Europeans love American spirituals and folk songs. We also pick folks songs in Spanish that show the connections between cultures related to Spain.

I love a lot of Irish folk music and Irish folk songs.

This is very definitely an opera -- there's no spoken dialogue at all, but because of the use of folk songs, it's a very unique type of performance.

When I think of folk music, I think of topical songs. And I don't write topical songs.

We have real grass root influences: blues, folk, real rock 'n roll. We all love the Grateful Dead. That is probably our biggest influence. Other influences of the band include the Doors, Pink Floyd and Sublime.

I thought Brand New was awesome! I only knew a few songs before I went but they put on a great show. The audience was really into it.