Folk Bitch Trio balance rage and introspection

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Melbourne indie outfit Folk Bitch Trio first met in seventh grade, and they’ve been both friends and collaborators ever since. It was then, at age 12, that they adopted their cheeky moniker and kicked off their teenage years, which were spent “jamming in the shed,” a time and place they look back on fondly, and one that has also stood as the portal through which they’ve emerged today.

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And today looks pretty promising for FBT. Just this year, the group took a major step forward, signing to Jagjaguwar and releasing their debut album, Now Would Be A Good Time. The album’s spine-chillingly solid foundation is in the harmonies. Hypnotic, shimmering, the dark, tongue-in-cheek chants emulate the echoes of Dusty Springfield, Aimee Mann, and Aldous Harding if the trio were to wander through a hall of mirrors. And the backdrop is beautiful as well, in its steadiness — the textural pat of a slow, muted drum beat, a strikingly bare guitar reverb. Next month, FBT will take their tour to the U.S., hitting beloved spots like Baby’s All Right and Pappy and Harriet’s.

Folk Bitch Trio balance rage and introspection

Caitlan Hickey

When was the first time you connected over music? What was the music you all loved growing up?

We all connected over folk and indie-rock music from an early age and grew up listening to artists like Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Nick Drake, the Beatles, the War on Drugs, the Sundays. The list goes on.

What was the moment that solidified your bond?

There’s never been a real “moment.” We have been close for so long that our bond is continuously growing stronger as the years go on.

What made you want to pursue music as a career?

None of us were ever set on the idea of pursuing music as a “career.” We were more interested in the act of playing and writing music and doing it together. The career side of it came after we had been gigging for a while, and it slowly switched from fun hobby to wanting to do it all the time.

How did you pick your name, Folk Bitch Trio?

Jeanie texted Heide and Gracie asking if they wanted to be in a “folk bitch trio.” That was that.

Caitlan Hickey

Where was your first live show?

Our first live show was at the Merri Creek Tavern in Melbourne (Naarm). We were freshly 18 and played about three songs, one of which was a cover — “How to Make Gravy” by Paul Kelly. The crowd was mostly our friends and family, who were beyond supportive. We were stoked! It was a time of pure bliss after just graduating high school and playing music together for fun with no expectations.

How do you maintain the fun and no-expectations attitude as you grow as artists, with more eyes on you?

As David Byrne says, it’s the “same as it ever was.” We’re the same as we were five years ago in that we always know how to create fun together. We work hard at our craft and the “work” elements of being a musician, but it’s easy when it’s the three of us all the time. Even when things are difficult or not technically “fun,” we like to find the light in most situations.

Caitlan Hickey

How did you connect with your label? Why Jagjaguwar?

We met with the A&R of Jagjaguwar in LA on our last day of a six-week tour across Europe/U.K./USA. We had a lunch in Silverlake and hit it off. Jagjaguwar being an independent label with artists that we really admire was a big drawcard. The team at Jag really care about and love music, so it was a no-brainer for us.

What’s your favorite song you’ve written/released? Which song of yours would you want a new listener to hear first?

They change all the time, but today it is “Sarah.”

How would you describe your sound to someone who hadn’t heard it?

Three-part harmony alt-folk-rock guitar music.

Caitlan Hickey

In making the new record, what would you say was the biggest risk you took?

Recording to tape was slightly risky, as it can be a bit of a tedious process, and it’s a finite, expensive resource. But it’s what made the record what it is. You’re limited to a small number of takes when working with tape, so it made the process more considered and in the moment for us all. Most of the songs on the record are the first or second take and were recorded all together live in the room.

What do you think is the strongest emotion that shows up in your music?

Rage, exhaustion, and introspection.

Are there any particular stories or experiences you draw from to express this feeling?

There’s a lot to be angry about in the world right now, so that’s not hard to tap into. With our songwriting, we find we’re able to dip in and out of different emotions while writing and draw from both solo and shared experiences from home and life on tour.