Dark times call for stories of passion and resilience, and today’s episode delivers just that. We’re diving into the world of Star Wars-inspired folk music with the incredible band Folk the Empire.
I had such a great time talking to Erik, Chris, and Mike and I hope you enjoy our wide-ranging coversation about how they formed, their unique blend of punk and folk, and the deep storytelling that infuses their music. If you’ve ever wondered what fight songs the Rebellion would rally behind, this episode is for you.
Stick around to the end of the episode to hear one of their songs, and if you like what you hear, check them out on social media and support their upcoming EP "Rise Up" on Bandcamp which drops Friday March 7.
00:22 – Introduction to Folk the Empire: A band that merges Star Wars, folk music, and anti-fascist resistance.
01:07 – Meet the band: Erik (banjo), Chris (guitar), and Mike (cajon/percussion), their backgrounds, and how this project came to life.
02:22 – The origins of Folk the Empire: How a banjo, punk roots, and a rebel recruitment song started it all.
04:09 – Playing their first live show at a metal gig (!?) and the surprising support of the metal community.
07:40 – The importance of humor in Star Wars and protest music, and the role of folk music as 'news of the land.'
0:39 – Writing songs in the Star Wars universe: What would a Rebel pilot sing before a battle? What does life on Tatooine sound like?
6:13 – The power of allegory: Using Star Wars to talk about real-world politics and activism in a way that resonates.
19:56 – Introducing their in-universe personas: The Burgundy Squadron and their rebel radio past.
24:44 – Why folk music is the perfect vehicle for Star Wars storytelling.
30:42 – Playing live shows: The challenge of fitting in and their favorite gig experiences.
40:19 – Handling Star Wars fandom and avoiding toxic gatekeeping.
46:43 – The impact of Andor and what makes ‘gritty’ Star Wars so powerful.
53:11 – The DIY spirit: Why making something by hand is more meaningful in the digital age.
58:51 – Upcoming releases: New cassette EP with amazing artwork inspired by classic Star Wars toys.
01:12:19 – If they could play any venue in the galaxy, where would it be?
1:18:08 – Where to find Folk the Empire and what song to start with.
Follow Folk the Empire on Instagram: instagram.com/folk_the_empire Listen to their music on YOUTUBE: youtube.com/@FolktheEmpire Pre-Save the "RISE UP" EP: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/folktheempire/rise-up
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