the folk life

Honky Tonk, Hymns and the Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Terrible Tattoos: The Worst Folk Art?

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:15:00 +0000

I think a case could be made that tattoos are folk art (arguments about what is or is not "folk" music or art officially constitutes 76/87ths of my life). While the evolution of the form is a history shared by many cultures, there is certainly a particularly American or Western bent that can be found in the form as well.

And this brings me to today's blopic (so if "blog" is an acceptable contraction for web-log, you bet your sweet maple syrup that "blopic" is an acceptable tri-traction of web, log, and topic): Many, many stupid people are practicing this folk art. Exhibit A:
No Caption Necessary.

Of course, there are those well intentioned folks who hope to honor their loved ones in many small ways. If you are one of these good-natured types, let me give you a little folk wisdom: your loved one will not be honored by the bloody creation of their blue-ish mug on your arm, leg, or pec. And in ten years your sagging skin will only add to the distaste they feel for their own sagging skin, making your tattoo the perpetual reminder of physical deterioration.

And, as always with the creation of folk art, drunkenness during the time of conception is a bad idea. Is this regard, ignore Robert Zimmerman- do think twice, it's not alright.

Folk Alliance International 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:36:00 +0000

Thanks to Louis Myers and all the good folks at Folk Alliance International I had a splendid time in Memphis, which didn't involve a mobile, being stuck, or the blues (except musically). The Folk Alliance International Conference is a annual assembly of some of the highest quality artists and music biz folks.

Music gives me life. Even after 5 days, as I was claiming to be "all folked out," I was still chatting with Dom from the Carolina Chocolate Drops and feeling psyched for the new music coming from his direction (first major label release out shortly).

Aside from CCD, there were quite a number of artists worth checking out. The Gypsy Hombres, with their high end gypsy jazz (I was met with the realization that I would never play as fast or clean as their blind, lap picking guitarist Rory Hoffman). The Good Lovelies- tight harmonies, great stage presence, and the humor to keep you rolling (quotable quote, "we love her, she makes our hearts barf"). Check out the video for "Lie Down"- I love their interactions with each other. And, of course, there is the Sweetback Sisters, the raucous honky tonk quintet that we helped present at the Philly Opry last week at Johnny Brendas.

All in all, a blast, and well worth the trip to see our Canadian friends at the Sweet Beaver Suite, presenting Morgan O'Kane ("the sound of Appalachia stuck in Brooklyn") and Nudie and the Turks (fresh, guitar-orgasmic country) among others. Check out videos of the former:

Use your highest register to recite The Low Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:44:00 +0000

My dad has met, been roommates, and generally fraternized with renowned musicians for the better part of his life. He took up residence in LA in his youth and hob-knobbed with the California musical elite. While, not a musician himself, he consistently surrounded himself with pretty quality artistic spirits. His small stories that time have swirled in my mind like a kaleidoscope. The ideal social context: music all about, musicians in and out.

The reason I mention this, is that my father became decidedly star-struck upon meeting Jesse Winchester a few years back. Giddy, actually.

Winchester is the quintessential heart-tugging, ex-patriot songwriter. A little-known Canadian perfectly elucidating the even lesser-known Tennessee Waltz that so many tortured souls have tried to put to song: "Oh my, but you have a pretty face/You favor I girl that I knew/I imagine that she's back in Tennessee/And by God, I should be there too/I've a sadness too sad to be true."

I mean Jesse Winchester is pretty amazing- see for yourself. But I should admit that I was quite embarrassed to see my father gushing so plainly over an artist. I mean, this was supposed to be Gene Landis, the bee's knees, the radio station hip cat, my personal rock critic, too cool for school. Time passed, and I pushed my cool judgment of this moment deep into the back of my brain.

Then, this year, I saw The Low Anthem at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia. I mean, I dug the recordings that I had heard from them almost a year before. But seeing them that night, going from the raunchy stomp of "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around," to the hush of "This Damn House," and the final string strum of their Cohen cover "Bird On a Wire," I was taken.

After the show I was chatting about folk music and the Philadelphia Folk Festival with TLA's singer and English-hornsman Ben Knox Miller. I held in my preschoolish adoration for their set, we hit it off, and exchanged cell phone numbers to try and connect later. Safe from embarrassment- I had kept myself together. Or so I thought.

