FOLK OFF | Borofsky, far right, says Girlyman has rebounded after a health scare and is back on the road right where they like to be.
Nate Borofsky, the lone male in queer-folksters Girlyman, is just fine with his role
RICH LOPEZ | Staff Writer
lopez@dallasvoice.com
The last time Girlyman toured these parts, Nate Borofsky had a chicken fried steak at the same place they were gigging: Deep Ellum’s All Good Café.
The band has changed since then, from adding a drummer to experiencing a serious health scare. What hasn’t changed is Borofsky’s position in the band: He’s the sole member putting the “man” in Girlyman.
“Oh, I’m used to it and for the most part I kind of enjoy it,” he admits. “I think if I were in an all-male situation, I’d be a little freaked out and looking for my girls.”
The trio became a quartet with the addition of J.J. Jones last year, which made Borofsky wonder: They had gotten along just fine without drums. Their signature three-part harmonies and acoustic guitars kept the band’s sound on a joyous cloud. Would drums weigh them down? Borofsky worried fans would revolt.
“Personally, I’m very surprised how natural it all has happened,” he says. “To suddenly add a new member was a change, but it felt so easy and it feels like she’s always been with us. And the feedback was so positive. Plus, we can now go much further and have a bigger sound, yet she also plays light. It’s very dynamic.”
The band may not get as big a dinner as last time, but refreshments are likely when they play the Fifth Street Coffeehouse in Fort Worth Saturday.
Although their last album, Everything’s Easy, came out back in 2009, they enjoy staying on the road, not only to support the CD, but also to make a buck. That took a detour when bandmate Doris Muramatsu was diagnosed with chronic 
myelogenous leukemia late last year. CML is treatable with prescription drugs and has a high survival rate, but the band still had to scrap tour dates … and their primary source of income. That was a bump, but the band is back on track — with some caution.
“Her health has been really good,” he says. “In many ways, she’s responded really well. We’ve been touring a couple of weeks on and then off, but it’s been great with her.”
As for Borofsky, he’s fine in his testosteronic role in the band and the girls don’t get in the way if he might want to mack on a cute guy in the audience.
If only he would let that happen, he sighs.
“Honestly, I just wanna go back to the hotel room after a show.”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 10, 2011.
