Folk Alliance 2011: A Wrap-Up
There was nothing we really could say
The river had swept us away
Like a present hereafter, the warm sound of laughter
As we danced to the Delta Queen Waltz
On Wednesday, after stepping off the elevators at the 19th floor of the Marriott in downtown Memphis, I simply stood for a moment and took in the view of the Mississippi River. It shimmered in the sunlight, awesomely wide, as I drank in that moment of delicious silence. I knew this was like going to be a rare moment of peace before the insanity began, and Folk Alliance would definitely prove to be glorious insanity at times. For four days one is more or less captive in a pitching ark of musicians and industry professionals, all working in various corners of the world of folk music. Days begin with panel discussions, and after a long night of hotel room showcases, that second expensive cup of coffee from the lobby coffee shop becomes necessary medicine to rev the brain cells. The elevators resemble the stateroom scene from the Marx Brothers’ “A Night at the Opera” as everyone crams into a small space, only to tumble out in a pile when the doors open.
But eventually that umpteenth-wind took over as the collective energy of several thousand people, each on similarly little sleep, and each on their own trips through the wilds of the Marriott, buoyed me along. I was reminded, as always, that best laid plans are meaningless at these things, and once I let myself go with the current I got to the heart of Folk Alliance mighty quick.
The heart of FAI was ultimately about building community. To be sure, relentless self-promotion is expected at music conferences, and we all know the music industry at large is adept at building pseudo-fellowships while simultaneously cannibalizing artists as soon as they’ve outlived their fiduciary usefulness. But this conference clearly had a different goal. It was gratifying to see the camaraderie between most attendees, whether musicians or other industry folks. The collaborations and friendships that grew over the conference were built on not only a mutual admiration of talent, but often on a common mission. These are trying times, and it’s positively vital to know we aren’t alone in our fears, frustrations, and hopes. And truth be told, no one in this thing, with a few exceptions, is making much money, so there is a sense of shared survival. There’s strength in that support, and, at a time when so many are facing absurd attacks by vicious political rhetoric, lord knows the community needs its artistic voices to be supported – and broadcast loudly.
If I can be frank, I don’t consider myself much of a cultural critic. I’m just a hopeless, unrepentant geek. The only unifying factor I can find in why I dig some things and don’t connect with others boils down to intent and passion. Watching someone show you something real is soul-feeding. Watching the opposite is crushing. I do however strongly feel American folk music should be, at its best, music that not only comes from that genuine place, but also serves a real purpose in its community. Certainly not every act at FAI ticked that box, but I felt fortunate that most of the bands that played in our own SPPS room did, in a variety of ways.
So, in a spirit of celebration, our rock star taper Keith Bergendorff and myself have put together a digital mix tape, which you’ll find on page three. All of our SPPS showcase sets are represented. On page two, we have reflections from a handful of the truly awesome artists we were fortunate enough to spend time with in Memphis. Hopefully we’ll see y’all at Folk Alliance 2012, but if not you can guarantee the SPPS will be there on site, bringing the sounds straight to your ears and preserving them for the future. Because, to paraphrase John Hartford, that river rolls on, long after we are gone.
Continue reading for reflections from some of the Folk Alliance artists…
