Season of the Folk Bitch
They describe their sound like a recipe; “a little bit folk, a tiny bit alt-indie-rock, confessional, three part harmony” suitable for a batch of indie-band perfection. They're a band based in Naarm/Melbourne. Through growing from backyard friendship formations; surpassing school-bound band rooms and evening practices, to sharing stages and their sound to international audiences: they’re your new definition of the holy trinity. They’re Folk Bitch Trio.
The band comprises the voices of Jeanie Pilkington (she/her), Gracie Sinclair (she/her), and Heide Peverelle (they/them). Along with their addictive sound, their image is something so unique but in agreement that it almost feels written, with their distinguishable hair colours of blonde, black and auburn and frequent capturing on photo-booths of film strips (as their socials depict). The image and sound of these individuals is as in harmony as their music relays.
‘God’s A Different Sword’, the band’s latest musical release is a single they say alludes to letting go of routine and familiarity, but embracing the habit ‘just one more time’. With the release of the song, the band also takes their tracks to tour, selling out and performing shows internationally across Europe and the United States, returning homebound from the US leg, to Australia in early November. Their past releases strongly hold their charm too, with singles like ‘I Heard’ and ‘Analogue’, demonstrating the core of their talent and foundation of Folk Bitch Trio’s indie sound. Underneath the layers between each breath of music they seem to sing in an understanding of each other, exchanging verses that speak in a tongue that only they can decode.
Along with a clan of local fans and supporters, FBT has gained recognition from idols and inspirations alike: Supporting for Alex G at The Forum in December ‘23. Indie icon Phoebe Bridgers herself even claiming the band as “Boygenius if it was from the 40’s” after being exposed to their music on Triple J unearthed. FBT further named inspirations to their sound with “Wilco, Gillian Welch, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams and Aldous Harding. The list goes on…”. Even sharing the stage with one Australian indie-pop and alternative-country inspiration- Julia Jacklin.
Further on their process, Sinclair noted that their connection to songwriting could be likened to “…that Joni Mitchell quote about how being a songwriter is like being a bee collecting pollen, it feels like going on tour and being away from your home is inspiring, but once you get back and sit down that’s where creativity manifests.” The quote in reference emanating from Joni Mitchell’s documentary ‘Woman of Heart and Mind’:
“I think of songwriting as a kind of collecting. It's like being a bee. I go around and I collect pollen and I take it back to the hive and make honey."
- Joni Mitchell
Their name of Folk Bitch Trio, embodies a subtle dissonance in words that represent their ability to convey deep rooted, weighted feelings through truly graceful melodies that are effortlessly addictive to listeners.
The bands’ music takes video form in their singles ‘Analogue’ and recently, ‘God’s A Different Sword’. Each one adapts the lyrics to screen with montages of the members gambolling and springing-to visualise it, in unison. Whether that be in chainmail dressed as nights or scoring a classic double denim around local Naarm suburbia. Imagery of true camaraderie is evoked through their videos- notions of them being in complete accord in any reality, whether that be this or a world where they’re knights in chainmail (as seen in their ‘Analogue’ music video).
As a fan, I’m urged to simply shower them with word-vomit admiration and awe in how closely accurate their music seems to manifest the idea that "music speaks to the heart", however, I ultimately felt compelled to spotlight this band to convey the reality that your next favourite artist might be closer than you think. If you haven't started listening yet, this is your sign to let Folk Bitch Trio soundtrack your next suburb-stridden ponder, late night woolgather or any mid-spring habit, for it must be the season of the folk bitch.