Faun Fables

Faun Fables is an American band based in Oakland, California. Faun Fables is a concept and vehicle for Dawn McCarthy, who was inspired to write the original material while traveling after leaving the New York City music scene in 1997.[1] Faun Fables also covers 20th century compositions by other songwriters and traditional folk songs. The music on the first album is entirely by McCarthy, as are all lyrics and most of the music on Mother Twilight. All albums except for the first are collaborations with Nils Frykdahl, inspired by McCarthy's previous work and "Dawn the Faun" stage persona.

Faun Fables
Dawn McCarthy
Dawn McCarthy
Background information
OriginOakland, California, United States
GenresPsychedelic folk
Art rock
Experimental music
Theatre
Performance art
Years active1999–present
LabelsDrag City
MembersDawn McCarthy
Nils Frykdahl
Past membersJenya Chernoff
Matt Lebofsky

Collaborations

Main collaborator Nils Frykdahl is known for his work with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Idiot Flesh. Faun Fables albums and shows also feature collaborations with:

  • Family members - sister Sheila Bosco (Autobody; Drumhead; Flaming Fire; zBug), brother Brian McCarthy, and mother Michelina Tyrie;
  • Matt Waldron of 'irr. app. (ext.)'
  • Robin Coomer of 'Loop!Station'
  • Kirana Peyton of Blackbird Stitches;
  • Isabel Douglass of Rupa & the April Fishes;
  • Noe Venable;
  • Will Oldham;
  • Dan Rathbun of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum (bass guitar)

Performance

McCarthy's performances draw on many influences, including British, Scandinavian, Appalachian and Eastern European music. Her shows often contain elements of theater—dance and puppet shows are common elements. She has covered songs of Ewa Demarczyk and Brigitte Fontaine, and her music has been compared to neo-psych-folk artists such as Devendra Banhart and Current 93.

The Transit Rider

This is an ambitious performance and multimedia documentation of a song cycle entitled The Transit Rider.

Discography
Release Title Label Extra info
1999 Early Song (unofficial) Reissue: August 24, 2004; Drag City
2001 Mother Twilight Earthlight Reissue: August 24, 2004; Drag City
February 24, 2004 Family Album Drag City
March 16, 2006 The Transit Rider Drag City Music from the Stage Performance
October 19, 2010 Light of a Vaster Dark Drag City Music from the Stage Performance
July 22, 2016 Born of the Sun Drag City
Spring 2021 Elfrida Fiddler's Green One-song 7" flexi-disk, bundled within the magazine "Tales from Fiddler's Green 1"
October 7, 2022 Live in Norway Self released on Bandcamp

Members

Current
  • Dawn McCarthy: composer, vocals, guitars, percussion, stomping, autoharp, gamelan
  • Nils Frykdahl: composer, guitars, flutes, vocals, percussion, autoharp, broom

Former
  • Sheila Bosco: vocals, percussion
  • Kirana Peyton: bass, vocals, percussion, harmonium
  • Meredith Yayanos: violin, theremin, vocals, percussion

The Transit Rider North America Tour 2006:

  • Jenya Chernoff: drums, bass guitar, vocals
  • Matt Lebofsky: guitar, bass guitar, warr guitar, vocals

References
  1. "The history of Faun Fables, home of Dawn McCarthy and Nils Frykdahl". Faunfables.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
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