Americana Fest

Well. Again. OK, then. In the midst of all this South By Southwest stuff – as well as an open mic we are holding at 200 East on Friday – the Americana Fest is set to go down this weekend at the Weinberg Center. And we, believe it or not, have actually talked to pretty much all the artists set to perform (yet not Keller Williams; he’s simply too good). This week, then, we have been running Q’s & A’s with the ones we were lucky enough to speak with. Today, we have regional Americana heavy hitters, The Steel Wheels (as represented by Brian Dickel). Among the things we discussed were when the band might get back to recording a new album, what goes into their Red Wing Roots Music Festival, and the prospects of a European tour later this year. They are headlining the first night, and you don’t need us to tell you that you won’t want to miss it in order for you to know as much, right? Right.

You guys are familiar names throughout the region. What are your thoughts on the Frederick/Maryland music scene and the Weinberg Center as a venue? 

We’ve had the good fortune to play in Frederick over the past few years and from an outsider looking in, it appears to be alive and well! What has always impressed us is the wide range in age of Frederick music lovers and that bodes well for the future. The Weinberg and the people there have treated us so well. We feel comfortable there and the size is no longer intimidating to us. That allows a great rapport with the audience and letting the show develop organically. Some larger rooms like that can be tough to develop the artist/audience relationship but we haven’t found that to be true at the Weinberg.    

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival is your baby – what are some of the challenges of organizing a music festival, ala the Weinberg’s Americana Festival? Red Wing is fairly established within the region – to what do you guys attribute that success?

We are rolling into year four of Red Wing Roots and it isn’t always smooth sailing, but the list of “problems” have been relatively minor in the scope of putting on a three-day festival. The number one thing we have going for us is a great production team. Along with the volunteers, they are the true backbone of making the festival work. We are the public face of it and I often tell people we get to do the fun parts of the festival like helping with lineup and artistic vision for the weekend, but we are not the ones doing the months and months of day-to-day operations. As a touring band, it takes a lot of our time doing what we do on the road, and I know that the festival and our yearly touring would suffer if we didn’t have good teams in place. I think people have gravitated towards Red Wing Roots so quickly for a variety of reasons, but great music with a family friendly environment in a beautiful part of the world is a good place to start. We want there to be a legacy of families growing up in this festival as we’ve seen in other festivals around the country. It’s very gratifying to think that we may have a small part in shaping the next generation of music lovers and exposing them to something that they may not have had an opportunity to hear without Red Wing Roots. All of us in the band have families with children and it’s one of the few (sometimes only) opportunity for them to hear and see us on stage in a year. It’s a great way for us to get a little family time as well while we are at work.      

What does “Americana” mean to you?  

I think this term is always evolving. The commercial sense of Americana is pushing forward into a more modern sound, but to me, Americana still encompasses a very broad range of music from that more rock sound to an old sound with fiddles, guitars, etc. It’s a large musical umbrella, but that’s what attracts me to it. I’m generally not a fan of music labels – although I understand why they need to be there – but I like when a genre can hand me thoughtful, forward-thinking music that still respects elements of the past with an eye to what is next. 

You guys are playing Friday night with Parsonsfield and Tall Heights. Are you familiar with the other bands on the bill? Is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing?  

Getting to hear other bands is just one of the highlights of playing festivals. Most shows we do throughout the year are just us or an opening band. You don’t actually get to take in a lot of live music unless you count your own show every night. That being said, we are fans of music and someone is always showing up to the van with something new they’ve discovered. We hear a lot of bands and now, with us curating our own festival, we have really paid a lot of attention to who is out there and what they are up to. We are familiar with most of the bands on the bill and have had the good fortune to play with a few of them at other festivals. Parsonsfield once opened for us (under a different name) in Connecticut when they were just getting started quite a few years ago. It will be fun to reconnect and see where we both have grown to musically!  

Who are some of your influences and why?  

We come from a lot of different backgrounds and regions of the country. None of us grew up on this kind of music, but all fell into it organically at different points in our lives. Hearing artists like Doc Watson, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice and many more opened our eyes to the Americana world before we even knew what it was called. I think for all of us, something clicked the first time we heard something like that and we wanted to learn more. We also all have a Mennonite background, which isn’t something you would typically think of as an influence. We grew up in many different communities, but with four-part harmony singing as a part of that culture, the communities all had something in common. We certainly didn’t think at the time that it was influencing our future music careers, but we find it is something that now comes natural to us and is more unique than we realized at the time.      

Who are you listening to these days the most? Are there some artists we should be aware of, who we might not already know?  

