Georgia Fireflies on my Mind

I’m not going to attempt any explanation for the silence of the last five months. I could blame work, a lot of travel, and moving SWIK Music to a new home (Blogger vs. WordPress). But life is rough, sometimes life gets in the way of doing the things we love. Sometimes we just get in the way of ourselves. Eventually we walk out of the haze with our priorities renewed. SWIK Music is back. Back with some good old-fashioned nepotism. Why have a blog if not to write about your family and friends? My brother is an amazing drummer and percussionist. He’s toured and recorded with many musicians. Recently he began performing with the Georgia Fireflies. Finally, a band with a critical frontwoman, making them a candidate for SWIK Music. It helps that I really like the music too.






I had the opportunity to see the Georgia Fireflies perform a few songs while visiting my brother in Atlanta a few weeks ago. It’s exciting to see and hear talented musicians playing beautiful and interesting songs. Let’s face it. In a world of one hit wonders dominated by simple hooks and beats, finely crafted songs are a rarity. Not that I don’t love a catchy pop tune, but it’s thrilling to find new music that makes you want to find out more about not only the band, but also the genre.


The Georgia Fireflies call themselves “Americana Country Folk Goodness,” an excellent and appropriate tag line. They follow in the tradition of the Carter Family who recorded from the late 1920’s until the mid-50’s. While the Carter Family became country music superstars, their vocal harmonies and Maybelle Carter’s guitar playing had a major impact on the folk music and rock ‘n roll of the 1960’s. Today, the legacy continues in bands like Wilco. Although considered either alternative country or indie rock, Wilco has a pop sensibility that makes them widely appealing. A favorite of mine crossing into this genre is Neko Case, who makes beautifully haunting country-ish rock music.

 

I’m treading in an area of music of which I am not particularly knowledgeable so I won’t go into details. I do think context and reference are helpful when discovering any new band. Personally, I look forward to spending more time listening to the Carter Family. Clearly, Maybelle Carter needs a SWIK Icon post. It’s not to say the the Georgia Fireflies sound like these bands. They certainly celebrate this heritage of American music, but they have their own unique sound.


Led by Leanna Fugate and Jeff Holt, who alternate on vocals, banjo, mandolin and guitar, The Georgia Fireflies now include Chris Poma on bass and Erik Kaszynski (yes, that would be my brother) on percussion. Since this is SWIK Music, I’ll say a bit more about Fugate who apparently plays just about every instrument under the sun and plays them all really well. She currently has a solo EP with more of a rock flavor that is also excellent. Country singer Lucinda Williams comes to mind, but Fugate has a deeper soulful voice.

The Georgia Fireflies’ music isn’t for the background, but something to pause and listen to. Their latest album Where Do the Birds Go? includes mainly original songs with a fine selection of covers. Some of the songs are catchy, like one of my favorites “Learn To Regret It”. Others have an eerie sound, like “Seafaring Serial Killer,” which I also really enjoy. The standout for me though is “900 Miles,” a traditional folk song about being away from home. Fugate covers the vocals on this one, giving us a different perspective on a song typically sung by a man. With more of us working and traveling, women are often the ones thinking about the 900 miles and hoping to make it home tomorrow night.


As I plan for another work-related trip (to India in January), I’ll be grateful to have music from the Georgia Fireflies on my iPod for the long flight. These days it may be 7,000 miles by plane rather than 900 miles by train. Yet even those of us who love to travel still long for home.  Today, home feels like SWIK Music. It's great to be back.


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Erik Kaszynski, Leanna Fugate, and Jeff Holt