LYONS — Since their formation in 2013, Carly Ricks Smith and Laura Paige Stratton have built their duo dynamic as Foxfeather. First playing music together in college, they’ve continued honing their craft as an Americana-rock singer-songwriter pair.
“While we still do some writing outside of the two of us, a lot of our strengths come as co-writers," Smith says, "so we lean into that as much as we can.”
While they’ve primarily developed as a twosome, they’ve also frequently performed with a full band, with supporting musicians on electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and (in past shows) fiddle.
“It’s great that we can do the small, acoustic duo if that’s the vibe for the venue,” says Stratton. “When it’s a big stage, we’ll have the full band. We like to mix it up—it makes it fun for us and the audience.”
The band has also performed in a trio or quartet capacity depending on each venue. The flexibility of the group dynamic is something they've embraced alongside their stylistic choices.
“We try and think about what the show, the venue, the audience, and the event need when we deciding if we're doing a duo, a trio, a quartet, or the full band," Smith says. "With the full band, we generally have more of a lively feel. When we play as a duo, we can sink into songwriting and harmonies."
Their latest full-length album, 2021’s "The Forces of Nature," came as the COVID-19 pandemic began to wind down. The band has focused primarily on local performances since the pandemic regulations lifted, and "The Forces of Nature" came together before regulations were completely gone.
“We recorded that one in a barn where we could all be in separate rooms and have air flow," Stratton says. "That process was very unique and took longer to get everything overdubbed, recorded, and mixed in a very special time, as we all remember.”
Smith and Stratton have developed their musical voice, expanding from personal heartbreak into social commentary and outspoken support of disenfranchised groups. They hope their music gives audiences a way to process the world and a place of solace and belonging.
“Carly and I are really good friends and have been for a very long time,” says Stratton, “I feel really grateful I get to create music and be creative with my best friend.”
Foxfeather will be performing as a duo at Oskar Blues Grill and Brew, located at 303 Main Street in Lyons, on Friday, November 20, starting at 7 p.m.
