A Short Film About Frank Fairfield

Exclusive Video Premiere: A Short Film About Frank Fairfield via IFC

The 25-year-old California musician Frank Fairfield has toured in support of Fleet Foxes and Cass McCombs, two bands at or near indie rock's recent crossover metastasis. But Fairfield doesn't approach the twisting folk-pop of Fleet Foxes or the elliptical escapades of Cass McCombs. Rather, Fairfield plays banjo, guitar, fiddle and, quite often, the floor with his feet as he stomps out the rhythm of American songs that sometimes date beyond the century mark. Fairfield is an old-time musician, a passionate and untiring searcher and syndicate of song. He finds his tunes on old 78s or from fellow travelers in the antediluvian world of oral tradition, and he reenergizes them with an enthusiasm and an earnestness that's very much about how these songs fit right now.

Frank Fairfield "Out On The Open West"

Frank Fairfield - Poor Old Lance


"Out on the Open West" is Frank Fairfield’s new album. It was produced by Michael Kieffer (Origin Jazz Library) and features guest accompaniment by Willie Watson (Old Crow Medicine Show), Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, Tom Marion, Justin and Josh Petrojvic and Brandon Armstrong. The album is a departure for Frank, having written most of the tunes himself, and bringing in the other players to round out his songs.

"Out on the Open West" is due out on May 31st via Tompkins Square.

WATCH :: "Frank Fairfield," a short music documentary produced by KEXP’s Greg Vandy.

FRANK FAIRFIELD documentary

by More Dust Than Digital

FRANK FAIRFIELD - Official Trailer
Special thanks to KEXP and Thompkins Square Records.

"Frank Fairfield" is a short music documentary that will be premiering at SXSW in March.  Produced by American Standard Time and More Dust Than Digital.

A 25 year-old, old-time musician from LA, Frank plays to the timeless beat of eccentricity. But this is NOT an act. His unique world-view on the natural state of things includes playing songs "that have existed forever" with complete authority and collecting old 78s from around the world. His encyclopedic mind and crate digging is on display in this short film.

Frank Fairfield - Nine Pound Hammer

by alpinelawyer

Filmed in the pool house where Frank briefly lived in the Spring of 2009.
Shot and directed by Keith Musil.

California-based fiddle, guitar, and banjo player, and ardent 78 collector Frank Fairfield has made his living as a musician, often found playing on the streets of Los Angeles. Handpicked by Fleet Foxes to open their U.S. tour last year, Frank released a 7" on Tompkins Square and recorded his self-titled debut album (2009). His 7" won over tough critics and purists like Grammy winning producer Chris King (Charley Patton, People Take Warning box set), Phil Alexander (Mojo) and Greil Marcus, to name a few. (Tompkins Square Records)


Frank Fairfield - I’ve Always Been a Rambler  (via Passion of the Wise) 

LISTEN :: Frank Fairfield @Daytrotter Session
Sound engineering by Brett Allen and Nick Luca at New Monkey Studio, Jan 22, 2010

 

Cat Playing a Banjo

 

Cat Playing a Banjo - Cabinet Card 

(via photo_history)

Thanks to Earth Is No Resting Place, Dust-to-Digital 

Frank Fairfield - I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground
(via Nick Rallo/Passion of the Wise)   
MySpace>>   Tompkins Square>>