First
comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a…band? Anyone will tell you that
marriage takes work. Being in a band takes work, practice, flexibility, and
commitment as well. Being in both means you’ve got to be able to handle quite
the balancing act. Lansing native band Gifts or Creatures is an indie folk
husband-wife duo of Bethany and Brandon Foote. The couple has been married for
eight years, and playing music together for seven years.
A wedding gift helped fuel the fire of a future formative band. “We actually
didn’t play much together until after we were married,” Bethany said. “Brandon
surprised me with a vintage Wurlitzer keyboard as a wedding present. Shortly
after our wedding, he started sharing some new music he’d written with me and it
evolved from there. We recorded our first project, Pilot House, five months
after the wedding.”
The Americana-inspired act admits that juggling date nights and gigs was
difficult, but they’ve now got it down to a science.
“Finding balance with family life, work and music has been essential for us as
life partners,” they said. “Over the last few years we made the decision to play
live less and that’s felt like the right choice time and time again. We love
performing, but we also love our time at home with our son, making meals,
working on new music and finding solitude in the simple things.”
Influenced by classic artists like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, The Beatles, The Beach
Boys, and The Band, the Footes had varying levels of musical upbringing. Bethany
grew up in a musical home, being exposed to a husband-wife duo early on, and
played piano in church.
”My parents both played various instruments, and sang and recorded music
together. When I reflect on my childhood, pleasant memories come to mind of my
dad strumming guitar and my sisters and I singing together around the piano,”
Bethany said.
“I remember music lessons and practice times (some happier than others - though
I’m glad I stuck with it!), mixed in with piano recitals and choir practice.
Music was a big part of our family, as well our faith community.”
Bethany’s father studied music education in college, and her mother played oboe
in orchestra. Brandon became interested in the guitar in eighth grade, and then
learned mandolin, lap steel and other instruments while working at Elderly
Instruments for 15 years.
Brandon recalled his early music days with his Fisher Price record player, which
was later replaced with a cassette player and the Thriller album by
Michael Jackson.
“I was exposed to my mother’s record collection as a kid,” Brandon said. “I
loved sifting through the albums and was totally enamored by the concept of
vinyl records and their sonic byproduct.”
While the couple formed their band in Lansing, they recently moved to Kalamazoo
to continue their journey. So far, the band has had national success, with their
career highlights as playing Wheatland Festival and recording a session with
Daytrotter, which features many up-and-coming indie acts.
Gifts or Creatures considers the mitten state full of musical gems and talented
artists, many of whom have positively impacted their sound. Nestled amongst
other Michigan musicians including Seth Bernard, May Erlewine, Chris Bathgate,
Breathe Owl Breathe, and Red Tail Ring, the indie-folk Americana band is part of
the Earthworks Music Collective.
“The people who make up the music community in Michigan are golden,” Gifts or
Creatures said. “We have been so blessed to be a part of this community, the
Earthwork music community especially. There is a strong sense of support and
friendship - instead of competition - amongst fellow musicians in the Mitten
state. We see many of them as incredible inspirations, as they are doing
wonderful work in the music, environmental, and social justice realms. But we
also are privileged to see them as dear friends. That sense of comradery is
invaluable, especially in times like these.”
After Brandon met Seth Bernard at Blissfest in 2001, the two connected and have
remained close ever since. Brandon even calls Seth an unofficial member of Gifts
or Creatures, assisting on production of their records.
“When I had a batch of songs ready to go back in late 2009, Seth Bernard was one
of the first people to hear them,” Brandon said. “He was excited about the
potential of a Gifts or Creatures record and joined us in the studio to record
our debut album.”
For their third studio album,
Fair Mitten, historical themes run rampant throughout the record, to be
released on Sept.22 via Earthwork Music.
“Our music is heavily influenced by historical events and geographic locations.
This new collection of songs indeed explores the last four centuries in the
Great Lakes Basin. I have always loved history and the natural world since I was
a child,” Brandon said.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental
Education, Brandon has worked as a naturalist over the years. This love for
history and geography can’t help but creep into the duo’s music.
“Our goal for our music isn’t necessarily to teach lessons as much as it is to
inspire people to go out and learn about the area you come from or live in,”
Brandon said. “We also hope our music inspires people to protect the land, water
and air for future generations. Understanding the history of the Great Lakes
region has helped me feel more connected to the area.”
Gifts or Creatures will be making an appearance in our immediate area --
performing on September 29 at the Robin Theatre with Seth Bernard in Lansing’s
REO Town neighborhood. October dates include Petoskey and Kalamazoo stops,
followed by Grand Rapids’ Lamp Light Music Festival in November.