BENGALURU: Amos Libby and Douglas Porter are two members of the American folk band, The Ghosts of Johnson City, based in Portland. The band brings to life a bygone era from the Appalachia and Deep South in US through their songs, whether it be the ravages of the civil war or age-old tales from the Appalachian Hills. Amos himself has a long connection with Bengaluru and Carnatic music having trained in the mridangam in the city back when he was a teenager. These influences, he claims, has had a profound impact on his American folk style of music. City Express catches up with the two musicians who are in the city for a workshop.
How did you develop an interest in Carnatic music?
Amos: I developed a deep interest in Hindustani classical music at a young age after being introduced to it by a friend from India in the US. My interest in Carnatic classical music developed only after coming to Bengaluru itself and seeing the vibrant classical music scene in the city.
How was your experience in Bengaluru? Did you play or collaborate with any other musicians during your time in Bengaluru?
Amos: My time studying with my Guruji (Vidwan M Vasudev) in Bengaluru has been one of the most important musical experiences of my life. We learned in age-old teacher-pupil, one-on-one and very focused tradition. I played with other musicians but only in the context of classical music, not collaboration really. More like mutual practice and performance.
How long did you stay in India and Bengaluru? Any memories from your stay here?
Amos: I have spent a great amount of time in Bengaluru, making over 20 visits to India. There are too many stories to tell here, but India never ceases to be a place where I always learn something new both about music and myself.
Has Carnatic music influenced your own style of music and teaching (Amos teaches in a few colleges in US)? Have you used these influences in any of your songs and do they figure anywhere in the band’s style?
Amos: Carnatic music has influenced my method of teaching music by allowing me to emulate my Guru Vasudev Rao. His teaching style is very traditional and patient, and I try to act as if he were speaking through me when teaching. Carnatic music has influenced my compositions in that rhythmically my base is very strong because of my training in the tradition.
Your views of the folk music scene of the present day?
Douglas: I think the folk music scene of today in the US is at a crossroads where roots music has become more commercially popular but at the same time it is at risk of losing its authenticity as more and more people commercialise the tradition.
How did the band form? How did you all decide that this was the sound that all of you wanted to pursue?
Amos: I started the band after remembering my late father playing folk music and I decided to take a new route from playing Indian and Middle Eastern music by exploring American folk music. I joined with musicians I respected from my community and we all decided to give it a try!
What is the conceptualization and writing process of your songs and music?
Amos: I read a lot of history and old letters and diary entries from specific historical time periods and events before deciding on a particular theme for songwriting. To properly know the history is to be able to give a voice through music to those who lived it.
What do you aim with the workshop here?
Amos: The aim is to share this tradition (American and Arabian folk music) in a simple way. Students should leave the workshop knowing a few new songs and their history and with a sense of our mission as storytellers through songs.