David Eugene Edwards: I think, originally, we had wanted to do a complete record of all traditional songs, from the music that inspired our music or the people that we like, you know... And it's mostly traditional music from all around the world or whatever. So we started, we picked out the songs that we wanted to do and I think we just felt that we wanted to add our own voice alongside these other voices and kind of make our own version of folklore, musically you know... So the overall idea behind the record was folklore, stories of the people...



Sarah: Yes, that's what I wanted to ask you, what does the word Folklore cover for you?

David: Well, to me, it's just... Well, I guess I speak as far as music is concerned, but folklore is many different things: literature, picture, art or whatever... But, for us, musically, it's just music of the people, for the people. Not for money, not to be famous or … . It's just how people communicate: different ideas or emotions or how they relate to each other.



Sarah: About your influences, I heard that they were very eclectic. I heard about AC/DC, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and medieval music... Do you think that the eclectic gives richness to your music, deepness...?

David: Well, I hope it does. It's something that I can't even control because I like so many kinds of music. When I was younger of course, I was so much more narrow-minded you know... just because the influence from outside... I would only listen to certain music, because of the people I was with; I hadn't travelled around and heard a lot of other music so... But now that I have travelled around and I do a lot of searching for traditional music from all over the world, it has to have an effect on the way I make music; the way I think about music is different...



Sarah: And how important is Joy Division for you. You did a Joy Division cover on the live album...?

David: They were a big part of my growing up, and listening to music, you know what I mean. Because I was listening to them all the time. So yeah, it has a big influence, you know, in every way, music and lyrics, just the style and everything...



Sarah: And you started playing in a punk band, I read in 1982, which was called Restless Middle Class? What were the bands you were listening to at that time?

David: Oh, you know, just a lot of punk rock music: American punk rock and some British punk rock... Just like Black Flag and the Circle Jerks... All these Californian or New York bands...



Sarah: Are there punk bands from Colorado?

David: Oh, of course! There were many at that time, it was very popular, you know!



Sarah: What do you keep now, from those punk rock years?

David: Just kind of an attitude of doing what you want to do, without worrying about what people are going to think. Which is a good way to... I mean, not in a negative way, you know what I mean. But to not be afraid to make the music you want to make.



Sarah: You said in one interview that 16 Horsepower music has three different parts in it: 'the Americana thing', you called it like that, the European traditional music part and the spiritual part. I was wondering what exactly you called 'European' in 16 Horsepower?

David: Just musical influences, you know what I mean. Just from the music itself and the instruments that we use or even the timing of the songs. Sometimes it's based on an eastern European rhythm or whatever.



Sarah: How strong do you think is the influence of the two French musicians? Do you think it helps your music sounding European?

David: Really, I don't think so much... You know, the reason that we started to make music together was that we had a common interest in music. We grew up listening to the same music and we were drawn to the same type of music so it didn't really have anything to do with location or where we were from … or, you know...We could met anywhere and it would be the same. I think later on, as we're all further exploring traditional music from all over the world... they, at that time, bring more of the European feel, because they just know more about European music than I do or whatever. They have been exposed to it more in their lives or whatever... So I learn things from them about different music but they have learned about European music from me as well, just from my own point of view. So we're just people who have similar interests, more than just French or American.



Sarah: I was wondering also how your music is received in USA? Do you have the same success as in Europe or in France for example?

David: No, we don't. Well, it depends on where we are, you know. If we play in New York or in Boston or this area, we do really well, we do good. And in the west coast, Seattle or San Francisco, we do as good there as we do in Europe. But then, in the middle of America, it's much more difficult. So, yeah, we're much more successful all over Europe, because we do well in a lots of different countries, so, we spend a lot of time over here.



Sarah: Do you think that Americans see you differently than Europeans, maybe because they are closer to American folklore?

David: I think American people are less interested in traditional music. I mean you know there's a big popularity now with the movie that came out "O, Brother, where art thou", and so all this bluegrass music or this mountain music became sort of popular or whatever. But in general, America is not very interested in... Maybe it's because it's such a young country and we don't have a very long musical history. I mean all the music that we have is from France or Sweden or wherever and it has all been mixed together in America. So I think it's just a little bit less important because we don't have a musical history that is as rich, you know what I mean, so people are more interested in going further with the music or whatever...



