How exactly do you guys define "folk music?" Well, we're not quite sure of this ourselves. In general we play music that uses voices and acoustic instruments and in general just feels good. Can I try out to be in TUIB? You sure can! We are looking for both singers and instrumentalists who sing too. You don't need any former singing experience or training. We hold auditions at the beginning of every year. You can sign up at our audition concert, or you can send us an email to ask about trying out. Don't be afraid to write to us; if you enjoy folk music, we already like you. Do you guys have an intense rush process like a capella? Naw, we're not into that whole scene, nothing against those who are. A number of our members are part of an a capella group in addition to TUIB. Our auditions are fairly relaxed. We lead you through warm ups, you sing us a song you've prepared, and then we'll teach you one of our songs. After that we have a round of call backs, and then we make our decision. What instruments do you use? Guitar is our regular staple, but we often add upright bass, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Occasionally, you'll see us with harmonica, flute, drum, or accordion. Who writes your arrangements? We do. All of our songs were at some point arranged by a member of TUIB and then passed on orally from year to year. Some of the arrangements have changed over the years when we forget things or think of changes we would like, but that is the folk process. Does TUIB ever travel? Yes indeed. Every spring break we go on a week long tour. Our past destinations have included Chicago, Cincinnati, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington D.C, and New Orleans. It seems like you guys do a lot of small shows. Do you ever play any big long shows? Yeah, every reading week we put on our twice annual Bees and Cheer concert. These are always lots of fun with plenty of folk music and refreshments. I always end up missing TUIB concerts because I don't know when they are. Is there some way of making sure I hear about them? Yes! You can sign up for our email list to find out about our shows. Just email Charles at charles.zhu@yale.edu to be added. Can you tell me a little about the history of TUIB? Sure. We were founded in 1986 by folk musician and Yale graduate Nerissa Nields and since then have performed alongside such musicians as Arlo Guthrie, Dar Williams, Sweet Honey In The Rock, and Odetta. So I think your albums have really interesting titles. Where did you come up with those? Well the titles of our last two albums, Five Miles Away and I am an Old Woman, come from lyrics to our songs. "Five miles away" is from the song Paradise, and "I am an old woman" is from Angel from Montgomery. Our two albums before that were called TUIB Live and Struggle for a Goat. The former was so named just because it contained live recordings. The latter is much more mysterious and steeped in ancient TUIB lore. As we understand it, it had something to do with some grafitti in a room TUIB used to rehearse in. I liked the old version of the TUIB site. Can I still look at it? Uh, yes. If you are so inclined, you can still view the original version of the TUIB site here. TUIB, will you go out with me? Yes. Yes we will.