Interview with Scotty Russell- One of the founders for Friends of Folk Festival.
Well, it’s time again for the 2nd Annual Friends of Folk Festival. Yes, this means Dagwood dogs, face painting, short films, great Coffee and a groovy line up of Asa Broomhall, Ball Park Music, Plastic Wood and heaps more…. Even better- Tix are only $12 at the door and it goes straight to charity (like we needed another good reason to go!).
We managed to Kidnap Scotty and quiz him on the Festival.
ROF: So how did the idea of Friends of Folk Festival emerge?
SR: My friend Mark was returning from Canada and wanted to put on a show for his friends to get together and play music. Initially I knew this idea was romantic but would be probably costly and a lot of work. How right I was!!! Once we started though, we thought – let’s do this properly. We ended up hooking up with the troubadour and putting all the proceeds towards our friend Aiden Needham, who is still suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. It was a raging success and important event for many friends who for sometime had been hoping to play together. This I guess in hindsight is what sparked the idea of ‘Friends of Folk’, with the aim of having a good time and showcasing the talents of our closest mates
ROF: What really made you want to put it out there and make it an annual event?
SR: Well it just so happened that Mark was coming back from Canada around same time…. And I said “wanna do it again?”. We had always considered it… but then it just started happening. We had only 6 weeks (including Christmas break) to make it all come together so it has been an absolute whirlwind since we said ‘lets do it’. Our friend Nathan has come on board this year and he really stepped it up in terms of the size of the gig. This year is bigger and better than last year and we want to continue to support charity’s such as a RCH in the future. That said we certainly can’t take all the credit. The people that have come to the party to make this happen have just been amazing. The buzz word with everyone seems to be ‘yes’!
ROF: What music style influenced the line-up?
SR: We want people who are friends of the folk. I am a massive fan of Asa and just wanted his personality and ethos to be a part of this gig. The rest of the bands all have a story and come from the Brisbane area, so local music was a big factor
ROF: How did you make it happen? What was your first step to making it an event?
SR: I think the biggest thing is locking in the Venue. Once you have that, you have a time and place, and a platform to start organising everything. I mean the bands are important no doubt, however, venue for me is the big one. Then it is just a case of how big your dreams are and how much time you have to make them come into fruition. Our plans for next year start immediately post the gig… so we intend to dream big.
ROF: How do you see this event going in the next couple of years? Do you have any big plans, to maybe, I dunno, take over the world?!
SR: We are not sure on the future of next year. We have discussed upsizing to a small festival site. Maybe something like the powerhouse or a showgrounds… the problem is to organise a gig of this year’s size…. It has basically been a full time job for 6 weeks. I have literally been immersed in this day and night. To do something more next year, and take over the world as you say, would require money and time and big decisions. Risk is a big thing and if this is a success then we will definitely consider going the ‘full monty’ so to speak. We will do the festival in some shape or form regardless of what happens.
ROF: So this is an annual event, how can keeny-baked-beany emerging artists get into next years Friends of Folk Festival?
SR: Email us at: admin@friendsoffolkfestival.com – we are looking for more bands and emerging artists and with the festival growing every year we will definitely be looking for people earlier. Especially any baked-beany kids haha. We would love to hear from you so get in touch. First and foremost, come to the gig and see whether it is for you.
ROF: Do you have any favourites in the Line up this year?
SR: Oh no doubt. Asa because he is a guitar god and good bloke all round. Ball Park rock my boat because they are so great live and to jump up and down too. Hmmm Plastic Wood because my good friends Nathan (who I am also in a band with Ruby’s Sunroom) and Sean are playing and this is the first major set together as a duo. I love Mark Adams’ tones – you have to hear him folk it out. Also, Jen Boyce cheers me up with her uplifting melodies. OK so they are all my favourite!!
ROF: So we’ve heard that you’re gonna bust out some tunes this year? Shall we get excited and come waving with massive posters of “We Love you Scotty Russell… LOL”
(note: if I see any followers holding any posters with “lol” on it, you will immediately be fired as a follower).
SR: Haha I expect nothing less. I will be signing anything on the night – no holds barred!!! PS if you come up with a massive I love Scotty Russell poster you will definitely get a song dedication
ROF: Will you become a Religion of Fashion Follower?
SR: YES! It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do in life [x] No way José! [ ]
For More Details, Check out www.friendsoffolkfestival.com
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