Local Folk
Here Goes Everything
JMF - 7861

by Al Kunz

Late night on an open road
I got Wilco up on my radio
And everything is gonna be
Gonna be all right

My destination is still unknown
I got a tank of gas but nowhere to go
But everything is gonna be
Gonna be all right

Sometimes when the trials of life have got me down, when I've got a problem that will require long serious thought to resolve, the only solution is to hit the road. Hop in the car. Throw a CD in the player, something that's upbeat, yet serious enough to provide an occasional lyrical distraction. Just drive. Get out of the city. Get off the interstate. Let my mind wander until I've worked things through. Based on the lyrics of "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," I may have passed Local Folk frontman Jon Folk somewhere between Houston and Austin as he was doing the same. Or maybe we passed on a highway between Memphis and Nashville during the time he and alt-country artist Dutch (www.dutchsounds.com) co-fronted the Nashville-based Crowd of One.

Folk assisted with background vocals on Dutch's 2000 solo debut Misery Junkie after the demise of Crowd of One, then relocated to Austin and assembled his own band. In the rocking "Texas State Line," Folk seems to be telling the story of his return to Texas, but he's also singing about the dream of Texas expatriates everywhere.

Didn't need no invitation to get in here
My final destination is right around the bend and it seems so clear
There were girls, guitars, and redneck bars
I'll do 'most anything
Beer and Wine, homemade moonshine and an Austin music scene

Some people might think its hell on Earth
It feels like heaven to me
Just keep it inside the Texas state line for me

Five-foot tall dynamo Jill Csekitz pounds a steady beat on the skins with bassist Jason Radcliff and lead guitarist Scott Gilmore joining Folk, who provides rhythm guitar and vocals. While most of the cuts on this disc fall closer to the rock side of the alt-country spectrum, it's still clear that this is a Texas band with country and other Texan musical influences showing through. One example is the 37 second Tex-Mex acoustic instrumental "Reemplazo de Corazon," which provides a segue between "She Drank Whiskey" and "Replaced." While these are both rollicking numbers, the unorthodox transition works.

For those unfortunate enough to remember the '70s, don't be fooled by the titles "It's Too Late" or "She's Got a Way." These are both Jon Folk originals, not covers of the Carole King and Billy Joel hits of the same names. However "She's Got a Way" does share the same theme as the Billy Joel number.

She's got a thousand different smiles
to light up your day
And the blue in her eyes
can make a sinner lay down and pray

She's the closest thing to perfect
I've ever seen
Like a good Christian
now how I believe

She's got a way
She's got a way

The project was produced with the assistance of Michael Webb, producer for Sheryl Crow. He and Jon had worked together previously when Michael produced the Crowd of One Rubbertramp disc. Also pitching in was Kevin Coleman, who co-wrote "She Drank Whiskey" and "Dead to You" with Folk, the latter about the end of a relationship.

If I don't have conscience
That's your cross to bear
So say goodbye and you can save your prayers
And force a smile and start spreading the news
And tell all your friends that I'm dead to you

Visit www.localfolkband.com where you can purchase Here Goes Everything or get details of South Texas record stores that carry the disc. A list of upcoming gigs in Austin and other South Texas venues can also be located there. Don't miss the link to "Hear the Music." This will take you to the band's page on MP3.com where you can download and listen to selected songs from the disc. I recommend trying "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" first.

Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net

 
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