For this episode of Indystructible, I hung out with Eli Smith, a musician, ethnomusicologist and founder of the Brooklyn Folk Festival. Now in its tenth year, the festival features hundreds of bands from all over the world. There are workshops, open jam sessions and a banjo throwing competition. It’s taking place this year at St. Annes Church from April 6th to the 9th. If you are listening in the New York area, I highly recommend you come down and check it out. You’ll find more details at brooklynfolkfest.com

In this interview Eli and I sat down at his home near the Jalopy Theater in Red Hook, Brooklyn. We discussed the rich history of folk music in New York City, America and the world and the importance of carrying the tradition forward, especially in this day and age.