After we had booked TLA for the Folk Fest, and some normal small talk texts back and forth, and I had listened to their EP way too many times on repeat, I had a little too much wine one night and got the perfect idea to text Ben and let him know "I think you are in my favorite band right now..." and so on and so forth. I have worked in the music industry in many forms over the last decade, and you'd think that I know better than to blurt these kinds of things, to become, essentially, my father's son.

But it's true. The Low Anthem is a poignant, scream to whisper folk band. I accept my father's cloak of unabashed, unrelenting admiration for the truest music I can find. Turn off the lights and listen to "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin," and I think you'll join me in writing the next epic Cameron Crowe flick.

I can't wait to see them at the Philly Folk Fest on August 16. I may try to apologize for my shameful text. But I might also paint "I love the Low Anthem" or "Ben Know Miller for president" on my chest.

I still haven't decided.

The flavor of the week.

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:17:00 +0000

As we sit and consider our own marketing for the Philadelphia Folk Festival, I was so happy that a friend sent me a link to what has become my new favorite website:

YourLogoMakesMeBarf.com

My personal favorite barf logo:

Continental! Tell me what you think...

The professional

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Here at the Philadelphia Folksong Society, we have officially announced two of the toppermost names at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 14-16, 2009 at Old Pool Farm in Schwenksville, PA. (banjo head roll please...)

The Decemberists

The Derek Trucks Band

They, along with other new acts West Philadelphia Orchestra and Shannon Lambert-Ryan with RUNA, are joining a pretty unbelievable lineup of acts:

Alela Diane

Del McCoury

and more: Adrien Reju, Boris Garcia, Caravan of Thieves, Chris Kasper, Ellis Paul, Enter The Haggis, Erik Mongrain, Frog Holler, Gene Shay, Joe Pug, Justin Townes Earle, Langhorne Slim, Marissa Nadler, Rebirth Brass Band, Sara Hickman, Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka, Sonny Landreth, The Folk Brothers, Tom Rush, Tony Trischka, Wissahickon Chicken Shack, Women in Docs, Works Progress Administration, Zach Djanikian

Get discounted tickets at folkfest.org now

The personal

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:33:00 +0000

While I was camping a few weeks ago, my great friend Spence died. He was humble, friendly, curious, open-minded, and carefree. And he was a dog.

When we adopted him just before Thanksgiving 2007, I thought that for the most part I was chiefly trying on the cloak of kindness. It was a simple move with the purpose of rescuing an animal. Then I get this California surfer dude of a dog with bleach blonde hair and a zenlike perspective on his own sentience. He was only 2, and I will surely miss him.

This is him with a cup on his nose.
It was good ride, boy.

Spence 2007-2009

a new blog life

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:53:00 +0000

This is a new day. I will blog more:

-consistently
-engaged-ly
-personnally

Keep checking back. Don't leave me now.

Peg Leg Sam had it worse than you...

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:15:00 +0000

A few months back, my flatmate Zach came in ecstatic about a website that promotes folk culture, folklore, music, and Appalachian life. He played a video called "Born for Hard Luck"-a doozy of a short film documentary about Peg Leg Sam Jackson.

Talk about a fascinating life. Peg Leg was severely injured by a train-hop gone bad. His face was mutilated, his leg amputated, and his story...enriched.

The video, which you can see by clicking here, follows Peg Leg through the American South, as he sells snake oil and wins over hometowns with his insane harmonica jives and illegible speech.

I rave about this to Seth Holzman, harmonica virtuoso and music teacher here at Philadelphia Folksong Society and Seth informs me that Peg Leg came through the area, and even played our very own Philadelphia Folk Festival. Here is a shot, where you can see the man and the myth, and the classic homemade Philly Folk fence:

It's a good time to be a Philadelphian

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:25:00 +0000

Last night, as I swooped around a pole on the North side of city hall, and looked around at so many smiling, high-fiving, statue-climbing Philadelphian denizens, I felt very alive. Philadelphia is first at something.

The sentiment is usually the force that makes me lean away from sports-the inherent conquering motif. Last night, though, it was hard to abandon the feeling of distinct deservedness that came with the Phillies World Series win. Not to mention, baseball has a semantic quality more rich than proverbial apple pie.