We listen to just about anything. We tend to seek out the latest releases and see what is new, but still come back to old favorites from time to time. The latest Jason Isbell album is fantastic. Leon Bridges, Lake Street Dive, Angelique Kidjo, Aoife O’Donovan and Hayes Carll are just a few that come to mind recently. I will say there are MANY artists out there that everyone should hear that are flying under the radar a bit. Once you are in the music business for a while, you realize just how much great music is out there that will probably never be available to the masses. One of the best ways to discover is to support your music venues and take a chance on some shows you may not know. You will occasionally be very surprised and walk away with a new favorite. That is also the beauty of attending music festivals – you may have attended to listen to one of the marquee names at the top and find yourself blown away by artists you didn’t know existed. Keeping an open mind and seeking out live music is the best way to expand your music finds.   

Where are some of your favorite venues and places to play and why?  

We have had the great fortune to play 100-plus shows a year all over the country for quite a while now. Each one has some qualities that stick out to you (not all good!) and it would be hard to pick one over another. Sometimes, the room is nothing great, but the fans who fill it that night and respond to the music with some energy make up for the lack of “wow” factor in the physical room itself. Other times, you walk in, and the building itself is stunning and a real joy to play acoustic music in. Occasionally, those two collide into a very special evening. We really like old theaters and are so happy to see communities all over reinvesting in those buildings and finding the value in keeping them running. One of our favorites we’ve ever played is the Stoughton Opera House in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The energy in the audience and the building itself have created some of our favorite performances the past couple of years. There are many others as well that we encounter every week. The hard part is finding the time to get back every year to all the ones that have that magic.  

What does a dream collaboration look like to you? Who’s out there who you’d like to work with the most, be it another artist or producer?  

That’s a good question and I’m not sure we know the answer. We always have our eyes open for mini collaborations at a festival set or backstage at a venue. I think you can learn something from anyone and the more you are open to that, the better musician and performer you become. We are in the beginning phases of the next album and Trent Wagler (our main songwriter) has been doing more collaborative writing than ever before. He has enjoyed the new process and bringing in some fresh ideas into his songwriting. We are talking to some producers for this next album and that is an exciting prospect for this next project. We’ve been open to outside ideas, but have mostly self-produced the last few albums. It’s exciting to think about being pushed in a good way in the studio and perhaps shaping us with some ideas we haven’t thought of before.  I think being pushed out of your comfort zone while still remaining true to your sound and feel is a healthy way to stay excited with your own music.  

When do you guys plan on getting in the studio again? I know you released “Leave Some Things Behind” last year, but how is 2016 shaping up?

We are looking to get into the studio sometime in 2016 with the plans to release a full length album in 2017. We are in the midst of writing and arranging a lot of new songs right now and have already hit the studio last month with some demo recordings. It’s a fun and creative time to be in and we are all excited to see what songs develop and make the cut for the next album. I think we’ve got some really strong material taking shape. Our mentality is always that the next one is going to be some of the best work we’ve ever done, so we really work hard on the songs and song choices to create an experience from start to finish. Aside from planned studio time, 2016 is shaping up nicely with festival and venue touring to some new stops and some old favorites. We also have our first full-band European tour happening in August with an amazing festival in Denmark called Tønder Festival. Many exciting things on the horizon, so stay in touch with The Steel Wheels.

And finally, what can we expect from your set at the Weinberg?  

Well, we haven’t drawn up the set yet! We craft every set unique to every night and that is one thing I love about playing in this band. Right now, our sets are typically a nice mix of previous albums and a good dose off the latest album as well. As a headliner at Weinberg, we’ll have some good energy songs but we also love to pull back the reigns from time to time with a softer tune. We enjoy hearing an organic ebb and flow to a set with energy swells and valleys. Too much of one thing, and the audience loses interest. Much like an album, you want to create a journey from start to finish. We are fortunate to have great fans that are totally a part of that journey each night. We are really looking forward to being back at the Weinberg and are honored to be a part of the Americana Music Festival again this year.  

Well. Again. OK, then. In the midst of all this South By Southwest stuff – as well as an open mic we are holding at 200 East on Friday – the Americana Fest is set to go down this weekend at the Weinberg Center. And we, believe it or not, have actually talked to pretty much all the artists set to perform (yet not Keller Williams; he’s simply too good). This week, then, we’ll be running Q’s & A’s with the ones we were lucky enough to speak with. Today, we have local bluegrass awesome dudes The Plate Scrapers. Among the things we discussed were what it means for them to be playing the Weinberg, when they might begin work on a new album, and how they got together in the first place. They’re set to take the stage on Saturday, and we all know you’re looking for something to do on Saturday. So, go support the locals!

