{"id":1969,"date":"2017-11-09T08:00:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theboisebeat.com\/?p=1969"},"modified":"2017-11-10T10:27:58","modified_gmt":"2017-11-10T17:27:58","slug":"patti-jos-country-brook-faulk-emily-tipton-music-a-washboard-and-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theboisebeat.com\/index.php\/2017\/11\/09\/patti-jos-country-brook-faulk-emily-tipton-music-a-washboard-and-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"Patti Jo’s Country: Emily Tipton, Brook Faulk, Music, a Washboard and Coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BrookFaulk,<\/span><\/p>\n

After meeting Brook Faulk<\/b> and hearing her beautiful voice and exquisite original song, I was delighted to learn she plays the washboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I went on an internet search and found that the washboard is considered one of the only truly American instruments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I love Americans. The fact that we took something designed to wash clothes and figured out how to use it to play music is so – us. It is part of what is now called “Mountain Music” from an era when music was a social activity shared by a community. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I asked Brook if she had any recordings of her playing the washboard and she told me about Emily Tipton<\/b>.\u00a0 They perform as a duo called: SWILLBILLY<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"BrookBrook Faulk<\/b> began playing washboard because she wanted to have something to add to the band besides vocals. An antique washboard that had served only as decoration in her home became her percussive instrument. According to Brook, “It is a fun way to add percussion and still dance on stage.”\u00a0 <\/i>Besides being an unique and “rootsy” <\/i>instrument, it engages her audiences.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

She says:\u00a0 “I often get a lot of questions about why I chose it, and how I learned to play.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“The truth is, that I just picked it up one day and started playing it on stage. That’s it. I developed a rhythm at my shows – on the job training. The rhythm I developed playing the metal and wood mountain-music [thing] became a part of the songs in a way it never had before for me, and that rhythm became stuck in my mind.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“Before long, that new feeling inspired me to pick up my old mandolin that I had bought 10 years or so back. I decided to learn how to play once and for all. That was a year and a half ago, and I can finally say that, although I have far from mastered it, I can play solo with the mandolin or add to a duo with my strumming. I finally feel like I can speak the language of the stringed instrument, all thanks to picking up the washboard.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“As of late, playing the mandolin has [compelled] me to pick up the elusive guitar and get back at it. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m having a lot of fun trying, and even writing a few songs along the way.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“The lesson for me has been that it is never too late to learn, grow, and improve your craft. It’s what life is all about!”<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The song Brook sent to me was written by Emily Tipton<\/b>:\u00a0 a pure fun, entertaining package of talent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"EmilyFrom Emily Tipton<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n


\n“<\/i><\/span>Though I have always loved music and was in choir all through school, and played piano and started playing guitar at 15, I didn’t start publicly performing until 2013 in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 29.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“I came to an open mic at Pengilly’s\u00a0Saloon, where you are allowed to play 3 songs, met a few local musicians and then worked up enough material to play a three-hour gig. I really took off quickly and starting playing at clubs and bars here in Boise. I started writing that year as well and was able to perform in the 2nd year at Treefort\u00a0Music Festival\u00a0with 5 original songs.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“I met Brook about 3 years ago through a mutual friend and fellow musician, Meghan Kelly Waters ( She is a magical Cajon\u00a0player!) Meghan, told me I had to meet this new-to-town fabulous singer and amazing\u00a0human being, <\/i>Brook Faulk<\/i><\/b>.\u00a0 I saw Brook the first time at Pengillys\u00a0(You can tell I love that Bar! I even co-host the open mic now) Brook is such a great performer. I reached out to her and we became friends. I started learning her music and she invited me to perform with her at a show.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“We started an all-girl band called ‘Betty’ with a few other ladies in town. We started ‘SWILLBILLY’\u00a0 together to have a more rocking musical band.\u00a0 Our cute name is her brain child, though her husband would joke it’s his!\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“Two years ago we did our first tour, and now have done four [tours] together and more to come! We are also in a group called the ‘Last Honkey Tonk Music Series’ which has been a wonderful group to be a part of to travel and meet more musicians.”<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

I asked Emily about the song we are featuring:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Why ‘coffee stains’, you ask. I worked in coffee for almost 15 years. One night in a journal ranting of why my current relationship was crap, and validating my thoughts on why I\u00a0 should leave, I starting writing my ‘Dear John letter’.\u00a0 I spilt my coffee all over it. I thought, ‘Well isn’t that just perfect! I guess it is more authentic coming with coffee stains!’\u00a0 I jotted that line down and, a few years later, pulled out the journal and had a good giggle. After that the song wrote itself pretty quickly.”<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very fun song because of the style and Emily Tipton<\/b>‘s great vocals with a light rhythm heard throughout supplied by Brook Faulk<\/b> playing brushes on the washboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n