GOLDFEATHER is a Brooklyn-based folk music band-meets contemporary classical ensemble, with a dash of cabaret for flavor. Led by native Minnesotan singer and violinist Sarah Goldfeather, Goldfeather’s music has been described as “full of light and life” (The Current), “poignant…striking and laudable” (The Deli Magazine), and “[the] most musically talented ensemble ever” (Pen’s Eye View), its “lush, dynamic collective of sound” and “striking intensity” (Elmore Magazine) explores unusual melodies garnished with three-part harmonies against a rich indie-folk-pop backdrop. Sarah and her fearless conservatory-trained five-piece band – Dylan McKinstry (mandolin/voice), Katie Martucci (guitar/voice), Nathan Koci (accordion/banjo/voice) and Pat Swoboda (double bass) – have collective musical backgrounds in almost every genre imaginable, including classical, contemporary classical, folk, bluegrass, avante-garde jazz, rock, musical theater, electronic music, and more, all of which factor into Goldfeather’s unique sound.
In this interview, we chat with Goldfeather about the new release, influences, and more.
Full Q&A as well as links and the video for Spilled Milk below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Random fate! When I moved to Brooklyn in 2010, I answered a Craigslist ad to join a bluegrass band, which I played in for about two years. That inspired me to start writing my own music, and because bluegrass/folk music was a style I understood, I decided to write songs with an acoustic instrumentation in mind. Looking back, though, it does feel almost arbitrary, but I think we came up with some interesting arrangement solutions.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
Goldfeather had its first show in 2012 at Judson Memorial Church, but it started pretty casually. We recorded our first EP and released it in early 2014 and since recording our upcoming record last year we have been much more active.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
So many artists! Weirdly most of my favorite music is not folk music, or at least not strictly speaking. Most of the music I am inspired by has something really unusual or strange in it, like peculiar chord structures, song structures, and I’m always a sucker for an unexpected key change. Basically anything that sets up expectations and then topples it over with a new section or part you did not see coming. Along those lines, I’ve gotten some new musical ideas from Mitski lately, Kendrick Lamar, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, and always Of Montreal, to name a few. I suppose what motivates me to keep going is that writing music is my diary, and it’s my favorite thing to do. I can’t explain exactly why but if I stopped I don’t know what else I would do. Also the music business is hard and only a masochist would try to do it without any motivation or reason!
Talk about your most recent release, “Spilled Milk”.
This was so much fun to make! I randomly stumbled upon the Mary A. Whalen in Red Hook a few months ago, and ended up asking if I could film the video onboard. To my delight they said yes, and as a result I ended up spending quite a lot of time on the boat and meeting some wonderful nautical folks who worked there. The video was shot by Florent Ghys – he did a music video for my friends in Gutbucket (which includes Goldfeather’s bass player, Pat Swoboda), and I was a big fan of his style (there’s even a subtle homage to Pat in the Gutbucket video, which I love). Overall, I’m pretty happy about it!
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
I wanted an updated video as a graspable thing to share – I find I am much more likely to listen to music if there is a visual component.
What was the last song you listened to?
Mixtape by Chance the Rapper
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I don’t have a record player or a CD player, so by elimination, MP3s are the winner (or .wavs if they are available!)
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Bandcamp is the best for the artist because they actually make money from uploading their music there. I use Spotify but I feel a tremendous guilt about it because it is a corporation that completely rips off the smaller and mid-sized artists. But it is also nice to have almost any record at my fingertips, and I’ve discovered some great bands and have as a result gone to their shows and tried to support in other ways…but still it’s a pretty bad deal. I don’t know, I’m conflicted for sure!
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
Kind of what I was saying above – boy is it hard to make any money doing music! I certainly have lost plenty of money on this band. As far as attracting listeners, all of my friends are musicians so we do tend to support each other and go to each others concerts. But maybe that’s a little insular, I guess it is hard to reach a broader audience beyond your friends without some kind of press or avid word of mouth.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
Yes, yes, and yes. No on the live-stream, but perhaps in the future. We have some NYC concerts coming up in the next month and a TBA fall tour. I hate saying this sentence, but if you like us on Facebook then you can be updated with news of shows and our album release etc etc!
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
The Facebook thing I just mentioned, also @sgoldfeather on twitter and @auplume on Instagram. My website also has some recordings and videos and things of that sort. I am also on Bandcamp, iTunes….and Spotify (haha).
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Shout out to the Mary A. Whalen and her crew – thank you again for letting us film onboard!!
