At World's End: Fern Knight

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MARGIE WIENK, FRONTWOMAN for psychedelic folk-rock collective Fern Knight, appears on the cover of the group's new album bathed in light and wearing a Renaissance-inspired gown with a gracefully embroidered fern.

Pictured seemingly at home in the woods, Wienk is, in fact, a city dweller — the fair maiden lives with guitarist and husband Jim Ayre in Philadelphia. Her music, however, suggests mystical places and classical times. And her wedding day.

"The dress was made by our engineer's wife and embroidered by a relative of the violinist's," says Wienk. "Fern Knight is a family affair."

What started initially as a duo in the late '90s soon evolved into an amorphous unit made up of any number of special guests from Philly's growing folk music fellowship.

But over the last year and a half the Fern has gelled into awell-crafted quartet made up of the happy couple, bassist Jesse Sparhawk and violinist James Wolf. Expertly executed, the group's music is an exquisite mix of traditional folk and wah-wah acid bliss.

Wienk's sparkling harp ripples like a forest lake on the band's eponymous third album, setting a calm mood. Cello and violin gently shape the sound, giving it a slight edge. But Ayre's serpent guitar licks suggest all is not well in the forest glen.

"All is lost/And all will run/Over graying ground/To the rays of the sun," sings Wienk hauntingly but in such a lovely voice.

"Our new record isn't a concept record, but we were going for a pre-apocalyptic theme," says Wienk. "It deals with the state of the world and how we can maybe escape from it."

The foursome really breaks out in live performance, and this particular Fern Knight lineup has an impressive improvisational skill set. "There's more freedom in the sound," says Wienk of the group's interplay.

The Fern's free-spirited folk styling will be on display Friday when the group sets up at Velvet Lounge to celebrate the release of their new record, released on local indie label VHF. "It won't be all doom and gloom," Wienk assures. "There's a ray of sunshine to it."

»Velvet Lounge, 915 U St. NW; with Jack Rose & The Black Twigs and Alexander Turnquist, Fri., 9 p.m., $8; 202-462-3213. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Johnathan Rickman

Photo courtesy Fern Knight