Brandon John Foote and Bethany Foote were still newlyweds when their folk rock band Gifts or Creatures began to take shape in a Lansing apartment.

In the months following their August 2009 wedding, the couple began arranging songs with Brandon on guitar and lead vocals, and Bethany on a Wurlitzer piano and harmony vocals.

"It's kind of weird. It's quirky Americana, with a little bit of a darker flavor. It's not über twangy, but there's a little in there," Brandon said.

While Brandon, a veteran American roots musician, writes the lyrics and melodies, Bethany collaborates on the arrangement along with latter help from bandmates Chris Hamilton (bass) and Ty Forquer (percussion).

Gifts or Creatures released Pilot House, its debut CD, in September 2010. The album features an array of local musicians, including May Erlewine and Seth Bernard, Drew Howard, and Sam Corbin, to name a few. The album was released with help from Earthwork Music, a Michigan artist collective, which is also host to locals such as Steppin' In It, Jen Sygit and Breathe Owl Breathe.

Gifts or Creatures Metrospace Folk Festival (Scene) Metrospace, East Lansing Feb. 12, 7 p.m. $10 All ages scenemetrospace.com (517) 319-683

Brandon said his songs are often driven by nostalgia and tidbits of memories, or what he calls "Old World" tunes.

"I'm continually moved by the human experience," he said. "Inventions, urban and rural spaces, theology, people and places - they all color and inspire my writing. Some are a figment of a memory, some slightly fictitious, some actual truth. They are a sort of people's history from where I stand."

Bethany said her husband does his homework before writing a lyric, even checking out historical books from the library for inspiration.

"The subjects are all over the board," she said. "He looks up a story and if it gets his interest, he'll research it. From stories of an old saint in Italy, to a boat in Detroit, often the songs are stories that haven't been told a lot."

"Wolf of Gubbio," the fourth track on Pilot House, is a shining example of Brandon's mission to conjure up old fables.

"It's based on an ancient old world story," Brandon explained. "A ravenous wolf threatened an Italian city with death and fear. He was initially wild and dangerous, but was transformed through the work of Saint Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of nature. He therefore became tame and friendly towards the townspeople ... a living beacon of love."

Along with 13 indie-folk tunes, masterfully mixed by Jim Roll (an Ann Arbor go-to producer), the Pilot House CD also features an original acrylic painting by local artist Jeremy Mason.

"He's an amazing artist, he's shown at the Creole Gallery," Bethany said. "He listened to our early mixes and was like, ‘I want to paint something for you guys.' The cover art he painted was inspired by listening to us and that's what came out. To have that story behind it is so meaningful to us every time we look at it. We have it hanging on our wall."

Brandon said musicians involved with Earthwork Music, and other creative people in Lansing, provided overwhelming support and inspiration for the band's work.

"I think we're at the point where Lansing is our personal community - it's what makes us tick," Brandon said. "We have such an amazing crew of people. We did a Kickstarter (online fundraiser) for this album, to fund the production of it, which was super successful. It just kind of blows your mind that people are like, ‘I want to give you this to encourage you.'"

"It's a lot of inspiration," Bethany added. "Being surrounded by that many influences affects your mind frame when it comes to making music."

Local support has kept the band busy playing frequent gigs nearly every weekend since September, meanwhile, the couple also holds down day jobs. Bethany works as a local preschool teacher and Brandon works at Elderly Instruments in Old Town Lansing.

Brandon said having his wife as a band mate eliminated some of the negatives that often come along with being in a band.

"I think there is a confidence I feel having Bethany there. Most people who play in bands have felt the tug-and-pull of people wanting to go in different directions," he said. "I feel I have a vision and Beth is very supportive of it. It's cool, I feel like we're a team. Even with the other musicians we play with - it's a different vibe. It's been very special.

"I feel like I'm older and have done music for awhile, so I've grown into who I am and I feel okay with where I'm at in life," he added. "We all go through the 20s where it's like, ‘This is crazy, what's happening?' So I think time and wisdom has helped ... but there is a lot more to learn."

Visit the band online at: giftsorcreatures.com.
Also be sure to check out: earthworkmusic.com.

Photo: Brandon and Bethany Foote, shot by Brett Maxwell Photography