The Internet indie-rock mecca Pitchfork (www.pitchforkmedia.com) called his music death-folk, but this Columbus-based songwriter is just out to dispel the perception that folk is about white people sipping tea.
Jerry DeCicca is the mastermind behind the nebulous band known as the Black Swans. On the debut album, Who Will Walk in the Darkness with You? DeCicca is accompanied by four other musicians, but when it comes to live performances, anyone could be a member of the Black Swans.
All the shows that I do when I tour are basically with whatever musicians I can gather together
DeCicca said. I'm the only one that has to show up. With the acclaim that has come with the release of the album, DeCicca was still surprised by Pitchfork's track review -especially since he did not send a promo to the Web site.
I was playing some shows on the West Coast at the time and it just kind of popped up DeCicca said. It was kind of weird that it was a track review. The record is more of a record as a whole piece than it is individual songs. DeCicca said he was pleased and amused with the review's take on his expression of folk music. He associates his record with being musically lush, but still holds on to a traditional minimalist folk sound.
It is folk music in its delivery
DeCicca said. There's not much comic relief
and there's not a lot of glossing over the uglier parts
like the squeaks of the instruments and the knots in my voice. His opinion of music is that people seem to expect a sense of resolution with the content. DeCicca said he has always been more attracted to the music that resides in grayness -as reflected in his songwriting.
One of the things I like about my favorite songwriters and favorite poets are they are interested in giving you the synopsis of what that emotion is like
DeCicca said. There are definitely not a lot of upbeat happy smiles on the Black Swans record
but I don't think it is razor blades to your wrist type music either. Who Will Walk in the Darkness with You? could be described as a melancholy record but also be considered intimately meditative. Since its release, DeCicca has noticed a concern among the people who have heard the record and crossed paths with him.
I think that people just assume that when somebody creates something (depressing)
it's autobiographical
he said. When really it's more of an extension of who they are ... but it's not a diary by any means. Saturday the Black Swans will consist of DeCicca and violinist Noel Sayre. The show starts at 9 p.m. and will also feature Southeast Engine. Admission is $3.
-Blake Gillespie
