What’s in a band name? Most give a small taste of what an act might sound like, but the best leave things open to conjecture and intrigue.
Such is the case with Americana-based combo Folding Mr. Lincoln, which performs at Desi ‘n’ Friends on Tuesday, April 29. The name allows the group, based around the music of husband-and-wife team Harry and Nancy Mestyanek, to escape preconcieved notions about their sound. Its origin, however, is of a more of an off-the-cuff nature.
During a lunchtime band meeting in February 2006, Nancy asked what the proposed band should be.
“Right when I was folding up a $5 bill to put back in my wallet. I said, ‘How about Folding Mr. Lincoln?'” Nancy said.
“Voila!” Harry Mestyanek said.
The core of Folding Mr. Lincoln is the married pair with bass assists from Dave O’Connell and occasional guests. Although they have been playing local stages for more than two years, their roots go back more than three decades.
“Nancy and I have been married for a little over 30 years,” said Harry Mestyanek. “(We) met through playing music together back in 1973. We married in 1977 and played a bit as an acoustic duo for a few years up in Orange County, mainly weddings, funerals, that sort of thing.”
Raising a family, their career paths put their performing interests on the back burner for several years, though they continued to play and sing together casually at home and with friends now and then. It was after Nancy’s mother passed away in February 2006 that it was decided to officially form a band and give the music another try.
Surprisingly, though Harry Mestyanek started playing guitar at age 10, his wife only began playing a decade ago, adding drums and percussion to her repertoire when Folding Mr. Lincoln was launched.
The group includes folk-rock singer-songwriter and other acoustic-based music in its repertoire, though “we probably lean more towards Americana,” said Harry Mestyanek. He cites Uncle Tupelo, Joni Mitchell and Ryan Adams as influences.
“For both of us, our general interest in listening to music and wanting to understand and engage the songs we listen to inspired us to become musicians and songwriters,” Harry said. “We both have great respect for singer-songwriters. They are at the top of our list, more than athletes, actors, fine artists or politicians.”
Harry feels that music must balance good-time vibes and more message-oriented material.
“I write both types of songs and we play covers in both of those dialogues as well,” he said. “Most of my songs are message oriented, but others are light and humorous. When we play a set of originals, the message-laden songs can get a bit static, so it’s nice to lighten a set like that up with some humorous observations now and then.”
Folding Mr. Lincoln is currently in the studio working on its debut album. Though touring is always an option, Harry Mestyanek plans to keep things local. He considers the state of the local music community to be thriving.
“It seems to be really bustling right now, with lots of places to play and lots of bands and solo acts to see,” Harry said. “It’s a community and we are happy to support it at whatever level we can.”
According to Harry Mestyanek, though the musical portion of Folding Mr. Lincoln is important, it’s actually the secondary reason for the group. The first?
“It’s the fact that Nancy and I, as a couple, can put energy into this band and share it together. We do enjoy singing and playing together and have done it for a long time,” he said.
Harry points said the couple doesn’t indulge in other typical couples activities, such as sports.
“We spend all of our money on gear, practice a lot and try to get better at it. So Folding Mr. Lincoln is sort of like our golf,” Harry said.
Folding Mr. Lincoln performs at Desi ‘n’ Friends, 2734 Lytton St., on Thursday, April 29. The show begins at 8 p.m. and is geared toward ages 21 and up.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/foldingmisterlincoln.