The Appleseed Co l l ect i v e What does "folk" music mean to you?
To me, folk music is the true music of the masses. It has deep roots and a tangible connection to the past. There is a sense of carrying the torch in the folk community, of maintaining and re-imagining, evolving while keeping sight of where we've been. I think historically folk music has taken on the struggles of the lower classes, fostering a strong community. Folk music is about more than just the music. But purely in relation to the music, I think the presence of acoustic instruments is often considered a defining characteristic of folk music.
How do you feel about the increasingly mainstream appeal of folk music?
I think it's promising. The current state of the music industry is in some ways an open door, and a lot of musicians are taking advantage of the opportunity. There are so many dedicated and talented musicians that have been drowned out by pop-culture. It's such a shame that more people know The Jonas Brothers than know The Punch Brothers. But I think that trend is changing, even if just a bit.
Why has Ann Arbor become the base of this beloved, annual festival?
I think Ann Arbor is the base of the festival because there are people here to support it. Ann Arbor has an amazing community of arts supporters, people who want to enrich their own lives and the lives of those around them and are willing, quite frankly, to put their money where their mouth is.
Do have any influences or roots here in Ann Arbor, or in Michigan?
Innumerable. I'm sure each one of us could go off at length about our Michigan and Ann Arbor heroes. [Folk duo] Seth Bernard & May Erlewine lead the way for musicians everywhere. [They] help us keep focused on what is really
Brandon Smith ( v i o l i n / ma n d o l i n / v o c a l s )
Ann Arbor's own gypsy folk-plusragtime crusaders The Appleseed Collective began performing in 2010. They will release their new album, Young Love, this winter.
important. Josh Davis and the gents of Steppin' In It are songwriting/shredding monsters. Breathe Owl Breathe reminds us to stay light and play with it.
Folk music is evolving in many directions, these days— blending with pop music, country, metal and mainstream electronic—where do you see the genre growing in the coming decade?
Who knows! I'm very interested in pushing the limitations of what can be done with acoustic instruments—there are a couple bands out there bravely exploring this territory. Punch Brothers' cover of Radiohead's “Kid A” is a good example. ecurrent.com / january 2014 11