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Coop Lends Brothers An Earthy Sound

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By CURTIS ROSS

cross@tampatrib.com

Published: February 5, 2009

Updated:

Normally, only two things come out of chicken coops. One's eggs and the other one stinks to high heaven.

The exception would be the converted coop that houses The Felice Brothers' recording facilities.

"We recorded the new album "Yonder Is the Clock," out April 7 there," James Felice says by telephone from just outside that very coop in Rosendale, in New York's Hudson River Valley.

It's not the first time the band has recorded there, although the conditions have improved.

"It was a lot dirtier when we recorded the other one," Felice says, referring to their self-released 2006 debut album, "Through These Reins and Gone."

"We've cleaned it up a lot. We put in a wood stove, because it gets cold up here," Felice says. "Before, we didn't even have a roof. We had to put a tarp up when it rained."

That raw and rural setting is reflected in the band's sound. James and brothers Ian and Simone grew up absorbing country, bluegrass, folk and blues, eventually picking up instruments themselves - James on accordion, Simone on drums, and Ian on guitar and vocals.

Their early performances happened on the front porch. Adding a friend named Christmas on bass, the band rolled into New York City to play on street corners and subway platforms, weather and the law permitting.

They came to the attention of the English label Loose, which released their debut and 2007's "Tonight at the Arizona." They signed on for a tour opening for Conor Oberst, who in turn signed them to his Team Love label. Team Love released "The Felice Brothers" last year.

The band still hits the streets to spread its music, though.

"A lot of that was we would go into a new town and play on the streets until we got a show," James says. "It's still a big part of us. It keeps us honest. Besides, it's a good way to practice. It's better than practicing alone in your room."

Lyrically, the band spins tales that are funny and frightening, earthy and ethereal. And violent. "The Felice Brothers" has a kill count to rival any gangster rap work.

"A lot of that stuff is from old stories we heard growing up around here," James says. "We just kind of put our own spin on them."

James laughs and says that on the upcoming album, "not so many specific people die."

The band's influences go well beyond the folk and bluegrass that is most prominent in its music.

"We grew up listening to all kinds of music, and we all bring something different to the table," James says. New member Greg Farley "likes a lot of rap and hip hop. I really like classical stuff."

The brothers' influences stretch beyond music into literature, not surprising given that Simone is an acclaimed novelist and poet. The title of the upcoming album is taken from Mark Twain.

"We draw from every influence, American writers and America literature like Hemingway, all kinds of great stuff," James says. "It's not always just the music we love. Storytelling is really important."

ON TOUR

The Felice Brothers

OPENING FOR: Old Crow Medicine Show

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa; (813) 274-8286

COST: $26.50

Reporter Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568.

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