Folk music has a timeless quality that is rooted deep in the heartland. Traditional folk songs have been passed down through the generations and sing tales of past tribulations, but the messages within resonate through the years. Writing modern folk music can be an arduous process; guitars, banjos and mandolins all have traditional roles in producing folk tonalities. While these roles can be straightforward, it’s challenging to make music that breaks the mold.

Lyrics are especially important to the folk tradition, as originally, folk music was presumably written by a collective with a common goal — think “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” or songs of battle. Modern folk music has experimented with natural symbolism, seen in acts such as Fleet Foxes, or even personal narrative, as in the style of Bon Iver. Both artists succeed in this age by pushing the envelope.

Urbana is known for having a large number of musicians, especially those who play acoustic instruments. Many gatherings east of Lincoln Avenue have generous amounts of “pickin’ on the porch” to favorite songs — but it takes a special songwriter and musician to command a folk group like My Dear Alan Andrews.

Colin Taylor plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica and writes much of the music and lyrics, sometimes aided by Drew Sampson on harmony and lyrics. Drummer Paul Mason is the only other permanent member of MDAA. Various friends of the band sit in often, adding color to the music through melodies and accompaniment. The result is thoughtful music that welcomes you in like an old friend and isn’t afraid to cover serious issues.

buzz had the chance to sit down recently with wordsmith Colin Taylor to talk about life, music and interactions therein.

buzz: Is there any significance to the name?

Colin Taylor: Alan Andrews was a Manhattan songwriter who died in a car accident in the spring of 2007. I’m not saying this is a dedication to the man, but I think he gave many people strength and courage in a time when timidity was rampant — and perhaps this is still the case. Andrews wrote an album called Cleaned and Pressed in 1999, and as mere poetry, it has always spoken to me.

buzz: When you write your songs, do you typically write the lyrics and music simultaneously or does one or the other come first?

Colin Taylor: Songs evolve as the music is given life. I can’t simply pick a set of chords and force some words atop them. Songs can emerge from any experience in any clime or time. I have never feigned a systematic approach.

A tangent to the previous question probed deeper into this process, and Colin continued, “The song and its writing process must have room to breathe. Ethos [our debut album] has taken three years to complete because of the nature of the material and the [working] environment. We have written nearly 30 songs and yet have just completed our first full-length work.”

My Dear Alan Andrews is playing their first headlining show at Canopy Club on Thursday, June 25, so head out and discover some great local music. The show starts at 9 p.m., costs $5 and also includes opening bands Morgan Orion and The Constellations, Pawn and Bob & Pricilla.

For a lengthier discussion of lyrical prowess with Taylor from My Dear Alan Andrews, visit http://www.the217.com/music.