A lot of college kids are doing their final papers on Antifolk all of a sudden. Here's an interview Lach did with one when cornered at an Antihoot this year:
From what Ive read and heard, you started the first Antifolk club nearly
25 years ago in response to your music being considered too punk for
Folk City. Had you considered starting a club before then?
Lach:No, I hadn't
How did you find the New York music scene in the early 80s?
Lach:Turned left at 3rd street
Do you think Antifolk filled a gap in the scene, or paved the way for
experimentation and new styles?
Lach:yes
Was there anything specific about the social and political atmosphere
of the early 80s that inspired you to found the Antifolk movement?
Lach:My inspiration was more from the varied influences on me at the time that said that following one's own muse, questioning authority was a practical way of being. Everyone from Kerouac to Leary to Strummer and Rotten were demonstrating that.
What people and musicians played key roles in the founding of the
movement?
Lach:Eventually I should write a book because I really have to sit down with old journals and friends to truly remember how things went down. But off the top of my head some early pioneers on the Antifolk scene would be The Washington Squares, Billy Nova, Kirk Kelly, Roger Manning, Kirk Kelly, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Billy Syndrome and, geez, scores more!
What was the response to the first Antifolk Festivals?
Lach:Phenomenal, Joyous, a lot of smiling faces,
Did you originally think that Antifolk would have the momentum to
become its own genre, or did you initially have different plans for it, if
any?
Lach:I thought of it as it's own genre right from the start
Theres been a good deal written about how the Antifolk style is
somewhat indefinable, and how it changes depending on what artists
are active in the scene at given times. Would you say that there are any
consistent traits that run through Antifolk artists?
Lach:They know me. Ha [Lach laughs}, but true, ain't it? A general trait is having more respect for what the artist has to say than their 'educated technical' ability to produce it.
How might you summarize Antifolk to someone whos never heard or
heard of it? Please dont feel limited to musical and auditory
vocabulary.
Lach:I wouldn't. The best way to describe the taste of a peach is to hand it to someone and tell them to take a bite.
When was the first time that the Antifolk scene first came to the
attention of the public? Did this change the dynamic within the scene,
and if so, how?
Lach:Outside of the Lower East Side? Probably with the release of Roger Manning's first album on SST. Didn't really change much. Actually, each success like Beck or Regina Spektor hasn't changed much of what the core atmosphere has been over the years. Gentrification, crack, aids and Giuliani probably did more to effect things (in a negative way) than success of any particular artist has.
It seems as though members of the Antifolk scene regularly come into
some commercial success. Do you think that this gives the scene the
impetus to continue inspiring its musicians to come play the Antihoot?
Lach:Yes, though the Antihoot would be packed regardless because the true attraction is that it is a critical, competitive community of very talented, rebellious people and there is a yearning in artists to be part of such a scene. Whether it was the movable feast, the Algonquin roundtable, the beats or, now, us.
Alternatively, when the scene produces a commercially successful
artist, do you feel that theres a sense of pressure to produce more
successful artists in the future?
Lach:No, not at all. If you look at the pattern over the years, we've had a new success about every two or three years. It's like people graduate and go onto the work world of a successful artist. Then the freshmen come in and it starts all over again. We are an invisible school
I should start charging tuition!
What are your career highs and lows?
Lach:
I never think of things in those terms really. Life is just life. And it is very good right now. I make records, tour, run the Sidewalk, run Antifolk.net, manage artists, run the label Fortified, cartoon and watch my little boy grow up.
Lastly, are there any individuals who you think I should contact and
interview regarding the Antifolk scene?
Lach:Well, hundreds. You could post a request at Antifolk.net on the message board.
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