You guys put out your debut album last year, which makes you kind of relatively new to this area’s music scene. How did the band form? What were some of the precipitating factors that brought you guys together?

Brett Kretzer: We all started picking together at a mutual friend’s farm who had a really awesome bluegrass jam every Sunday night – plenty of good food, corn liquor and tunes. There were a lot of great pickers and really wonderful people that showed up every week, but for some reason, the four of us had a noticeable chemistry. Eventually, we thought, “Hey, why don’t we go out and do this same thing in front of a can?” It all started out as just four dudes having a good time, and we try to keep it that way. 

What are some of your proudest accomplishments thus far?

Andrew Jordan: Being able to go on tour and come back alive, not broke, and not hating each other. Playing with some really awesome musicians. Getting on the radio in Knoxville. Meeting cool people is all pretty right on, too. 

Brett Kretzer: I’m really proud to have a studio CD, which we recorded and produced on our own. 

Who are some of your major influences and why? 

Brett Kretzer: I think we are influenced most by people who don’t just go through the motions on stage, waiting to get their paycheck and head to the next gig – people that make every single performance into a deep emotional and spiritual connection with the crowd. Larry Keel comes to mind.

What does “Americana” mean to you?

Derek Kretzer: That’s tough because it’s such a broad genre. I guess I would say any western music created with roots-y, organic flavor. 

You guys are playing on the Saturday of the festival with We Banjo 3 and Keller Williams. Are you looking forward to checking anyone out the most?

Derek Kretzer: I am definitely looking forward to seeing Keller. I have seen him many times in many different incarnations and it is always interesting. This will be my first time seeing We Banjo 3, so I look forward to meeting them as well. 

What’s your impression of the local music scene here in Frederick – especially when it comes to Americana and bluegrass?

Evan Bell: The local community is really supportive of bluegrass and string bands. We have a fantastic fan base that always comes out strong to local Frederick shows. There aren’t a lot of string bands coming out of Frederick, but it does have a very eclectic and vibrant music scene. We were recently on a Frederick Playlist CD that showcased the variety of music that comes from this area, a reason why I love living here. 

Who/what are you listening to the most lately? Are there any names of any bands or artists that we might not know about, who we should pay attention to?

Brett Kretzer: Plank Stompers are our buds. If you like psychedelic, boot-stompin’, hippie-funk-grass, check them out.

What does it mean to you guys to be playing the Weinberg Center?

Derek Kretzer: Playing at the Weinberg is a huge honor for us. We are all from this area and the Weinberg is one of the nicest venues around. There have been some legendary performers that have played on that stage and for us to be asked is extremely humbling and a great privilege. 

– What’s next for The Plate Scrapers? With “Contact” released more than a year ago now, will you be getting in the studio anytime soon?

Brett Kretzer: Absolutely. We’ve got a ton of fresh new material to lay down, some of which you can hear at our live shows. It’s our best stuff by far, now that we’re really evolving as a band. There’s also a possibility of a totally different sort of album, just for fun. 

And finally, what can we expect from your set at the Weinberg Center?

Derek Kretzer: We will be playing first so we will have a fairly short set. We will be playing mostly our own original material off our album “Contact” as well as some new unreleased material for the hardcore Scrapers fans. Maybe we can even convince Keller or one of the We Banjo 3 boys to pop out and jam a little bit. 

Well. Again. OK, then. In the midst of all this South By Southwest stuff – as well as an open mic we are holding at 200 East on Friday – the Americana Fest is set to go down this weekend at the Weinberg Center. And we, believe it or not, have actually talked to pretty much all the artists set to perform (yet not Keller Williams; he’s simply too good). This week, then, we’ll be running Q’s & A’s with the ones we were lucky enough to speak with. Today, we have Chris Freeman of alt/folk Massachusetts act Parsonsfield. Among the things we discussed were the band’s name change, what we can expect from their set at the Weinberg, and what the word “Americana” means to him. They’re set to take the stage on Friday. So come play a few songs at 200 East and then walk down the street to check them out. Deal? Deal.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you guys come together and what first inspired you to start playing this kind of music?

We started in college, where we were in a folk music club. It was just an informal weekly jam session where we played old time and bluegrass music. It was mistaken as a band and we were offered to open for a friend’s band. Rather than correcting them, we took the gig and then hundreds more.  

You went through a name-change, I see, and you are currently named after a town in Maine. I understand it occurred as you recorded a couple records there – do you guys get back to Parsonsfield much? Does it still hold a special place in you guys and why?

