I am not entirely sure of the story of how Will, Bessie, Amato and I first met. Its one of those relationships, I suppose, that time ignores and it just feels like family. I do know that is has not been nearly as long as it has felt and for the short duration that I have known them I have built a life long friendship and love for the trio that comprises Haunt the House. There is a mutual respect for one another’s craft between us but also something much deeper. Their successes truly make me happy and seeing them this summer at Fort Adams will truly be one of the highlights in my musical being. Today, we rehabilitate the 9 Questions to Newport feature and it is an absolutely pleasure to say that I caught up with Will Houlihan to talk about music, life, friends, and the Newport Folk Festival…
(photo by Jason Rossi)
1) For the fine folks who may not be as familiar with your work, how would you sum up your sound in a short phrase (10-15 words)?
WH: That’s a difficult one to pin down, experimental, backwoods gospel/folk with many personalities. Accessible. I don’t know, whatever it is now, I hope it’s something different tomorrow.
2) What projects are you currently working on or have you recently released?
WH: We are in the midst of recording a small EP and I’ve been writing for a much more ambitious project.
Our past releases include Rural Introspection Study Group (solo ep) and Jack Rabbit Jones
3) Newport Folk is celebrated for its collaborations, community and bringing folks together for a weekend where they may not see each other otherwise. How do you feel about that preservation of unity and family sentiment in the folk music community? How does it play into your own music and where you come from? Is there a “group” or community that you feel especially attached to?
WH: I think it’s a wonderful element to be part of. It wouldn’t really resonate “folk” to me, whatever that may mean definitively or loosely, if that piece is missing, it might be something else entirely.
Most of my life I’ve felt like the extra part leftover from the weekend project, you know the one bolt that was once fitted into the design but it’s absence doesn’t seem to affect the machine much…
I fit in with the weird. My family, I love them dearly, but they’re delightfully weird. So am I. At least that’s how I’ve always felt. Musicians are weird. I feel attached to that community. But I also feel attached to others. The good thing about being that leftover bolt is that it’s usually a universal fit, so I can adapt to most communities in that way, except hardcore sports fans. I haven’t figured them out yet. I don’t think I’d want to. It’s a completely alien world to me.
4) Favorite OR least favorite/most embarrassing moment on stage from your music career? Amazing experience playing to a solid out crowd or tripping off stage and falling into the crowd…either works!
WH: Hmm. Hands down playing the barber shop stage at the Columbus Theatre. Small room, packed with friends, lots of love and support, met new friends, and an incredible woman dancing slow in the window silhouetted by the street lights. We played well, it was hot and crowded, yet wonderful.
We recently played a small folk festival at Gallery 263 in Cambridge and I broke out of my normally shy and withdrawn shell and actually bantered for a bit, that was unusual for me and a bit out of character but really fun. That was a good show. I love any show where I can hear Bessie’s vocals clearly, ( I’m deaf in my left ear, and that makes filtering sound on stage a challenge.) And any show when everything feels “on”. That’s been happening more often than not lately and I’m really enjoying it.
5) If you could collaborate with anyone (dead or alive) musically, who would it be?
WH: Lhasa de Sala, Ralph Stanley, Tom Waits, among many others I hold in high regard. I don’t know what I could do if anything to add to the genius that they already bring… Maybe we could just collaborate on lunch, just to get them talking and take the opportunity to sit back, listen, learn and share a good meal.
6) 1 record that shaped you when you first started playing and 1 ‘lesser known’ record or artist that you are now/are listening to now that you think folks really need to hear about?
WH: Nick Drake, Pink Moon andIron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days.
I put both my boys to sleep to these albums nightly, rocking them in my arms through very difficult times. They served me more than just a soothing soundtrack to rock babies to sleep with. I dissected every part of each of those albums, especially Our Endless Numbered Days. I began to realize how attainable writing could be for me. I heard repetitions that Mr. Beam was playing that seemed complicated but could be simply broken down and I could make sense of the structures. It’s still one of my all time favorites.
Also, Nick Drakes poetic genius, spurred me to write better lyrics.
Oh the lesser known Artist would definitely be Brian Carroll, James Maple and the Meadows Brothers.
7) So, why is creating music important to you? Why do you hit the stage night after night, pull out the old song notebook every day, or whatever else you do to let loose your creativity?
WH: After a long time without it ( another interview I guess), I realized that it’s always been a part of me. I honestly can’t live without it. It’s my therapy, my release, my relief and my comfort. It’s second to breathing, it’s that integral.
8) Aside from music, do you have any other pastimes? What would you want people to know about you aside from your musical endeavors?
WH: I’m a visual artist as well but have let a lot of the discipline fall by the wayside in recent years. I love curiosity items, strange art and simple living. I’m a boring person, that may not be a pastime, but it’s something I desire greatly.
9) Anything else you want to plug or we should know?
WH: I want everyone to know about my wonderful friends. Without their constant support and encouragement, I’d be nothing.
Listen to, Allysen Callery, James Maple, Ian Fitzgerald, Bob Kendall, The Meadows Brothers, Will Kindler, Shea Vaccaro, Dan Blakeslee, and the boys in Smith&Weeden.
There are so many others that work tirelessly at their craft that deserve so much more recognition than I.
Support William Schaff and buy his art, he’s become a very important figure in my life and a damn good friend.
Go out of your way to support local artisans, musicians and people that are making a move to bring about change in arts and culture in your community.
Be kind, and act out of compassion. Show love to those that you may perceive as unlovable and be patient.