Sunday, August 21, 2011

Folk of Flight



Folk of Flight is an alternative folk band from St. Louis made up of Paul Ranheim and Karen Choi, who met after graduate school.

“We met while both performing solo acts at a coffee house,” the band said in an interview. “We also were both graduate students in St. Louis.”

The band started playing in January of this year and has been happy with its success so far.

“Our goal was simply to explore the local music scene together,” the band said. “We wanted to give shape to what we were doing collectively, so we formed Folk of Flight. At that point, we had no plans to record the EP and no idea how long we would play together.”

Being from two different backgrounds, both Ranheim and Choi find a great sound.
“Somehow, it is a really natural fit,” Choi said. “Although, Paul is always trying to make our songs less country and I’m always trying to put a southern country beat on our tunes. But, somewhere in that tug of war, we find our sound.”

The band released its EP in July after a short time.
“We found ourselves sitting in a studio with a local sound engineer we met through a mutual friend,” the band said. “He told us to pick a weekend to record and that he would do the project for free. After we caught our breath, we got something on the calendar, invited some talented friends to play on the project and before we knew it, we were making plans to release an EP.”

After the release of the band’s first EP, it was posted on Noisetrade to help promote its music.
“Noisetrade is a great resource for artists,” the band said. “It allows us to extend our music to many, beyond our immediate local scope. Fans download our tunes for free in exchange for sharing our music with their friends on facebook or twitter.”

In the future, the band hopes to record its first full-length album and to continue seeing where its music goes.

“We were joking the other day that our future is a perpetual ellipsis,” the band said. “Sometimes we feel like we’re just along for the ride. We want to keep honing our sound as a duo and lean into our natural collaborative relationship.”

http://www.folkofflight.com/



Interview with Folk of Flight:
How and when did you get your start in music?

Karen: I’ve been writing lyrics and putting them to melodies since I was 6 or 7. I picked up the guitar when I was about 15. My dad played and he, along with a few other friends, taught me the basics. I learned on his old '73 Martin.

Paul: Well, when I was three, I saw my brother playing the piano and, of course, wanted to play too. So I began taking lessons at three. Through the years I learned various other instruments (violin, bass, guitar, mandolin, etc). I owe all my musical ability and motivation to my parents--I remember countless nights sitting next to my dad as he sang and played, and my dear mother patiently drove me to countless lessons and rehearsals. 

How did you meet each other?
We met while both performing solo acts at a coffee house. We also were both graduate students in St Louis--so our paths crossed in a couple of ways. We knew each other for two years before we started working together and when we did, it was good.
Being from two different musical backgrounds, how do you combine your styles?
Karen: We’re not entirely sure how it works! Somehow it is a really natural fit. Although, Paul is always trying to make our songs less country and I’m always trying to put a southern country beat on our tunes. But, somewhere in that tug of war we find our sound.

Paul: Why does sweet taste so good with sour? Who knows--it's just delicious! 
When first starting Folk of Flight, what were your goals? Have you been able to accomplish them?
We started playing together last January, just over 6 months ago. Our goal was simply to explore the local music scene together. We wanted to give shape to what we were doing collectively so we formed Folk of Flight. At that point, we had no plans to record the EP and no idea how long we would play together. We’ve both been surprised at how the process has unfolded these last few months. It’s been fun! 

Who are some of your influences? Have you been able to meet or play with them?
Karen: My top three influences are Patty Griffin, Over the Rhine and Josh Ritter. I’ve never met any of them and drool at the idea of playing with them.
Paul: My dad, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Michael Kelly Blanchard, David Wilcox, and too many others to mention. And yes, I've actually played with my dad quite a bit! 
What is the inspiration for the songs you write?
Karen: Everything is fair game. For me, my marriage, my kids, the lives of friends or strangers, my faith, my questions & struggles all play significant roles in inspiring my writing.

Paul: The same as Karen, except for the marriage and kids part...  
How did you start the recording process for your self-titled EP?
There wasn’t much of a process! In June we found ourselves sitting in a gorgeous studio with a local sound engineer we met through a mutual friend. He told us to pick a weekend to record and that he would do the project for free. After we caught our breath, we got something on the calendar, invited some talented friends to play on the project and before we knew it we were making plans to release an EP in July.
Has it been worth it that you put your EP on Noisetrade? If yes, why?
Definitely. Noisetrade is a great resource for artists. It allows us to extend our music to many, beyond our immediate local scope. It’s a brilliant set up: fans download our tunes for free in exchange for sharing our music with their friends on facebook or twitter. We benefit from the promotion and networking and hopefully listeners enjoy what they hear from us!
Where have you been able to play and where would you like to go?
At this point, we have primarily played locally, given the recent formation of our band. We’re just starting to set our sights elsewhere.
What has been your greatest success?
Recording the EP in one crazy, sleep-deprived weekend and then releasing it a month later (after many hours of mixing) has been a success!
What do you do on your free time outside of the band?
Karen: Spend time with my family. I have two little boys and they keep me quite busy!
Paul: I really enjoy the outdoors. Water-skiing, snow skiing, hiking, ultimate frisbee--really anything in the clean air. 
What are your future plans?
We were joking the other day that our future is a perpetual ellipsis (…). This whole process has unfolded in unexpected ways for us so sometimes we feel like we’re just along for the ride. We want to keep honing our sound as a duo and lean into our natural collaborative relationship. We would love to record a full-length album together and follow the musical trails wherever they may lead. 

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