We get to go back every so often. There’s an old farmhouse up there that provides a great place to get away from everything and focus exclusively on the music we’re making. We just finished a record which we recorded partly there and partly in an abandoned Axe factory in Connecticut. It will always be a special place for us. Sometimes when I hear one of our songs, it transports me to the place and time when we recorded it. So in that sense, we get to visit quite often.  

You guys are playing the festival on Friday night with the Steel Wheels and Tall Heights – are you fans of those acts as well? Are there any you’re looking forward to checking out the most?

Yes! We’re very excited to be sharing a stage with two bands that we go way back with. The second show we ever played was opening for the Steel Wheels back in 2011. We haven’t seen them since, but we have been looking forward to meeting back up with them after all these years. Tall Heights are also great friends of ours. They have a beautiful new EP that came out this past fall which has amazing textures and vocals.  

Who are some of your major influences and why?

The earliest influences on our band come from the songs we played in folk music club. That’s old time Americana, like the Carter Family, Seeger and Woody. But I fell in love with that music through some of the bands that carried on that tradition and meshed it with more modern styles: The Band, Dylan, Springsteen. Levon’s grooves and the great songwriting are what I admire most about them. Finally Ray Lamontagne, The Avett Brothers, and The Low Anthem. The Avett Brothers have a radiating frenetic energy and deep emotion that I always try to harness in our performances. The Low Anthem and Ray Lamontagne create such perfect texture, which I really admire.  

What does the word “Americana” mean to you?

I look at Americana as being a label that is about accessibility. As Americans, we hear the sound of a banjo and think of it as our own, although it actually comes from Africa. But that’s really what America and Americana music is – it’s a blending of all different musical traditions. You’ve got jazz, blues, Irish and Appalachian music, and bluegrass, all coming together and being presented in a way that we think of as part of our own American heritage.  

Who are some of your dream collaborators and why? Conversely, has there been an artist or producer you guys have already worked with who sticks out as one of the most memorable?

Sam Kassirer has produced all of our albums thus far. He plays in Josh Ritter’s band and has produced a few Ritter albums as well as records by Lake Street Dive, Elephant Revival and more. He has shaped our sound from the traditional string band sound we began with to a much more thoughtful and experimental sound without really changing the instrumentation or our writing process. He has helped us evolve in a very organic way. I have always wanted to work with Gregory Alan Isakov. I love his albums and he seems to have great sense of subtle rhythms, which makes his quiet music shine.   

Who are you listening to the most right now? Are there some names of artists we might not already know that we should know about?

There’s so much great new music out right now. I love The Barr Brothers’ new album, “Sleeping Operator.” I’m also really looking forward to a new album by Parker Milsap.  

Where are some of your favorite places to play around the country and why?

I love playing out west mostly because I love the drives from venue to venue. Colorado, Montana and Wyoming are places we don’t get to often but always look forward to it.

Have you guys been to Frederick or the area (Baltimore, D.C.) before? If not, are there things you’re looking forward to checking out the most?

We played the Weinberg Center in Frederick in 2014 and are stoked about coming back!

And finally, what can we expect from your set at the Americana Fest here in Frederick?

We’re really excited about the show we have these days. It features a lot of songs from our last albums, but also a bunch from a new one that will be out this fall!  

Well. OK, then. In the midst of all this South By Southwest stuff – as well as an open mic we are holding at 200 East on Friday – the Americana Fest is set to go down this weekend at the Weinberg Center. And we, believe it or not, have actually talked to pretty much all the artists set to perform (yet not Keller Williams; he’s simply too good). This week, then, we’ll be running Q’s & A’s with the ones we were lucky enough to speak with. First up is Edna Scahill of Irish folksters We Banjo 3. Among the things we discussed were what broke the band in America, what it’s like to play with the Chieftans, and, of course, what makes a great We Banjo 3 show come together. Oh, and there’s also this that he said:

Our tour is supported by Culture Ireland, a government scheme designed to support the dissemination of Irish culture and heritage across the  globe. Our March tour is part of a special Culture Ireland International Program for 2016: I am Ireland.

So, there’s that. They’ll be taking the stage Saturday night. You won’t want to miss it.

Can you take us back to how the band came together? You guys are awfully esteemed, and very accomplished – what drew you to bluegrass/Americana music in the first place

We play a mix of Irish, folk, bluegrass, and Americana music with a modern twist. It’s fun music and accessible to everyone. There is something for everyone in a We Banjo 3 show. The band started five years ago. I really wanted to explore the heritage and sounds of the banjo, particularly as its journey into folk music and Irish music is so fascinating and so different to other folk instruments. I also wanted a band that was completely different to all other Irish bands on the go at the time. 3 banjos was a mad enough idea, but the response to it was immense, selling out our first ever gig in the Roisin Dubh in Galway. People love the banjo! It is impossible to play banjo without having a mindful ear to its roots in American folk music. The music of Americana, Old Time and Bluegrass is very closely linked to Irish music, and this coupled with the opportunity to tour and perform in the southern states piqued my interest in all things Americana.

