Rising out of Nashville’s thriving independent music scene, THE FAREWELL DRIFTERS are an alt-folk band known for their 60’s era-inspired harmonies and adventurous musical energy. They have crafted a seamless blend of intellectual psychedelic pop with melodic songs that openly explore the brightest and darkest corners of life with raw intensity. The Farewell Drifters’ latest album,Echo Boom, has been met with critical praise and finds them growing from young men into thinking men and establishing their considerable place in this world.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
Raffi. Oh yea, loved Raffi. My parents took me. The first concert I went to completely on my own volition? Aerosmith when I was 13. Yep.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
So hard to pick just one – there have been so many great gigs over the past few years. One that comes to mind as we just finished a tour of Colorado is Rockygrass, an amazing festival we played a couple years ago near Boulder. We had an awesome set, but really what made it one of the best was the setting. It’s in the mountains of Colorado, and it’s a small festival – only like 3,000 people or so I think. So it’s just one big field, with one main stage, and running behind the main stage and then out along the field is a little river with crystal clear water and cool rocks, so people hang out in the river in chairs and stuff while watching the set. And right on the other side of the river is a huge rocky mountain cliff. The place is pretty much like what I’d imagine the Garden of Eden to be like if they’d had more than two people and a music festival there.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
I recently saw a Death Cab for Cutie show at the Knoxville Theater (gorgeous small venue), and they had an 8 piece orchestra with them for the whole show. So they had worked out a bunch of beautiful arrangements of all their songs together. A truly amazing musical experience.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
There are a few on the bucket list that we are aiming for, but being a Nashville band, the Ryman is up at the top of that list. The history of shows in the room alone is astounding, not to mention the great vibe with all the stained glass and church pews.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
To make this way more fun, I’m going to assume time travel is an option. So, I’m going with the Beach Boys (1967), Muleskinner (1973), Joe Marc’s Brother (1999), and us (2012). We’d open the show, of course.
Catch The Farewell Drifters August 24th @ Eddie’s Attic
