Rich Horton has a new music project, Dick Williams Folk. It’s clever and, as the name implies, more folk than other projects. (We had an opportunity to talk to Rich with Tragic Hands in 2022.) You should listen to it on your to his yummy restaurant – Relish!
I love the softer side of Rich, please tell us about Dick Williams Folk.
After my previous band broke up, I started listening to new things, such as lo-fi folk, experimental indie, and a good mix of new music. I had some songs and was playing them all with just an acoustic guitar. I just let them grow organically and went from the idea I was going to go into the studio to record them to deciding to record them at home.
After finishing a few, I had Nic Heidt mix them, a previously local engineer/musician who has since relocated to South Korea. Those songs originally weren’t going to be part of this larger project, but since they turned out well, I combined them with another batch of songs I was working on.
I can’t mix as well as Nic, but I knew what I was looking for. After listening to all that other new music, I let my guard down and decided it didn’t have to be perfect; if I captured the feeling, it would all be good.
I went from an all-acoustic album to sparse instrumentation to a mix of both and the one heavier song – I just liked so much I wanted to put it on there.
The softer side is there, but I also like the little edge. The name is a nickname for my name, my birth name, and folk was for the acoustic.
The name of the new album is Mostly Uncomfortable. Does DWF make you feel more or less comfortable? Softer seems more vulnerable, but maybe it isn’t.
Mostly Uncomfortable, mostly comes from a feeling about myself. I am constantly feeling at odds with myself. I am still determining what is worth it and what I am doing is worthy of recognition. Like a slight anxiety, but still able to get things done.
The Losers Think They Won is a song that touches me for so many reasons – including, isn’t thinking you won half the battle, but in a different way than I hear in False Positives? What is the inspiration?
The Losers Think They Won is slightly political because actions have consequences, and sometimes, you have to concede that something you did might have caused a more significant issue—a no-apology sort of deal. False positives are the feeling you can do no wrong and know what’s best for everyone. I write abstracts intentionally so people can take what they want from it. Sometimes, the meaning changes to me as I hear it more.
I know this isn’t music, but I want to give you a chance to talk up Relish if you would.
My family and I own a restaurant we opened last year called Relish. It is like a rollercoaster, like being in a band trying to get fans. There is just way more at stake. It’s rewarding but very challenging. It’s a full-time job on top of my full-time job – just letting people know about it. Relish – 700 Central NE, Minneapolis MN 55414 – www.relishmpls.com– come check it out!
Are you going to be playing out with/as DWF? Might we see DWF pop onto stage during other sets? Do you have other shows coming up?
Playing live: I haven’t had plans for that yet and have been too busy. I need someone to say can you open a show in a few months so I have a timeline and a goal. Then, I will practice hard right before and be nervous. I have only played acoustic alone once, and it was only one song. So it would be a new experience for me.
Mostly Minnesota 