TheFolkaDots

The Folka Dots Play on Main Street - www.sundance.com

The members of local band The Folka Dots have been playing music individually for many years. But it was not until a few months ago that the group found each other and made the decision to create The Folka Dots. The quintet may be new on the local
music scene, but they are already ahead of most with a Christmas show later this
month and a studio album already in the works. We talk to the group to find out
what their plans are and why you should be paying attention to The Folka Dots.

How long have The Folka Dots been making music?
We have all been making music in our own respects for a long time. The Folka Dots started out with just Marie, Corinne and Kiki getting together and learning covers for fun. Andy and Brian had also been doing the same separately and somehow miraculously we found each other and started playing together. As a group, we have been together for a couple months and now we are writing original songs and just having a grand ole time.

How would you describe TFD music?
There’s something inherently pastoral and antiquated about our music — It’s very “oldtimey.” We are really influenced and inspired by artists of the past, that makes our music is very folky; with influences in country, blues and bluegrass. We have a lot of original songs and some very fun, traditional folk/country/blues cover songs — we really love it when people can’t tell whether we’re playing an original, or a cover from way back when. One thing that we would say really sets our sound apart is our three-part harmonies. It’s just plain nice to listen to ... we think.

Who are some of your musical inspirations?
We could go on for hours! Luckily, we are all kindred spirits when it comes to our
musical tastes. As a band our music is really shaped the most by artists like Bob Dylan, the Carter Family, Hank Williams and Leadbelly. We all have a deep appreciation for traditional American folk and blues, and it definitely shows in our music.

What sets TFD apart from other bands in Utah?
A few things that set our band apart from others in Utah is our unique sound, passion
and chemistry. Three-part, female harmonies are unusual; add the folky sounds of the
bass, guitar, fiddle and tambourine and you’re being exposed to a genre of music that
many people don’t get to hear and maybe didn’t even know they liked. Also, we’re
terribly passionate about the music we play. We share a genuine love (mild obsession) for it and often marvel at the fact that five people with such specific tastes in music were brought together. When you see or hear the Folks Dots, it’s clear that we really connect with each other not only on a musical level, but as good friends. That comes easily, as our band consists of two sisters, a best friend and two really awesome guys that are so fun to spend time with. Honestly, we just have a lot of fun. We feel that what we have as a band is exceptionally rare.

Why should people check out your music?
It’s a type of music that really anyone can listen to and enjoy. I think people can really connect to any artist that draws from the influences we do. It’s our history. We think it’s important to keep those roots influences going.

Do The Folka Dots have any albums out?
Not yet, we are hard at work recording our first album at Counterpoint Studios thanks to our good friend, recording engineer Dan Buehner. We expect it to be released in
February.

Tell us about your upcoming show.
We will be playing on Dec. 17 at the Hive Gallery inside Trolley Square. We will be
hosting “the Folka Dots Classic Country Christmas” with friends and fellow musicians
the Trappers. It’s going to be so much fun. Anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas
the good old-fashioned way, should definitely be there.

What do you see for the future of TFD?
We all have a similar idea of where we want to go with The Folka Dots. I think it’s safe
to say that we would all head out on the road and try to make a living off of it, if the
opportunity arises. I’m sure that is the goal of most musicians but I think our
determination and chemistry will make that a lot more possible. In the near future we
hope to be playing around Salt Lake more. We are such a new band that we haven’t
really had the chance to get out there, but we will. - In This Week

By Autumn Thatcher - The Salt Lake Tribune
First published Dec 13 2010 07:04AM

Members of The Folka Dots have been playing music individually for many years. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that the quintet — which performs unique three-part female harmonies — started playing together on the local music scene.

They jumped in quickly, planning a Christmas show on Dec. 17. A studio album also is in the works. Band members are sisters Marie Bradshaw (guitar/vocals) and Kiki Sieger (tambourine/vocals), their best friend Corinne Gentry (fiddle/vocals) as well as Andy Murphy (upright bass/vocals/guitar) and Brian Manecke (guitar).

We talked to the group recently about their music and inspirations.

How did the band get started?
The Folka Dots started out with just Marie, Corinne and Kiki getting together and learning covers for fun. Andy and Brian had also been doing the same separately and miraculously we found each other and started playing together. As a group, we have been together for a couple months. We are writing original songs and just having a grand ol’ time.

Describe your music.
There’s something inherently pastoral and antiquated about our music — it’s very “old-timey.” We are really influenced and inspired by artists of the past; that makes our music very folky, with influences in country, blues and bluegrass. We have a lot of original songs and some very fun, traditional folk/country/blues cover songs. We really love it when people can’t tell whether we’re playing an original or a cover from way back when. One thing that we would say really sets our sound apart is our three-part harmonies. We think it’s just plain nice to listen to.

Who are your musical inspirations?
We could go on for hours! Luckily, we are all kindred spirits when it comes to our musical tastes. As a band our music is really shaped the most by artists like Bob Dylan, the Carter Family, Hank Williams and Leadbelly. We all have a deep appreciation for traditional American folk and blues, and it definitely shows.

What makes the band unique?
Three-part female harmonies are unusual; add the folky sounds of the bass, guitar, fiddle and tambourine and you’re being exposed to a genre of music that many people don’t get to hear and maybe didn’t even know they liked. Also, we’re terribly passionate about the music we play. We share a genuine love (mild obsession) for it and often marvel at the fact that five people with such specific tastes in music were brought together.



- Salt Lake Tribune