Arts·Q with Tom Power

Rufus Wainwright is embracing his earliest memories growing up in a family of famous folk musicians

On his new album, Folkocracy, Rufus Wainwright takes a look back at his folk roots. He joined Q guest host Talia Schlanger to share some of his earliest musical memories and the story behind his new album.

In a Q interview, the singer-songwriter talks about revisiting his roots on his new album, Folkocracy

Head shot of Rufus Wainwright wearing a leopard and cheetah print outfit against an interior wall marked up with graffiti.
On his new album, Folkocracy, Rufus Wainwright takes a look back at his folk roots. (Miranda Penn Turin)

Given his operatic, maximalist and pop-centered career, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that Rufus Wainwright comes from one of the royal families of folk music. The long line of Wainwrights and McGarrigles have helped dictate the path of popular folk music for the last half century.

On his new album, Folkocracy, Wainwright takes a look back at his folk roots. He joined Q guest host Talia Schlanger to share some of his earliest musical memories and the story behind his new album.

The full interview with Rufus Wainwright is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Rufus Wainwright produced by Mitch Pollock.