Fold are an exciting quartet habitating in Leeds, their hip-hop/funk vibes make each and every track experimental, original, and a brilliant listen. This, along with their use of spoken word samples which bring to light relevant subjects in the modern world, give Fold’s material a deeper meaning than that of just some chords and guitar riffs. What also sets Fold apart from many other artists is that they use no pre-sequenced material when on stage, meaning all performances are done completely live, giving each one a personal, unique feeling. I talked to the founder (or as he prefers ‘benevolent dictator') of this four-piece, Seth Mowshowitz, who kindly agreed to answer some questions.
1. Who are Fold?
Kane Rattray - Drums
Ben Walsh - Bass
Seth Mowshowitz - Keyboards (Samples/Synths/Rhodes) & Guitar
Josh Gardziel - Guitar & Projections
2. What inspired you to start making music?
I've loved music deeply ever since I was little. I guess I identified from early on with sounds coming from people like Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon - their modes of expression said something that resonated strongly with me. Like most people in the arts I am compelled to find a way to reflect the world around me and nothing else comes close to music as a language that I feel able to communicate with.
3. What genre would you describe your music as?
Experimental funk & hip hop laced with jazz and psychedlic rock. It is difficult to pinpoint (without sounding horribly pretentious).
4. What's next for Fold?
Our debut LP - a long time in the making - is due out end of Oct / early Nov. The exact release date is still TBC but it will consist of 10 tracks and lots of horns. We're busy organising a bit of a UK tour around the release with an album launch in Leeds.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
We seem to be heading in the direction of bigger arrangements & stage ensembles with more live instruments & orchestral sounds. We hope to start bringing in a range of live vocalists as well. Ideally every single sound would be generated by a live performer.
6. Who are your main influences in music?
Funk: Sly & The Family Stone, The Meters, James Brown, War, Jimi Hendrix, Shugie Otis. Soul: Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett. Hip hop: Public Enemy, The Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest. Other: The Beatles, Dead Kennedys, The Minutemen, DJ Shadow, Massive Attack, Portishead.
7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get in to the music industry?
This is not so much advice as a plea to all artists. Please be uncompromising in your vision. Spend as much time as you can making your music bigger and better – be musically ambitious. The point is not to 'make it' but to make it good. There are too many people trying to do the former at the expense of the latter and they are doomed either to fail or worse to make mediocre music. As for advice that might actually be helpful, I only know enough about the UK music scene to offer any insight. My experience has taught me that radio is an extremely approachable and helpful channel in this country at every level: regional, national and online. You can, as an artist, research and approach radio stations and they will listen. If your music is interesting it will get played. Tom Robinson and the BBC Introducing program is a perfect place to start. Tom's a great champion of unsigned & independent music.
Find more from Fold
Website: www.fold.fm
Facebook: facebook.com/foldfm
Twitter: twitter.com/foldfm
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/fold
Songkick: songkick.com/fold