Kenosha-based ROCKfolk is a wonderful person in the music scene that everyone should meet and get to know. Christopher Thelen (vocals/guitar), the man behind the band, is known for being a supportive presence for other creatives in the scene, as well as a really talented lyricist.

If you ever hear him out playing and you want to book him (or just share an encouraging word), you can reach him at rockfolkmanagment@gmail.com.

Now, please, take time to get to know him a little more in his own words in the Q-and-A below:

Saint of Sixth (SOS):

What is your first memory of being drawn to music?

ROCKfolk:

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. I remember my dad playing his Jim Croce albums in our living room, and how he instilled a love of the oldies in me.

SOS:

What would you say are your greatest influences?

ROCKfolk:
In terms of my music, the singer/songwriters of the past like John Denver, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, Dan Fogelberg and John Prine certainly play a huge part. But I listen to all genres of music, so I’m certain they all touch upon my music in some manner.

SOS:

Why do you, personally, make music?

ROCKfolk:

Music is my creative outlet that allows me to express all sorts of emotions, and to help draw them out of people who take the time to listen to me. I just love the whole process of finding the right chords and words and creating something that, I hope, is meaningful to people.

“I remember my dad playing his Jim Croce albums in our living room, and how he instilled a love of the oldies in me.“

— Christopher Thelen/ROCKfolk

SOS:

What is your music about?

ROCKfolk:

My songs are about love and loss, about laughter and grief, and life in general (even when it gets a little messy). I like to say, by the end of one of my sets, I should have put an audience through the whole gamut of human emotion.

SOS:

What is your favorite memory from a show you’ve played?

ROCKfolk:

It might sound weird, but any time I look out into an audience and see someone dabbing their eyes because my music made them cry, it shows me I’m doing something right. Not that I want people to feel bad, but they connect with the stories I tell in my songs. It happened once in Waukesha; after my set, a punk rocker came up to me teary-eyed, slapped his chest and said, “Dude… ya got me.”

SOS:

What other local band/bands do you like to go see perform?

ROCKfolk:

I hesitate just naming bands, because I know I’m going to inadvertently forget someone, and I don’t want to slight them. Immediately, artists like Spirit Shakers, Would You Kindly?, Miss B. Haven and Jennifer Wutt come to mind (as well as Daniel Thompson… know this is your project, but you have a hell of a voice and stage presence). Dakota Bearcat also is a singer/songwriter with some amazing vocal power. (Apologies to anyone I didn’t name!)

SOS:

You have a night off, where are you hanging out in Kenosha?

ROCKfolk:

I’m actually a bit of a homebody, so most often I’ll be on my Playstation 5 gaming with other family members. If we do venture out, most likely it would be either to eat (Kaiser’s Pizza comes to mind) or to see my friends perform. Other than that, I’d probably be found standing outside Frank’s Diner, wishing they would be open for dinner. 😉

SOS:

What else would you like people to know about you/your band?

ROCKfolk:

While I do a lot of open mic events in the southeastern Wisconsin area, I’m always open to full-length performances, and would be happy to serve as an opening act for similar musicians. Thanks to everyone who has supported me to this point in my career, keep supporting local live music… and, as my stickers say, “Keep storytelling alive!”