Dufus - Freak Folk Galore!
New York has always been a place for artist who like to explore and experiment. If you are familiar with the so called anti-folk scene the name Dufus is well known. The band exists since 1996 and the list of artists who have been a part of it for some time is long. Heart and soul of this contemporary New York legends is singer / songwriter Seth Faergolzia.
Buzz: What do you think about anti-folk as a slogan for the scene around the Sidewalk Cafe in New York?
Seth: It’s ok. It has been helpful for us all to have a name for what it is we do. I’m good friends with Jeffrey Lewis, Schwervon, Prewar Yardsale, Regina Spektor, Berth Control, Kimya Dawson, Herman-Dune, Stanley Brinks and Adam Green and we all sound very different. I prefer terms like Freak-Folk or Experimental Folk for what I do.
Buzz: Are you familiar with the freak-folk and psychedelic music from the sixties? Do you like acts like the Incredible String Band, The Byrds or Wimple Winch for example?
Seth: I do like the Incredible String Band. The Byrds and Wimple Winch are pretty cool… I think the idea behind freak-folk in this day is a bit different, but I could be wrong. Honestly, I use those terms because I don’t know what else to describe my music as. I prefer no title like that, but people need it so they know what they’re getting into when booking a show or buying music, I guess.
Buzz: Another experimental artist would be Moondog. Is he an inspiration for your work?
Seth: Yeah, but I didnt really listen to much Moondog until I got asked to do a track for a compilation of his music a couple years ago. I never did the track, but I became a big fan.
Buzz: What else inspires your songs?
Seth: I’m inspired by life. I never write songs under the influence of another artist. I write about what’s happening to me. Sometimes world events influence what I write; for example, most of “Ball of Design” was written in response to the US waging war in the Middle East.
Buzz: How did the N.Y. Folk - scene change over the last years?
Seth: Well, I think a number of us have been taking on a more professional approach, touring and getting out in the world a bit more. So for me, the scene has expanded into many other territories, but I think there still is that small local scene in NYC.
Buzz: Where do you think one should go to see interesting new bands in New York right now?
Seth: There are some really cool spots in Brooklyn including but not limited to Brooklyn Tea Party, Glasslands, Goodbye Blue Monday. Really there are too many to name…
Buzz: You perform a lot with Dufus or solo. What part in your life does music and being a performing artist take?
Seth: I spend most of my free time either booking shows or working on music or touring. The rest of my time is spent taking care of my 3 year old daughter, Anouk.
Buzz: What are your plans for 2010?
Seth: I’ll be doing a good deal of solo touring for Spring and Summer, coming over to Europe and perhaps moving to the West Coast of the US for Summer. As of Autumn 2010, Dufus will be on hiatus, and I’ll be completing my rock opera, “23 Psaegz,” and applying to universities for multi-media studies.
