Folk&Stress: Stress and I often credit similar artists when it comes to influencing our style. There are thousands of artists and producers that have influenced us and the list would be way to long. Zach D was a heavy influence as well as Black Star, The Clipse, Dj Premier, Wu-Tang, etc. Music was always playing in our house growing up. We were born in the eighties so the artists from that era probably subliminally influenced us at a young age.

Folk&Stress: The phrase, thinking outside the box is widely used throughout the world and the concept behind the phrase is generally our technique. Besides for that, we figured that if we just called the record the box, then we would be leaving it up to the listener to decide what they think we mean…there are many ways one can interpret the title...maybe we are the box, or maybe we think inside the box, or maybe emcees rap not for the sake of hip-hop, but for box? Folk&Stress is a box of sound and anyone is welcome inside. We actually recorded the entire record inside the worlds largest cardboard box.

Folk&Stress: The experience was one that we will never forget. Gza and Priest showed us massive love and the crowds were highly responsive and definitely surprised. The fact that we were on such a legendary tour was surreal to us. I would say Philly showed us the most love. New York was intense, but we got through it and introduced ourselves to a sold out show at irving plaza. Rza, Raekwon, Cappadonna and Masta Killa were all in attendance so the night was crazy. Wu-Tang fans are some of the most loyal, dedicated, and defensive fans so if you can impress them, then your doing something right. We definitely surprised the audience and Choco held us down on the boards so we were in good hands.

Folk&Stress: Though our sound embodies a lot of different music, it is definitively hip-hop. Our songs have a lot of natural soul that can be found in the samples. Folk&Stress is up to date and relevant. Our content is new and classic at the same time. The beats are standard issue and the samples are timeless. Stress and I go back and forth a lot and we have good chemistry.

Folk&Stress: When dreddy stepped in and decided to A&R the project, we instantly went into the studio with him and started to craft songs. There were many elements in the recording process that were brought to light while working with Dreddy. Up until that point, Stress and I were comfortable working in our own studio so Dreddy was really the first person who constructively criticized our work. We were at Integrated Studios in Manhattan with him for about 6 weeks, mon-fri, 10-7. The hours were long so our work ethic developed. The people we were introduced to and the guidance and wisdom we received while there was priceless. Dreddy helped us craft an album and taught us many of the fundamental ideas behind making an album. Our style and delivery changed and the amateur elements that were holding us back were quickly brought to light and changed. Choco engineered and mixed the record so we really got to hone in our collaborative skills when it came to working fluently with others.

Folk&Stress: Dreddy has a great relationship with Gza and he was feeling our project so we all decided to do the track. We new we wanted Gza from the start but it was a matter of crafting the right beat and making the right song in order to approach him about the idea.

Folk&Stress: We were basically done with the record before that song was made. We had wanted Gza on the record, but the beat just wasn't there yet. On the last day that we were supposed to be in the studio , I was listening to records and discovered this really dark sample that reminded me of New York. After a few minutes, the beat was done and I sent the file to Dreddy. He then called me and we all decided we were gonna record over the beat the next day at Roc Da Mic studios and he was gonna get in touch with Gza. By the next day, we showed up and did our verses. Gza showed up, sat down and crafted the verse. We decided that we were gonna call the song "New York." Dreddy also had this idea of sampling George Gershwin and Woody Allen in the intro. In two hours, the entire track was done. We all new gza gave us a classic verse and that the track embodied the title, which is simply "New York."

Folk&Stress: Just being backstage was definitely a promotion for us and the whole experience really helped us grow as performers. Opening for Gza in New York at Irving Plaza is like the gauntlet of rap for any upcoming emcees. To impress 1500 wutang fans who are all waiting on there feet for two hours is difficult. Thankfully, we got through the entire set and felt confident. Being backstage with almost the entire clan was a blessing. When we were in Boston, Stress and I got in a huge fight over me getting breakfast I ended up punching and cracking the entire windshield.

