Americanafest: Q & A With Ira Wolf

Americanafest is an annual event organized by the Americana Music Association and held in Nashville, Tennessee. Americanafest 2019 will be held between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15 with the Americana Honors and Awards Show taking place at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 11. The five-day event will feature panels and performances at several venues in Nashville. Ira Wolf will be performing at 7:30 p.m. at The High Watt on Sept. 10.

Photo contributed.

When did you start singing? Before I started talking!

How would you describe your music? Singer/Songwriter folk with a focus on vocals and honest lyrics.

Who are your musical influences? Gillian Welch, Gregory Alan Isakov, Sam Beam.


What is your favorite concert you have attended? Gillian Welch with Punch Brothers at Red Rocks or Gregory Alan Isakov with the Portland Symphony

What made it memorable? Seeing songs that have meant so much to me coming to life in such a beautiful space.


What is your favorite place to perform? What do you like about it?
I love house concerts because of the connection I can make with the audience.

Other than artists, who has been influential in your decision to become a singer? My grandparents – all were musically inclined and supported my interest in music from a young age.

What was the first song you wrote? I can’t remember the very first, but the first one I ever seriously wrote/recorded was ‘Fickle Heart’.

What is your favorite original song? What was the inspiration behind it? Probably ‘Sunscreen’. It was inspired by a sunburn, loneliness, and a long drive through the desert in my Westy.

What does it mean to you to be selected to play Americanafest? It’s been a huge honor and a big check off my bucket list. Nashville has been ‘home’ base for six years and I’m humbled to be part of an event that I’ve looked up to for so long.

Where can people hear your music?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5jq01ts8cBQWwVZOpMax6s?si=czzINs6EQuCa1YxJFjm9cg