Today, with little sleep, I feel unusually alive in tackling some of the problems that face my work in the arts world. Folk arts are underfunded, economic pundits claim that every arts association will be hit harder than other industry organizations, and music education is diminishing. But I won't be beaten by this.

We are the champions...

I am looking forward to this upcoming show, and the beginning to a partnership with Allen's Lane Art Center.

Music for every Philadelphia child!

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:36:00 +0000

I have been kept from sleep for many nights this week. Philadelphia schools, despite recent claims for change, continue to lose music and arts education programs by (give or take) 20% every year. At times of economic uncertainty, audiences attend less performances, arts organizations are hit hard, and undoubtedly, schools cut music and arts education.

Despite research and evidence that suggests that music and arts engage the spatial-temporal neurons of the brain, raise test scores, and help with important developments in the brain, it seems like many seem to buy in to the idea that music and arts are subsidiary. I disagree. And I would love to see the Philadelphia Folksong Society lead a charge to help make music and arts available to every single child in Philadelphia.

It is a lofty endeavor. It will require a coalition involvement of arts organizations; families; churches, synagogues, and mosques; school administrators; foundations; corporations; artists; and others. Uniting such groups can prove especially daunting, but the alternative is devastating. By partnering, Philadelphia could send a clear message that arts are too important to be swept aside.

A coalition plan could see individuals and organizations 1) building awareness about our concerns and 2) implementing programs to change the contextual framework of music and arts education. The coalition would build awareness at arts and cultural events. What is more, an implementation plan would involve schools and principals as well as community artists offering free or affordable music and arts classes outside of schools.

The connection for the Philadelphia Folksong Society is obvious. Not only is education a focal point of our mission, but folk arts call on the person-to-person interaction that such a coalition effort would require. My entire world-view and thought processes have been altered and shaped by my understanding of music. Now it is time to come together and build a cultural landscape that can carry into every facet of Philadelphia life.

It's more than cheesesteaks and cream cheese here.

More about October's Monthly Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Click here to check out the press release for the show!

It is getting picked up by a good deal of press.
For the basic info:

Philadelphia Folksong Society presents
Michael Chapman (UK)
w. Jack Rose

U.S. Opening Date
Sunday October 5, 8pm

Commodore Barry Club
6815 Emlen Street (R8 train)
Philadelphia, PA 19119

Free for members, $5 for non-members
email LLandis@Pfs.org for more details

First Monthly Concert of 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:57:00 +0000

I'm pumped that Michael Chapman and Jack Rose are touring together in the East coast. Chapman has been making great folk music since the 60's and Rose graced the Philadelphia Folk Festival stage this year, and really expanded a few minds. It's always interesting to shake up the UK and American accents as well.

All this to say I am glad that the Philadelphia Folksong Society is hosting these two as the kick-off to the 2008-09 monthly concert series. We have a date set: Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 8pm. Venue is TBD...just too torn about where to place this show in and around the city. Monthly concerts are always free to members, and it will be $5 for anyone else.

If you haven't heard Jack Rose, it will be worth your while, (read: personal recommendation).

The thinking for the new season is that it may be interesting to get what is sometimes seen as the fringe of PFS mission (folklore, crafts, international music, participation, culinary arts) and bring it in the fold in a multi-dimensional way. Rather that just have a showcase or concert, I think it would be wild to have crafts all through the room, a storyteller kick off the night, showcase the artist/s, and then end with a jam or sing....

Thoughts?

Proliferation of Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:24:00 +0000

I started my graduate classes at Villanova University yesterday. I am extremely excited by a few things, namely, being in a context where there is a proliferation of ideas and learning. What's more, it seems that my program (Master's in Public Administration) will be able to give practical studies for the organizations with which each student is working. This will hopefully mean that PFS will benefit from much of the course that I am working through. One of the first projects in my Structure and Theory of Organizations class is to develop a formal SWOT analysis and theory of change for the organization. I believe this is serendipity, as PFS is in the heart of strategic shifting and transition.

Enough with the director speak.... I had an incredible Philadelphia Folk Festival, as aided by beautiful friends, volunteers, strangers, and jammers. Thanks to everyone who made it a huge success. I don't soon want to lose the feeling of engaging so intimately with other musicians, music-lovers, or artists. In short, I can't wait for Fall Fling! Check out FallFling.org if you are interested.

