The sold-out crowd at the Berklee Performance Center went wild between every simple song delivered by the fresh Southern duo The Civil Wars on October 28th. The stage was simple, no fancy lighting or large band to accompany the talent. Rather, Joy Williams stood in front of a mic and sang her heart out, arms fluttering whimsically around her, while John Paul White stood a few feet away strumming his guitar and singing an equal part. Somehow, the simplicity and rawness of this entranced the packed house for the 90-minute set, ending with the audience uproariously demanding an encore.
The allure for this new band lies in a trifecta of perfect lyrics, vocal control, and performance. These songwriters have gone to great lengths to choose each work to break and mend a heart. They even make the word “home” sound like a train whistle. To top that, the delivery, both on the album and in person, is impeccable. The studio-recorded work is, of course, flawless, but amazingly, the sound on stage matches it. Williams and White know when to belt, when to hold back, and even when to step back from the mic. Often, Joy will step back and softly sing harmonies as much as five feet from the mic. The talent is in the room, and it is recognized.
The story of The Civil Wars is far from conventional. Joy Williams, who was a Christian pop singer in her younger years, met Johan Paul White (already a songwriter himself at home in Alabama) at a Nashville songwriters’ conference. They describe the process of choosing artistic partners as “a blind date,” ultimately decided by drawing straws. What these two got was magic. They have been songwriting together for several years now, and have toured for a large part of it.
The duo has recorded their first album, Barton Hollow, on a new label: Sensibility Music, founded by Joy’s husband. Being on an entirely new label has allowed The Civil Wars complete freedom and abnormal control over their recordings, and it shows. After touring for over a year without an official album (a free EP was available for download on their site), Barton Hollow dropped with unexpectedly enormous success, the title track being chosen as a free iTunes single and the album shooting to #1 on iTunes downloads for almost a week. Additionally, the album received huge critical acclaim from press such as The Washington Post, New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal. The Los Angeles Times boldly predicted in a review that “through bands such as The Civil Wars, a new music industry is born.”
Barton Hollow’s release resulted in a sold-out tour, including a stop at Boston’s Red Room 939. Previously, the band had played to a small handful of people at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. Following their headlining tour, they were asked to be the opening act for most of Adele’s US shows, later adding several UK dates as well. After performing with them, Adele wrote on her blog, “[The Civil Wars] are by far the best live band I have ever seen. They are magical and stunning. They make my heart hurt but make it a bit stronger at the same time, too!”
Watching them perform, it’s easy to see why even Adele would be impressed: Joy and John Paul exude an incredible, indescribable chemistry on-stage. It exists not only between them, but reaches out to the audience. Everyone swoons. And yet, at least officially, the two are not in love. They seem to have fooled the whole country.
Passionately singing through originals such as “Father’s Father,” “20 Years,” “Falling,” and a new one, “Oh Henry,” the couple showed off not only their vocal chops, but also their immense skill as both songwriters and performers. They entertained the audience with several covers including a truly unique take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” For a finale, they offer a song that has been instrumental in their rise to success: “Poison and Wine,” likely to break hearts, but make them a bit stronger, too.
Get a taste of the unforgettable Civil Wars by watching the “Poison and Wine” video here.
For more information, visit The Civil Wars online at www.thecivilwars.com.
(text by: Daniel Jones)
1. Otouto - Autumn:
One of my favorite bands as of late happens to be a newly formed art pop outfit from Melbourne. Ironically enough, “Autumn” was one of those songs I played religiously all summer. Now that the fall season is really here, it seems much more appropriate to chime along with singer Hazel Brown as she confesses over atonal guitars and steady, brooding drums, “I know summer’s gone”.
2. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – Check It Ooout
If you’re a hip hop enthusiast you know that the next five minutes will be nothing less than taking a stroll through a lyrical candy shop. I can’t help but think that if contemporary rap artists took a moment to sit down and spin some Del, they’d learn a thing or two about the art of the genre. So turn off the Wiz Khalifa for once (no disrespect, he’s got some cool tattoos), take a walk through the Commons, and do just what the title says.
