Tag: authentic

Basic Folk Debate Club: Performance vs. Authenticity

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Welcome to Folk Debate Club, our occasional crossover series with fellow folk-pod Why We Write! Today, to discuss Performance vs. Authenticity, we welcome our panel of guests: music journalist and former singer/songwriter Kim Ruehl, Isa Burke (Lula Wiles, Aoife O’Donovan), illustrious male folk singer Willi Carlisle, musician and Basic Folk guest host Lizzie No, and yours truly, Cindy Howes, boss of Basic Folk.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • STITCHER • AMAZON • MP3

In music (and life), there is debate over authenticity versus performative. On stage, in written music, online and in person: what is the artist going for? Realness or entertainment? It doesn’t seem that simple. There are many examples of artists who do both very well and I think the best art is created at the intersection of the two.

There is no question: it’s hard to pull off. We want to try and break down what each of these elements is in music, how to achieve each and what is more important: to perform a personality or just be your genuine self?

Photo Credit: Sam Kassirer (Isa Burke); Cole Nielsen (Lizzie No); Rich Amory (Kim Ruehl); Joseph W. Brown (Willi Carlisle)

LISTEN: Band of Ruhks, “My Ol’ Tattoo”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Band of Ruhks
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee / Kentucky
Song: “My Ol’ Tattoo”
Album: Authentic
Release Date: October 18, 2019
Label: Rebel Records

In Their Words: “‘My Ol’ Tattoo’ is a song that I had tinkered with for several years. I thought I had it finished a few times but really didn’t. We were having a writing session at Ronnie Bowman’s place with the awesome up-and-coming writer Billy Droze and I pulled this one out. They both loved it and we retooled it, making several changes that really nailed it. I had a Cajun feel in mind when I initially came up with the song and then when we got together to finish it, it took on a life of its own. I really like this one and owe Billy and Ronnie a ton for making it what it is!” — Don Rigsby, Band of Ruhks

Photo credit: Jeromie Stephens

You Need a Costume

Posted on by Editor

It's almost Halloween! If you haven't figured out a costume yet, fear not. We at the BGS have put together eight of the rootsiest Halloween costumes we could think of. So, head to your closet, grab something brown or old or expensive, and get to work!

A Hay Bale 

See above.

A Dustbowler

[Smithsonian Institution / Foter / No known copyright restrictions]

Step 1: Cover yourself in dust. Seriously, get so dusty. Maybe take a Benadryl first, if you're prone to allergies.  

Step 2: Find pre-war boots. The less comfortable, the better — lesser minds will mistake your pain for thoughtfulness.

Step 3: Strap on a banjo and put on your best porkpie hat. Can't play the banjo? Doesn't matter!

Step 4: Tell everyone about your new musical project, Rusty Sunday School. 

Step 5: Spend the rest of the night avoiding the eggs everyone should throw at you, you asshole.

Kale

[B*2 / Foter / CC BY-ND]

Go to the grocery store, buy some kale, and tape it to yourself. Don't have any tape? Just carry the bag around and go on and on about the health benefits of green juice. Punch anyone who says the word "iceberg."

Mumford’s Son

[msmail / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND]

Walk around carrying a hair sample and ask every man of the appropriate age and facial hair if he is your father. Murmur something about how your nightmares are haunted by the same damn banjo roll, and how you wish you knew why suspenders made you cry.

Denim

[Adrianne Behning Photography / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND]

Wear all denim, à la Canadian tuxedo. Cross your fingers a drunk person mistakes you for an expensive pair of jeans and hands you $200. Pass go. 

The Post-#Authentic Man

[JeepersMedia / Foter / CC BY]

Put on an American Eagle polo and some loose-fitting jeans. Openly profess your love for T.G.I. Friday's and your disdain for grammatically incorrect hashtags. Carry around a six-pack of Bud Light Lime-A-Rita and ask who's going to next month's Imagine Dragons concert. Get a Droid.

An Edison Bulb

[Andi Campbell-Jones / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA]

Draw a light bulb on a t-shirt and attach a $75 price tag to it. 

A Fucking Mason Jar

[Eric Kilby / Foter / CC BY-SA]

Stay home and re-evaluate your life choices.

Lede photo courtesy of jc-pics / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND