Interviews

Interview w/ Eric Fletcher of Fletch&Folk

By Stoney ⋅ June 3, 2008 ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Since the Millennium the Augusta area has been a mini-magnet for husband and wife bands. Bands like The Livingroom Legends, featuring Ken and Mindy Stephens, Lives of Reily, with Gavin and Brooke Reily, and Joe Graves and the Dirty Left Hand, anchored by the rhythm section of Brian Allen and his wife Tracy Steele. Augusta can now add Eric and Beth Fletcher and their band Fletch&Folk to that list. Actually The Fletchers go back a couple three years and to make things a little more “family oriented” the band recently added Owen Fletcher on lead guitar. Throw in the rhythm section of bassist Paul Bryant and drummer Justin Benson and you have the soulful rock and folk sounds of Fletch&Folk. To find out more we picked the brain of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Eric Fletcher.

LL – So first off, who makes up Fletch & Folk?

EF - Fletch&Folk is currently myself (Erik) and my wife Beth on lead vocals. I’m playing rhythm guitar, Beth is playing, Keys, Organs, Wurlitzer’s, Violins, basically anything we’ll let her play on stage. Paul Bryant is and has been on the bass for quite sometime. He refers to himself as TAZZ, we humor him the best we can with his individualism. One of my many musically talented relatives plays Lead Guitar for us, he goes by the name of Owen Fletcher. On drums is the young Justin Benson who is one of the most naturally talented drummers I’ve ever heard play.

LL – Now based on your MySpace the band was originally created in Millyvegas, Ga. Where in the world is that?

EF - Well if you haven’t been there you just need to check it out. Millyvegas is what my college roommates and I called Milledgeville, GA while we attend GC&SU, back when the college had the ampersand in the extremely long name. We didn’t originate the nickname. Milledgeville is a great town, but it’s a small town, it’s an older town with not many “exciting” attractions like Las Vegas would have to offer. So as a joke or a play on words Las Vegas and Milledgeville joined each other to create Millyvegas, a place where dreams are made.

LL – From what I understand, after a few unsuccessful starts in Millyvegas, the band was actually resurrected as a wedding band here in Augusta?

EF - Where to begin? This band has been pieced together in only a way the Lord could design. I met Beth playing music in a college ministry in Millyvegas. We were naturally attracted to each other through the music and spiritual connection it ties to our hearts. At a gathering we were leading some music in we met Paul on a once and a lifetime opportunity. He said that he played bass and would like to get together and just jam. That seems pretty simple but you have to know how humble Paul is in order to understand what it took for him to approach us and say “I play bass.” (Musicians understand what I’m talking about as far as approaching someone and telling them you play music. You want to talk about it so bad and you’re about to burst inside but you have to play it casual and cool.) Beth and I came to find out that Paul was sick (really talented at his instrument). We started playing together weekly in the college ministry. At that time we were playing with a few other musicians. We never really strived to play outside of the worship we were leading. It was a steady gig. We were playing 2-4 days a week. We did enter a few battle of the bands under the name “On the Side” due to the fact that playing out was a side project. But that was it and I hate to say we did not win the battles. After college Beth and I got married, Paul was still in Millyvegas majoring in art, one of our old drummers Ryan was about to get married and needed a party band. He asked us if we (Beth, Paul, and I) could pull it off. We were up for the challenge so I contacted a drummer I knew and grabbed a great horn player who had been playing with us in the worship band and it began as a one time thing that led to many many more one times. I really couldn’t say anything we did in millegeville was unsuccessful. I would say the band was not a high priority. We were all figuring ourselves and relationships out. It definitely molded us into who we are today. Wouldn’t change it for anything. That group became what was early Fletch&Folk before Owen and Justin.

LL – So at what point did Fletch&Folk decide to become something more than a wedding band?

EF - We were playing weddings and getting tighter as a group, making some money and it was fun to reunite once a month, play and go back to our lives. Beth is about to graduate MCG with a Masters in PA (physician’s assistant). I’m telling you there is nothing the girl can’t do. Her PA class was designing a fund raiser for a medical mission trip to Mexico and decided to throw a keg party @ Surrey Tavern. They charged admission and all the money went to missions. They needed a party like band to play. We’d been wanting to play more and show off some of our originals which rarely made it out at weddings. Beth booked us for the gig. The students wanted to party and sing songs they new. We know a lot of covers. It was a good fit. This is also where we added Owen to the mix. We wanted to have a little more power and a little more soul in the guitar section. A little less smooth, more grit. Owen was our first choice. I knew he could play and I knew we both liked the same music and agreed on tone. We were also using the saxophone player, Daniel and Ryan was still playing drums with us. We had so much fun. Surrey enjoyed it and wanted to book us some more. And so it began.

LL – Now Beth and yourself actually perform quite a bit in a duo or trio version of Fletch&Folk. What prompted you to add that aspect of Fletch&Folk to the wedding band/rock band versions of Fletch&Folk?

EF - Playing acoustic is fun and sounds good and people seem to like it. It’s fun to push yourself and see what you’re capable of when things are stripped down to nothing but a guitar. We like re-working classic songs that often require a bass line or a certain beat; it’s cool to see what those classics turn into; maybe slow them down, saturate them with vocals, put our own spin on them. As I said, we enjoy doing that, but having a full band is moving. Creating dynamics that people not only hear but also feel through the drums or the bass line shaking the room. It’s a lot more sensory and captivating.

LL – So out of all the different ways a person can Fletch&Folk perform, which do you guys enjoy the most?

EF - Full Band.

LL – Now it’s obvious after watching some of videos on the MySpace that Fletch&Folk has just as much a soul side as a folk side. Who are some of the artists that influenced you guys to start playing in the first place?

EF - I grew up listening to Motown, Van Morrison, The Eagles, The Allman Brothers with my dad. I didn’t realize it but those songs have always been a part of me. My brother introduced me to the Black Crowes in middle school. I’ve had an almost scary addiction to them ever since. The music is always changing for me. I get into things, and then into something else. I’ll go through the singer song writer phases with Ryan Adams, and then I’m in with Ben Harper who plays all kinds of music very well and them I’m back to the Crowes and the classics. A lot of us have similar influences but at the same time we all bring something unique to the table. We’re a supportive group for each other, we like to share new music and enjoy it together.

LL – It’s also apparent on the MySpace that the band also has some pretty cool originals. Any chance of the band putting out an actual release in the future?

EF - Yes. We’re currently working on a demo out of a home recording studio. As far as getting into a real studio it takes money that we’re working on raising. We have enough material for a full length album. We’re finding that a lot of the songs are still becoming what they are meant to be. We’re not in a hurry but it’s definitely something we all would like to have on our resumes.

LL - Also noticed on the calendar that you have a pair of shows coming up at Le Chat Noir called The Gathering. What exactly is The Gathering?

EF - The Gathering is a downtown community event. It’s sponsored by a local emerging church. It’s more of an attempt to be a part of the downtown community as opposed to another church trying to “bring the gospel” downtown and shove it in the faces of people who “the church” sees fit. “The Church” has pretty much slammed the door on anyone’s face that disagrees with a certain denomination’s beliefs. I’m not say that actual truth doesn’t exist, I’m just saying the way we go about sharing it and relating it isn’t always with love, like the way Christ would have wanted it. The Gathering is an open forum discussion about how some people like Jesus, but not the church. It’s an organic casual meeting for any type of person who has questions, curiosity, or for someone who just wants to come get something off of their chest whether it be a personal struggle or beef with the Church. This is a place of acceptance. Nothing anyone says or does will cause Christ to not love them. Free will has to be tough for Jesus. The fact that His creation has an option of choosing him has to take a superior being to swallow such a concept. I’m a believer in Christ, it’s evident in some of the songs I write. It’s a passion of mine and the people sponsoring The Gathering that Christ is presented in a way that is real, presented with love not judgment. At the gatherings Beth and I play a few songs that have strong personal meaning to us. These aren’t cheesy worship songs, more heart felt beliefs that show the struggle of attempting to live as Christ like as possible. It’s a cool event that I’m proud to be a part of. I hope it takes seed and becomes something that is formless that all people feel welcome at. http://www.augustagathering.com

LL - Recently you guys added yet another Fletcher to the band. What’s in like sharing music with not only your wife but also Owen?

EF - It’s good. He’s such a good player. We listen to a lot of the same music, we have many of the same influences. He knows what I want in a lead guitar player. I don’t have to tell him, “Hey do this here and that there,” he knows and understands the band’s sound. This whole band has 5 different people bringing what they have to the table every song. We don’t sit down and overly discuss each others parts. Owen has an ear for harmony lines and can follow and play with just about any band in Augusta. He is definitely an asset and I enjoy what he offers the band musically. He’s also family, so there’s a connection there that many musicians don’t get. Look at the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, the White Stripes, Oasis, Kings of Leon, AC/DC, Van Halen, Jackson 5, Sly and the Family Stone, The Ramones, CCR, Johnny Cash…. there’s been a lot of good music with family members making it. I think we’re on the right track.

LL – Fletch&Folk seems to be a tight-knit group. What do you guys do when you’re not doing the band thing?

EF - We spend a lot time together. Sometimes go see someone else’s show. Be supportive of other bands and downtown Augusta. Paul’s an adventurous young man, he often leads us down broken paths where we find fun hanging from a tree waving a white flag at us. You know, typical chillin’. If not, we’re probably on mine and Beth’s back deck listening to music.

LL – Since the Fletch&Folk saga started a few years back, what would you guys say is the single most significant moment in the band’s history?

EF – The fact that we all still love each other and love playing music together. We haven’t had a single person leave the band over something petty or because someone did something screwed up to someone else in the band. We’re not trying to make a great “behind the music” video so that VH1 can cash in and make some money off of us. I like being an Indie Band at the moment. We just want to make good music and enjoy the ride of community.

LL – What are the band’s plans for the future?

EF - Keep making music, try to get an album out for us if for anyone else. We’d like to be considered or looked at as a good band that writes good songs. A band people want to come see. I don’t expect us to hit it big and get jerked on tour all over the U.S. If that happens, we’ll be open to it. I’d like to be genre-less, where we can play with bands that don’t necessarily sound like us. Let the music bring different groups of people together for a common love of music. This may never ever happen, I’m just not into band competition. I like the fact that the bands in this town all do different things. It makes for the basis of what can be a healthy music scene for the city of Augusta.

LL – Awesome guys! Thanks a lot!

EF - Our Pleasure

Fletch&Folk perform this week at Le Chat Noir, 6PM June 5th, and at the Red Lion Pub, 8PM June 7th.
For more dates and band info visit http://www.myspace.com/fletchnfolk

Related Articles

• New Videos Added to Playlist