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| Oliver Craven, Maya de Vitry, Charles Muench of the Stray Birds - by Doug Seymour |
Drawing upon the richness of American folk music traditions, the signature power of The Stray Birds sound lies in outstanding songwriting that soars in three-part harmony. Raised on music within a few miles of farmland from each other, The Stray Birds were born of a compelling collaboration between two unique writers and vocalists-- the pure, luxurious voice of Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven's richness of tone and depth of delivery. Grounding their sound in the unshakeable groove of bassist Charles Muench, The Stray Birds are a trio of captivating chemistry and sensitive musicality. From bustling street corners to silent halls, their performances speak to an uncompromising reverence for songs. Their debut cd was named one of the top ten Folk/Americana albums of 2012 by NPR.
Eager for this Friday's show, Root Down In The Shadow caught up with Oliver Craven of The Stray Birds
Root Down In The Shadow: Folk/Americana seems to be at a crossroads right now. Newport Folk Festival and other festivals are reaching crowds like never before. After touring hard for a while now, what bands have you come across that fans should be aware of?
Oliver Craven: "We actually just got back from the Americana Music Conference where not only did we get to showcase, but we also got to take in a lot of music. There were over 100 bands there for the conference. It's great to run across people whose records you've been playing in the midst of discovering new bands to enjoy!
John Fulbright is a guy we dig, having had a chance to open for him in his home state of Oklahoma, last year. We've enjoyed watching, Willie Sugarcapps, a group of Americana all-stars (featuring musicians Will Kimbrough, Grayson Capps, Sugarcane Jane and Corky Hughes) who recently recorded together.
Oliver Craven: "We actually just got back from the Americana Music Conference where not only did we get to showcase, but we also got to take in a lot of music. There were over 100 bands there for the conference. It's great to run across people whose records you've been playing in the midst of discovering new bands to enjoy!
John Fulbright is a guy we dig, having had a chance to open for him in his home state of Oklahoma, last year. We've enjoyed watching, Willie Sugarcapps, a group of Americana all-stars (featuring musicians Will Kimbrough, Grayson Capps, Sugarcane Jane and Corky Hughes) who recently recorded together.
Even if she weren't opening the show at World Cafe Live, I'd still have to mention Anna Egge. She's totally a song writing powerhouse! Really, she's an inspiration to the whole band. We had a chance to record with her earlier this year and she'll be releasing an album where The Stray Birds will be her backing band!!!"
RDITS: The self-titled, full length album The Stray Birds came out July 21, 2012. After or amongst more touring this winter in the US and UK, will there be any time to record a new album?
Oliver Craven: "We actually have two records coming out in the next five to six months! The first record will release in time for the holiday season, is an EP that features our favorite covers including Townes Van Zandt and The Louvin Brothers Brothers, all songs stemming from our live show.
Once we get back from the UK, we will release the next The Stray Birds full length record for the spring!"
RDITS: Playing your first Philadelphia club show since late January, also at World Cafe Live, what can fans expect this time around?
Oliver Craven: "We'll be playing a lot of the new music for sure. The set is going to include a lot of music that will be on the next two records. Certainly newer since our show at World Cafe Live in January, and even more new stuff than our XPoNential Festival or Philadelphia Folk Festival shows late this summer."
RDITS: The Stray Birds made NPR's "Top 10 Folk & Americana Albums Of 2012", any suggestions for this year's list?
Oliver Craven: Jason Isbell's Southeastern has to be on it. I might not be totally up to date with what's released in which year! If we're including Bluegrass we'd have to have Della Mae on the list!
RDITS: For Philadelphia fans that aren't quite ready for Newport Folk Festival, but want to travel a little farther than Camden, NJ for XPoNential Festival or Schwenksville, PA for the Philadelphia Folk Festival, what Mid-Atlantic Folk Festivals (NY, WV, MD, Pa, etc.) would you recommend, based on your touring!
Oliver Craven: Grey Fox Blue Grass Festival in upstate New York, where we saw Della Mae! We went to that one for fun! In the other direction is Watermelon Park Festival in Northern Virginia. A little farther out of the area is BlissFest in Michigan! We've been to that one twice now!
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