Folk&Stress: The sound is definitely east coast and the themes are all over the place. We have this one track with Vast Aire that references Kill Bill. Our joint with Blu is called Lear Jet and it's about getting higher than a lear jet. We have a bunch of really live joints that sound good. Besides, its just alot of us spitting.

Folk&Stress: The record is done and it's called "The Box." There are 16 tracks and it has guest features from Aesop Rock, The Gza/Genius, Vast Aire, Blu, and Bronze Nazareth. I produced 13 of the 16 joints and the other 3 were done by Preservation, Bronze Nazareth, and Pushakey. Pushakey did this joint called "Fast" which stands out alot. The record is arranged well and the album is well balanced. We've basically got something for everyone. Due to problems with our distribution company, the record missed it's initial release date and now it's re-scheduled for release in December. Until then, we are dropping a mixtape hosted by Peter Rosenburg from Hot 97. The mixtape will drop at the end of the month and will have a couple of suprise guest features and some dope production from me and preservation. We just finished recording the tape at Jay-Z's Roc Da Mic studios in Manhattan. Jay-Z was recording Blueprint 3 at the same time as us and the inspiration was definitely there. It will be offered for free download on our myspace page.

Folk&Stress: I first got into production when I started recording live drums and making hip-hop beats by eye on cakewalk sonar back in 2001. I started sampling with just anything that sounded old and classic to me . I continued to make beats over the years and soon purchased the Mpc 2000 which then turned into the 1000 and now that's whats I primarily use. I sample a lot but often for the purpose of using the sample as an instrument rather then just a sample of the master recording. The beat for "New York" was done using some old drums that I've been using for years and a classic sample from the early 60's. The sound is very dark and the tension in the chorus is a great bridge into the verse. The overall sound of the beat to me is classic, and that's why it features a classic emcee.

Folk&Stress: Right now, we are recording and putting down as much material as possible. We're promoting "The Box" and we're dropping the mixtape with Peter Rosenburg from Hot 97. Rosenburg has been showing us love and has been playing our joint Lear Jet with Blu on Hot 97 in New York. Also, thanks to Peter Oasis from LiveNDirect, we are doing the CMJ showcase on October 26th in Brooklyn, Ny with Black Milk, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, and U.N.I at Southpaw. Besides, we are just writing and creating right now. We are also gonna drop the single with Gza soon in order to promote the album. The single artwork will also be released which was designed exclusively by Alife. Our friends from Vane Lifestyle Clothing (www.vanelifestyle.com) sat with us for the past month at Roc Da Mic Studios and basically documented alot of the recording process. A brand new Folk&Stress x Vane video interview will be on our myspace shortly which will give fans a better look into the project. Also, Hoch Films (And1 Streetball) documented the entire recording of "The Box" including the session with Gza. All of this material will be released shortly on our youtube channel, folkandstresstv

Folk&Stress: The fact that we are family definitely helps us work more comfortably together. The chemistry on stage is definitely there and our similar accents create a really distinctive fluidness on the track. I wouldn't say there is any rivalry but we sometimes don't get along outside of music due to the fact that we are brothers. Besides, we always agree on the same ideas and and have similar tastes when it comes to crafting the music. The fact that we are family is positive for our growth because there is this certain bond in our team which is like, if everything falls apart and crashes horribly, we'll still be a group.

Folk&Stress: We have dedicated our lives to this, yet we still have lives outside of music. We are avid soccer players and our health is a huge part of our lives and our music. We are also movie enthusiasts and overall fans of dope shit. Our father is Buck Baker, Legendary Nascar driver and winner of the 1967 Winston Cup. We could have both taken over his reign and began driving nascar, but we decided on folk&stress. Besides, that was a joke and our father isn't Buck Baker. We also are also trained sioux chefs.

Folk&Stress: YES!! The box is coming and the mixtape is dropping next month and will be offered for free download from our myspace page. If your in New York on October 26th, come out to the CMJ show. Besides, hit us on our myspace page www.folkandstress.com and send us a message or something. Thankyou for reading and peace to windwalker and wuforever.com for conducting this interview. PEACE -FOLK&STRESS

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