Also, I just created a "badge" for PFS through Six Degrees. What it is, basically, is a web-based application (a widget) that can let people know about or contribute to a non-profit organization. Check it out:

Excitement in everything...

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:14:00 +0000

When you are looking forward to the next few years of visioning and planning, you really can find joy in all the details of operations and management. I am doing some serious grantwriting and technical work, but it is within the stream of this creative process of helping develop art and artists in the area.

I am brainstorming with Justin, my program manager, to develop a networking system for artists in the area. We hope to make it a comprehensive web of craftspeople, musicians, and other folk artists. If we can better integrate with these artists and thusly help them co-mingle, I am sure we will more fully realize our mission. It could essentially be another level of membership, with its own set of benefits and perks. Working name: Philadelpha Folk Artists Network (PFAN).

More to come...

swwwwimming...

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:47:00 +0000

The last 17 days have as the ED at the Philadelphia Folksong Society have reignited that drive in me that has been lacking for quite some time. That push toward a mission that is larger than myself, larger than the (ever-crumbling) dollar. I love the mission here, the dedication to the "the encouragement, dissemination, enjoyment of folk music..." Music has crept into almost every powerful moment of my life. It's a context I can never seem to escape.

But the truth is that a mission statement only comes to life after the agents of the organization create a tangible plan for its execution. I don't that we've completely seen that here at PFS, but I can say that even this week, I have been utterly taken by how many invested individuals are hanging around, doing their best to bring make this thing breathe. Let's take the evenings for example:

Monday night: A Festival management meeting. New ideas, even in a 47-year old project. Old ideas, brought back to life and recontectualized. Humor. Memories. Complaints. Recalculations. A virtual mouth and hand gesture tour (which I need!) of the Old Pool Farm, noting any layout changes for 2008. Buses. Wild Bill. Hindsight. Foresight. Concern.

Wednesday night: A Board meeting. Reports, formalities, comparisons, budgets. At one point I thought we were going to have to hoola hoop at the August meeting to satisfy the bylaws. Kind words, frustrations. Comraderie. Concerned members, dedicated Directors.

And while this (Thursday) evening and weekend haven't come, I fully expect similar experiences as the chairpersons meet, and as my staff represents PFS at the Xponential Music Fest.

To me, it's been like being at a family holiday meal or reunion. People talking over each other. Old gruges, new dreams. Old dreams, new gruges. A familiarity with each other and the psychological analysis of one another. And just as being at the family table, I want in.

What has been great about this family is...they have let me in. And together we hope to join the greater cultural community and include music and arts lovers all across this area. And all the while, the music. Always the music.

on the subject of first things

noreply@blogger.com (Levi Landis) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:02:00 +0000

And so starts my first week at the Philadelphia Folksong Society. In the reversed words of Eliot: "not with a whimper, but with a bang." I am virtually swimming in a decades worth of archived records, thoughts, emotions, hopes, and shared musical experiences. It is a peculiar experiment in thrusting someone like myself that cares so much about the future of folk music, and amongst a member base of folks that have been extrememly involved with the evolution folk music in the Greater Philadelphia area for the last 50 years.

I fear I must learn by fire the insane task of bringing structure (implementing policies, evaluating programs, developing funds) to the unstructurable (a campfire jam, the claw of 5 fingers across a banjo, a gypsy train hopper selling homemade soap). And yet I take heart as I sit in an office, where one would think that only sterile activities occur, and I am delving into the organic. At the moment, I am surrounded by music that will be at this years Philadelphia Folk Festival (currently, "Dying Breed" by Allison Moorer...so good), friends that share in the passion of forging this ship ahead (thank you Justin Nordell for coming on board as program manager, and to Matt for showing just where to hit the fax machine to make it work), and the encouragement of so many Society members, board members, and chairpersons that have called in the first week.

The "thank you"s are already too numberable to mention, but I must say that I am delighted that Lisa Schwartz is a working President, who gives days out of her week to make sure, one may say, that the songs don't stop being sung. I have had the experience to work in the non-profit world for the better part of the last decade, but I am truly anticipating the work that Philadelphia Folksong Society can accomplish in the near future.

I hope this blog will serve as a spot to pontificate my thoughts and musings, whether you are a festival attendee, Society member, volunteer, personal friend or family member. Please share your comments and hullabaloo!

Good vibes your way...