Introducing Interview: The Folk Today Project

Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, The Folk Today Project are a new concept band keen to revitalise the relevance and importance of folk music today.

Composer Neil Pharazyn grew up with a strong passion for music, and now – with the band’s debut single ‘The Reason For Living’ – is hoping to bring back folk music with a modern message.

We caught up with Neil to find out more…

Hello The Folk Today Project! Welcome to Gigslutz!
Hi guys. I’m Neil Pharazyn, the organiser of The Folk Today Project and the songwriter. I’m talking for the band.

How and when did you decide to come up with this idea of a concept band?
Last year I decided to set up a band dedicated to the concept of putting the message back into today’s alt folk music. It seemed appropriate to call it The Folk Today Project. Where are today’s “folk message musicians”? Today’s Bob Dylan? Folk music with a message was all over the hit parades during the 1960s. Bob Dylan is still hanging in there – amazingly. But shouldn’t folk music today be stirring things up like it did back then? There are plenty of social issues to sing about – school bullying, hanging out versus dating, mobile device obsession, gay marriage and more.
Come on folk musicians. Add a message about society to your songs and let’s see if we can top the charts again.

What’s the story behind your debut single ‘The Reason For Living’?
A couple of years ago, New York University Professor Eric Klinenberg wrote the best-selling book “Going Solo”. The book’s theme broadly was that an increasing number of people in US big cities are PREFERRING to live alone.
Check out his interview in the New York Times where he notes that “Almost 50 percent of United States adults are single”: http://nyti.ms/1JgpS2A. I believe that the situation is much the same in the UK. Our song ‘The Reason For Living’ is a response to this social phenonemon. I contacted Eric Klinenberg about the song. He said it’s a great idea to write songs on this social change. He wished us lots of success.

What’s the music scene like at the moment in New Zealand?
I’m not a major player, so my opinion may not be a majority one. I see that we have plenty of really skilled musicians. Government support has helped ensure that they get good airplay. The Folk Today Project is based in Wellington, the capital city. I detect jazz enthusiasm here.
Breaking out onto the world stage from New Zealand is a challenge. It’s do-able though. Our fabulous Lorde achieved it brilliantly.

What’s the next step for The Folk Today Project?
At present The Folk Today Project is a studio band. I’m working on a couple of songs about climate change and bullying. The topics are serious, but the music must win. I recognise that message or not we want catchy sing-able lyrics and melody.

Who are your top three favourite folk artists?
Passenger. The Lumineers. Fairpoint Convention.

Describe your sound in three words:
Indie, Alt-Folk.

Huge thanks to Neil for answering our questions!

‘The Reason For Living’ is out now via TFTP. Find out more about The Folk Today Project here.