Sarah: Do you feel close to some other American bands like Giant Sand or Calexico, who also play with the western-like images?

David: Yeah, I mean you know we're from similar parts of America. We kind of, I think, maybe grew up in similar ways. And we're all friends with them and yeah, they're in the same position as us, they do better here than they do in America and they spend a lot of time over here. You know, it's kind of a funny thing really. Because most bands want to play in Europe or things like that and maybe they don't do as well. But people like us, who are playing an 'Americana' type of music, when we started we thought that Americans would listen to it and maybe only a few non-Americans you know. But then, it becomes popular so far away from home. So it's just like: "Okay, so we come over!"



Sarah: But do you think you continue the tradition of country folk music when you do the covers of the Carter Family, Hank Williams...?

David: No, I don't see it this way. I don't see myself as helping continue anything on. I just perform the songs I love from the music that I love. And if that helps in any way then that's good but I don't see myself on a mission for this.



Sarah: Religion is very important for you and it impregnates your lyrics of course. But I have the feeling your faith and how you express it, it's very different from the way it can be used, and nowadays especially in the USA, to enforce things like conformism and patriotism...

David: Yeah... Any sort of religion, whether it's in America, in Africa or anywhere, is always used by man to control other people, to make them behave the way they want them to behave. And for whatever reason: maybe they want money, maybe they want fame, maybe they want power, maybe they're just afraid and they think 'oh we must behave this way or, you know, we will go to hell or whatever'. So, no, I don't like that this way, you know what I mean. It's much more of a... just a relationship with God and through the bible and His words, getting to know Him. You love Him because you love Him. You want to be like Him, you want to do the things He wants you to do because you love Him, not because you're afraid to do the wrong things, not because of what other people are going to say. Just because, you know, if you love your wife, you treat her a certain way because you love her, that's it! Because you respect her, you love her... It's the same kind of relationship.



Sarah: You all play on old instruments. And I also read that you had said that you preferred using an ancient vocabulary for your lyrics. Maybe you find deepness into old things that you can't find in modern things?

David: Yeah, I'm just drawn to older things. You know, I mean I'm a modern person of course. I live in the world that we live in. But, there's just so much stuff that has been left, in the name of progress or whatever, all these really good things: instruments, and ways of speaking and ways of looking, and words. You know, everything has just been so simplified so we can make money, make more money you know... Everything becomes simple and quick because it's all money oriented. So yeah, I like things that have taken more time, or people have put their time into it and created something, for the sheer enjoyment of creating and working with the hands.



Sarah: And how important, well I guess it's important, but how important is it for you to play live? I suppose it's not only promoting the album in different countries, does it have a special meaning?

David: No, promoting the album is the least of my concerns, you know. I mean, no, we don't tour because we have to tour, we tour because we want to tour. I mean I think it's important for people to see us live. I mean it's great that they buy the record. But playing live is where we are best and it's just an important thing, that's the most real, the most true to us.



Sarah: Do you think of how the audience is receiving your music? Do you have something special to give them?

David: I give them each song, you know. And I give everything to each song. Whatever people get from the music is... I don't know ... I have no control you know. I hope they get something good you know ... something that they need.



Sarah: And will you make another Woven Hand album?

David: Oh yeah...



Sarah: You also said about Woven Hand that it was much more European than 16 Horsepower...

David: Yeah the music that I was listening to at the time was all, you know, European medieval music, and renaissance music... So there's much more of this flavour to it.



Sarah: There are three imposed questions in this magazine... The first one: is there one album of which you could say that it has changed your life?

David: Sure... Paradise Discotheque by Crime And The City Solution.



Sarah: Which albums would you recommend to your young fans, the ones who don't know music that well? Could you quote me three of them?

David: Three albums that I would recommend? Well, that's sort of difficult. It depends on the person that I would be recommending to. Some of the music I'm listening to, I wouldn't want to. In general, maybe Bob Dylan 'Desire', 'Closer' by Joy Division, and 'Paradise Discotheque'!



Sarah: The last compulsory question, could you tell me about one of your first time, your first concert or an important first time?

David: Oh, I remember the first 16 Horsepower show, which was in Denver. There were maybe 50 people, just my friends you know... That was a really special occasion and it has always been like that, ever since that first show, it has been just exciting to play with this band and just a pleasure.