Kurran & The Wolfnotes : Q & A

Thanks to Mumford & Sons for cementing the new-fangled flourish of the alt-folk scene in the UK last year after the great work done by Noah & The Whale et al the year before, the talent just keeps a coming.  Take Kurran & The Wolfnotes as an exciting example of this emerging nu-folk faculty, who despite their relatively new beginnings as a band have sublimely mastered the art of their harmony-laden folk roots and diffused them with a warm helping of pop sounds. 

Debut single ‘Whatabitch’ released towards the end of last decade acted as an introduction to the upbeat, yet heartfelt sounds emanating from the band whose influences include the likes of Dylan, Neil Young and Crosby, Still and Nash.  But the influences don’t remain solely in the past and the contemporary nature of their music has brought them to the forefront of a scene that everyone is watching.

4or The Record put some questions to New York born Kurran, frontman and guitarist, to bring you a little introduction to a band who no doubt will continue to keep the spotlight firmly on a genre that is loved by many. 

Kurran and The Wolfnotes are : Kurran - Vocals and Guitar; Tim – Guitar; Ben – Bass, Chris - Drums and Vocals and Natalia - Vocals/Percussion/Keys.

4TR: Interesting name – why did you call yourselves Kurran & The Wolfnotes…?

Kurran: Yeah we keep getting that. I think the name worked a little better when it was me and Natalia and 2 other girls doing backing vocals and violin. It's obviously changed a bit since then but the name hasn't. A wolfnote is just a note that tends to howl on stringed instrument depending on their set ups or something nerdy like that. But, yeah, it sounded sexier with the girls. Sorry guys.

4TR: In your own opinion, how would you describe your sound?

Kurran: I guess we do fall under that folk/alternative genre. Alternative being pretty vague of course, ha. 

4TR: Was that the sound you always aspired to create when the band formed?

Kurran: The band forming was about a six month process and as each member joined the sound has developed accordingly. We've never really talked about what we want to sound like, maybe we should.

4TR: What influences you as a group musically?

Kurran: We listen to alot of Neil Young, Interpol and we've been killing the Bombay Bicycle Club album. 

4TR: You have been touted as newcomers to the flourishing British new-folk scene – but why do you think alt-folk has had such a successful revival, and who else should people be listening out for?

Kurran: I don't really know but I think it's a good thing for us. Sweet. Bowerbirds new album is sick! 

4TR: Your debut single ‘whatabitch’ was released through Chess Club – how did that relationship come about? And will it be continuing for future recordings?

Kurran: The Chess Club boys were at our third gig and they've helped us out loads since then. Releasing our single is just another awesome thing they're doing for us. We're planning the next single at the moment, so there is definitely at least one more in the pipeline.

4TR: Is the single as its title suggests about heartbreak and being treated badly in a relationship???

Kurran: Well it's actually about an A level teacher I was seeing when I was doing my A levels, ha. It sounds sick like that but she didn't teach at my college so it wasn't that crazy.

4TR: You worked with legendary British producer Stephen Street on the single – was that a career highlight so far for the band?

Kurran: Yeah its kind of the highlight! Towering over the others.

4TR: What did he bring to the recording sessions?

Kurran: His 60's tele which is on some of the Blur abums. That freaked me out.

4TR: Have you been working on any other tracks with him or anyone else?

Kurran: We've done 3 tracks with Stephen so far and that's it really. We do a lot of recording at home as well and we're getting tempted to put a few of those tracks on the album. 

4TR: How does your writing process work?  Is it a collaborative effort within the band (music and lyrics)?

Kurran: I usually come up with the lyrics and a rhythm guitar parts to go with that. But from there everyone writes their own parts. We do have a habit of coming up with parts for each other every once in a while, but whatever sounds best gets used.

4TR: Does it concern you when you get labeled as a buzz band or ‘the next big thing’? Do you think that kind of hype is good for new bands or does it encourage the market to become saturated with a lot of mediocre music?

Kurran: For now its helping us along our way, so I'm into it. But we're being cautious to keep the writing moving along, even though we're a lot busier now, and not to get stalled by recreating what you think people might like.

4TR: What are the future plans for Kurran & the Wolfnotes and what can we look forward to in 2010?

Kurran: Another single, then album and way too much touring. 2009 was kind of our setup year. We're looking forward to sinking our teeth in this year.

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