The Green Door: ‘Wolf In The Fold’ Captures American Scene

By SHARON JENNINGS

The Green Door just released a great new album, Wolf In The Fold, and it’s an upbeat retelling of the American scene. These San Francisco-ites have got it together and the music takes us back to a more innocent and fun time. The band talks to Groundsounds.com about life and living the musical dream.

Tell us about your latest work and how you came to create it?

‘Wolf In The Fold’ is a collection of songs that are our interpretation of American myth. The themes of these songs, and our band in general, are about real and mythical characters from the old west, through a modern, counter culture lens. The 1800s American West, epitomize for us a landscape where battles for self-determination and for freedom over oppression took place. The music of old western songs and especially Spaghetti Western music reflect this sense of independence and rebelliousness in a natural setting that is un-tamable in it’s own right. To that point, the 1960s with the civil rights and hippie movements also expressed a formidable narrative and musical theme that embodied a society fighting for liberation from injustice. This inspired the rebellious psychedelic sounds of the time. Our music takes influence from these two legendary soundscapes and weaves them together with a modern, unruly garage twist.

Does it have special meaning to you?

Yes, we believe our music resonates with our experience living in a tumultuous political atmosphere in which many are fighting against oppression and injustice.

What is the secret to a good collaboration?

A great foundation for good collaboration is the fact that we are all friends and actually like each other! All the members of The Green Door are also invested in the sound and style of what the band is about. When that happens, really great things can come of it, and we can challenge each other to take the music further than it would go when creating it on our own.

How did you meet your producers?

This album was self produced. Predominantly by myself and drummer Vanessa Wolter, but the whole band gives vital contributions to our sound. We recorded it in our own studio, CarnyMusic Recording, here in San Francisco, where I record and produce other artists and musicians as well.

What is your favorite kind of music?

We love Ennio Morricone spaghetti western sound tracks, as well as surf, psychedelic and garage rock.

What is so attractive about that genre?

There is something about the music in all of these genres that is unruly while also melodic. They set a scene and transport you to another time, another place, and tell a story about that world.

Where can we follow you and where can our readers catch you live next?

We can followed on our social media sites and website:

www.thegreendoorband.com

www.facebook.com/thegreendoorband

www.instagram.com/thegreendoorband/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbuaKR3jrhejqbzmICj4AEg

We are currently working out our 2018 concert schedule, and are planning a west coast tour this summer.

Who are the musicians you most admire and why?

We are huge fans of The Black Lips, Dead Ghosts, Dead Meadow, and Spindrift, to name a few. Each of these bands has a unique way of blending music from the past with modern elements.

What do you enjoy about touring? 

The best part of touring is seeing the music scene of other places and meeting other people and bands in different towns and cities. Music is such a cultural thing that comes out of people, and you really get an insight into how other communities are expressing themselves.

What is the biggest drag about touring?

Eating fast food is a drag.

What advice would you give other young artists today?

Be sure you are making the art that you want to make. Do it for yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others. You are the expert at making the unique art that comes out of you. Appreciate that and feel that it’s worth putting out into the world.