Your website says you recorded with Ricky Skaggs and you were a guest with the Chieftains – what are some of your favorite collaborations to date? Playing with the Chieftains sounds like it would be a dream come true.

The opportunity to record with Ricky Skaggs was a truly unbelievable experience. The recording also featured Bluegrass legends Bryan Sutton and Aubrey Haynie. My musical mind was truly blown! The Chieftains are singularly the most successful, long-lived band in Irish folk music. Performing with them was an honor. As We Banjo 3, we’ve had the joy of collaborating with some incredible musicians – we’ve performed live with Mumford & Sons in Ireland, with Ross Holmes and Matt Menafee, and last summer we played a killer set with Eileen Ivers (former Riverdance fiddler) at Milwaukee Irish Fest – a gig that many have attested was the highlight of 35 years of the festival!

At what point did you guys start coming to America to perform? And how did you break through initially?

Our first concert in the U.S. was at Milwaukee Irish Festival in 2012. We had been a three-piece up until that time and had sold out two Irish tours back to back. We knew that we had reached the maximum sound of the band quite quickly and that we needed another musician to really make an impact at a festival like Milwaukee. Thankfully, we absolutely blew up at that festival and we quickly became festival favorites across the U.S. We’re now the biggest Irish touring band in America.

What are some differences between the audiences in Ireland, the audiences in the States, and, of course, audiences in the UK? Do you prefer one to any of the others and why?

We require one thing from our audiences: Let go and enjoy yourselves. To that end, all audiences are largely the same – they have come to be entertained. Our shows are energetic and uplifting, yet there are quieter, more sensitive aspects. We try to offer something for everyone there, to see people smile, laugh and even cry with us. Dancing, foot-stomping and clapping is highly encouraged. Our music is fun. When we started the band we made a pact that we would enjoy what we do and do it for that reason. We love to experiment with different styles, ideas and influences to create something that people haven’t heard before but will be hooked from the first note. There’s a lot of energy and passion in Irish music, we harness that while exploring the subtleties and earthiness of folk music.

Who are some of your major influences and why? 

The answer to this question changes all the time. I’m constantly listening to different music and my inspiration is is a journey that hopefully will never change. As a teenager, I could have said Pink Floyd but you might never guess that now. These days, it’s artists like Sarah Jarosz, Punch Brothers and Steel Drivers. We’ve just finished recording a new album and I spent a lot of time trying to inhabit an Abigail Washburn style of banjo sound.

Are there artists out there right now, who you can’t get enough of? Who should we know about who might not already be on our radar?

I absolutely love Sarah Jarosz’s sound. There’s a brilliant new Irish vocal group called The Evertides who I really like listening to. I’m a big fan of Iron & Wine and Sam Amidon. Also, the Barr Brothers

Have you guys, by chance, ever been to Frederick, Maryland, or the surrounding area (Baltimore, D.C.)? If not, are there things you’re looking forward to checking out?

Yes, we played The Weinberg Center this time last year and absolutely loved it. Touring and being on the road doesn’t leave much time for sight-seeing. For some reason in America they decided to put everything very far apart, so we spend lots of time in the van!

You’ve written a share of books, I see – which do you prefer more when it comes to the banjo: Performing it or writing about it?

Performing! I’ve yet to meet a writer of any description who hasn’t almost died from finishing a book. My two nearly killed me; you’d think I’d have learned the first time! I’m very very passionate about the banjo. It is quite a difficult instrument to master and years of teaching demonstrate to me that poor technique is a massive barrier to effective playing. I spent a long time developing the first-ever pedagogical method for Irish banjo. It’s simple, effective and, when applied with care, really works. I’ve had so much wonderful positive feedback from all over the world from people using my books that it was worth the labor.

Is there anyone out there who you haven’t collaborated with, who you’d like to work with someday? Why?

Dream scenario? Bruce Springsteen. What a showman. His ongoing love for his craft is such an inspiration. I’m pretty sure we could do an amazing version of “Old Dan Tucker!”

And, of course, what can we expect from your set at the Americana Festival here in Frederick?

A good gig is what happens when the audience meets you half way and runs off into the wilderness with you. We ask people to come in, relax and enjoy themselves. How relaxing can stamping your feet, clapping your hands and dancing be? Its like yoga – you let go of whatever is outside that room and become present in the right now. When people do that, we feel it too. A show is the most intimate connection between artist and observer.