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Folk Bitch Trio: Redefining Folk Music with Honesty, Harmonies, and a Touch of Humiliation
Folk music is experiencing a vibrant resurgence, and leading the charge is Folk bitch Trio (FBT). This Australian trio - Sinclair, Heide Peverelle, and Jeanie Pilkington – isn’t simply playing folk music; they’re reshaping it with raw honesty, captivating vocal arrangements, and a willingness to explore the messy realities of young adulthood.Their debut album,Now Would Be A Good Time,is a testament to their unique approach,earning them critical acclaim and a growing fanbase.
But their journey wasn’t a straight path to acoustic guitars and close harmonies. Let’s delve into the story of how FBT found their voice and what makes them stand out in today’s musical landscape.
From Jazz Aspirations to Folk Revelation
Each member of FBT initially pursued different musical avenues. Sinclair, the vocalist, honed her skills in jazz, performing professionally from her teens. Peverelle explored piano and art, while Pilkington studied jazz harmony.
Interestingly, folk music wasn’t always a passion.Peverelle admits to initially dismissing it as “daggy and uncool.” However, as many musicians discover, perspectives evolve. ”Then you get to 17, 18 and think, ‘Whatever I like is cool to me, it doesn’t actually matter,'” they explain. this realization paved the way for FBT’s formation in 2019.
Forged in Lockdown, Refined on Tour
The band’s genesis coincided with extended regional lockdowns. This unexpected period of isolation became a crucible for their sound. Pilkington describes it as a time of directionlessness, but also a valuable space for creative exploration. “We were fresh out of school and maybe a little bit directionless and didn’t really want to do anything apart from hang out most days and sing,” she says.
Since then, FBT has shared stages with established artists like M Ward and Julia Jacklin.These experiences have allowed them to refine their signature blend of intricate harmonies, acoustic instrumentation (all three members play guitar, tho not concurrently), and sharply observed lyrics.
Influences and the Art of Vocal Alchemy
FBT’s musical DNA is rich with influences. They cite Rufus Wainwright, Nick Drake, and Lucinda Williams as key inspirations. However, it’s the partnership of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings that resonates most deeply.Pilkington recalls Soul Journey being a formative soundtrack. “Before I even had a formulated idea of what it meant to love music, I loved those songs. It’s so real and you can hear the room.” Sinclair echoes this sentiment, praising Rawlings’ understated brilliance. “dave is invisible and that is a marker of a gorgeous blend.”
This pursuit of seamless vocal interplay is central to FBT’s sound. They describe their harmonies as a “puzzle to be solved,” constantly evolving and complementing each other.
Defining the “folk Bitch” Aesthetic
So, what does it mean to be a “folk Bitch”? It’s more than just a name.
Authenticity: It’s about expressing your truth,unfiltered,through music and life.
Earnestness: Embracing vulnerability and sincerity, even when it feels awkward.
Humor: Finding the humor in the mundane, the embarrassing, and the heartbreaking.
musicality: Pairing raw emotionality with delicate acoustic arrangements.
As Peverelle puts it, their songs frequently enough explore “sex and general humiliation,” delivered with a disarming blend of honesty and charm. But don’t mistake their playful attitude for a lack of seriousness. “We take our music as seriously as someone who’s playing heavy rock’n’roll,” Pilkington emphasizes.
The Essence of FBT: A Bold Declaration
Ultimately, Folk Bitch Trio is about embracing the complexities of being a young adult. Sinclair encapsulates their ethos perfectly: “The sentiments we want to express are all the things you would be feeling as a 23-year-old – lame, frustrated, heartbroken, excited and overjoyed – and the essence of Folk Bitch Trio is, ‘Fuck everything, this is what we can do.’ And
