed the greatest music, or greatest musical culture in history? Everything has helped influence the growth of music, it’s hard to pinpoint such things…I am partial, however to the early Americana of the 19th century, when it was still carrying the old-world traditions…the Jazz era of the 50’s wasn’t too shabby either…hell, I could say Seattle in 1990 with a clear conscience, but it’s just too tough to name a champion.How do you compose a song? How do you craft the lyrics that go into it? It just kind of comes naturally. I don’t write with any real agenda per se. When it rains it pours. I just do my best to be as honest as I can be. Sometimes I’m inspired by a fog rolling through the graveyard behind my house, sometimes I come up with a song while I’m stuck in traffic. I have no control over it.
How do you decide which songs make the cut and which don't? We play them, and after a few tries you can just kind of tell if it’s working or not.Which song do you think people will most remember you by? Which one should they remember you by? Everyone seems to have a different favorite song. I’ve still got a lot of music in me, so I think it would be a bit premature to pick the one that says it all.Where does the name "Strawfoot" come from? During the Civil War, many soldiers didn’t know their left from their right. To teach them to march, hay was tied to their left foot, straw to their right. Rather than calling out “Left, Right, Left,” Soldiers marched to the cadence of “Hayfoot, Strawfoot”. It’s about marching forward.
Have you ever been booed off the stage? What would/did you do in such a situation? Not yet, give it time. I reckon we’d just turn up and play faster, then drink more.What's held you back the most in your musical ascension? Mortgages.This is thy last word, craft carefully thy syllables, purse thy lips with apprehension and speak what thy will in due form for thy posterity shall hang on the words that thy spill onto this, our electronic page. Better to gamble with your life than your money.PS-our cd is available for purchase on our myspace page (www.myspace.com/strawfoot), CD Baby and iTunes. Do pick one up. << Back To Artist Interviews |
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