For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
The Folk Today Project
The sound of The Folk Today debut track 'The Reason For Living' is rather like Passenger's 'Let Her Go'. I'm Neil Pharazyn, the songwriter for The Folk Today Project band. I had ambitions of pitching the song to Passenger, but pitching cold is never easy. So we recorded it ourselves.
Another big sound influence is The Lumineers. Fairpoint Convention feels good too.
Our sound is also defined by our artists. It's 98% acoustic - listen hard and you'll hear an electric guitar riff sneaking in near the end of the track.
We're based in Wellington, New Zealand. Wellingtonian Andrew Laking has arranged the track in a stripped back style and plays acoustic bass and guitar on the track. Andrew is a formally trained musician with substantial international experience in acoustic music. He toured the world for 10 years with folk group Gráda and has two solo albums under his belt.
Lead vocalist on the track is Bill Hickman. He provides the standout voice that makes the track sound so distinctive. Bill has worked with New Zealand artists such as Will Rickets (Phoenix Foundation) and his vocals have featured on records by The Shot Band and Eb & Sparrow.
I write singable tunes. 'The Reason For Living' is a good example. The Folk Today Project is a concept band. We want to put the message back into indie folk music.
Back in the 1960s, folk music topped the music charts with protest messages about war and personal rights. Why aren't indie folk musicians today singing more about current social issues?
The Folk Today Project debut track 'The Reason For Living' is our take on a modern phenomenon. Today almost half of US adults are single. That's an amazing figure, isn't it? It's much the same in the UK. We question what's going on there. With a catchy tune.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
The challenges are the same as in any industry. You've got to put in the work. And you've got get along with people to get a result.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
It's crucial. But having said that, a path to failure is to have a dream and stick dogmatically to it when faced with someone else's suggestions. I imagined how 'The Reason For Living' would sound. I hadn't met Bill then. When I heard his voice it was a surprise.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
I've always been keen on music, and I'm a professional writer - of words and software. Now I've added music to the mix. Nashville is a huge influence. I've attended songwriting workshops run by a hit song writer who's based in Nashville. My songs are critiqued by a noted Nashville producer.
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many know.
A not-funny fact for many musicians is that it's hard to make money.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
Make money. Have fun. Work with interesting people.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and month?
I'm working on songs about global warming and on school bullying. Release is some time off.