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STRANGEFOLK:
Trafton on
Genauer's Exit
Interview:
Art Howard
Photos: Bryan Gay
Two months after our interview
Strangefolk lead singer/rhythm guitarist Reid
Genauer announced he was leaving the band he
helped form with Jon Trafton in Vermont
coffeehouses 10 years ago. Voyager
has the first interview anywhere with Trafton
about his musical partner’s exit. This
interview was conducted by e-mail.
When did you get the news
that Reid was leaving? Did you know as early as
the Music Midtown show?
We got the news on Memorial Day Weekend. That was
after the Music Midtown show.
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John
Trafton is "shocked, yet not
surprised." Hmm.
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Is there any particular
reason that he's leaving that you could share
with the public?
There's no single reason. It's complex and it's
been a tough decision for him. I think the
combination of life on the road being hard, the
bad timing we experienced with our former record
company, and not being sure about wanting this
lifestyle were big reasons.
What was the general
reaction of the band to the news? Surprise?
Shock? Saw it coming? Wish he would stick with
it?
I was shocked but not surprised. This has been
coming for a long time and Reid had talked with
us about his difficulties in the past. The timing
could have been better since we have a new album
coming out in August but I guess there never
would be a good time to walk away.
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Where
to now, Reid?
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You say two
new elements will be added to the band to
increase the magic. Please tell us what
the new elements are?
I did? All I can say is we're keeping an
open mind with regard to adding new
elements to the band. With Reid's
departure the face of the band will
change greatly. Given that, we intend to
make sure that whatever we add will be
excellent in it's own way. We also are
going to take the elements that remain
and make them even better.
Have you thought
about approaching Dickey Betts? I hear
he's looking for a band (heh
heh...cough). Ha!
Yeah, sure.
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