3. Animal Collective - What Would I Want? Sky
The standout track from 2009’s aptly titled EP, “Fall Be Kind”, this gem is reminiscent of all the glory a simple day spent under the changing leaves can hold. “Sky” begins with three minutes of delicately overdriven drum breaks and unfolds into a splendidly warm second half layered with lustrous chimes and the folk pop aesthetic we love Animal Collective so fervently for crafting.
4. The Acorn – Dents
When I think of alt folk done right, I think of The Acorn. Mellow, effortless vocals over upbeat drums and delicately plucked strings make this track a must-have for any fan of the genre. “Dents” is so rich with emotion that when we hear lines like, “Dying leaves need time to fall”, we know the artist isn’t just talking about the trials of autumn.
5. Take It Back (Dillon Francis Remix) – Toddla T
Moombahton is not a yoga form for aeronauts, although that might be cool. No - it is, in fact, one of the newest subgenres to come out of the electronic music scene, and it just so happens to be pretty fun to dance to. With prolific artists like Dillon Francis flooding the web with new tracks almost weekly, you’re sure to hear moombah at least somewhere in the Bean this fall – even if it means trekking to Allston to bump and grind in a dimly lit basement. And you thought those nights were over…
6. Coachwhips – You Gonna Get It
My best friends are pretty big garageheads, and after consistently bumping my fair share of artists like Coachwhips and Ty Segall, it’s easy to see why. There’s nothing more satisfying than head-banging along to the raucous riffs of distorted guitars and the clamor of clashing symbols. If this song doesn’t remind you of being thrown head-first (gleefully, mind you) back into your dizzying college lifestyle, I don’t know what will.
7. Sensual Seduction (Snoop Dogg Cover) – MHYH
Obligatory synth pop rap cover. If it doesn’t seem de rigueur to you just yet, I suggest listening to the song. Yup. That’s a flute. And yep, this guy’s a genius. Even if you aren’t down with the D-O-Double-G (wait, who are you?) there’s little to dislike about this throbbing dance floor jam. It’s an arduous task to sift through the plethora of this year’s surfacing bedroom synth pop (especially if you’re looking for something notable) but this track is proof that MHYH is more than just a buzzworthy German solo act.
8. Blouse – Into Black
I was once instructed to listen to this song while walking through an airport. I did so and enjoyed the experience tremendously. That might have been because I was somewhere in Spain and because I really love airports. In any case, Blouse has managed to conjure up one hell of a dream pop “I-can’t-wait-til-you’re-irrelevant” anthem and it’s a tasteful one at that. “Into Black’s” infectious, steady bass line is enough to instill confidence in the heart of any Emersonian planning to take on the bitch that is the all-pervading wind current of Boylston and Tremont.
9. FYC x Gruzen – Earl Sweatshirt
I included this song because hey, it’s Odd Future. And man, guess what - this track is “unreleased”. Nah (maybe) but really, “FYC” is as smooth as they get. Perhaps it’s how agreeable the trumpets sound behind Earl’s buttery rhymes, or perhaps its just another great song to amble through the city to, but for Christ’s sake, this kid is sixteen years old and locked up somewhere in Samoa. Give him a listen!
10. tUnE-yArDs – Synonynonym
This one gives me chills. There’s something so blissfully haunting about Merrill Garbus’ softer songs, and though I can’t quite place my finger on it, I’m continually enchanted. “Synonynonym” brings me right to early September, when the air is still warm and the world seems to sit, if only for a moment, on that delicate brink of change before the green turns to gold and red.
(text and song selection by: Emily Onofrio)
What songs do you start playing as soon as the leaves start changing?
Most of the time, I simply cannot justify buying concert tickets. First, there’s the outrageous online fees, then there’s the 4 hours of standing, $10 drinks, and obnoxious 14-year-olds with their moms. I’ve just always chosen a brand new pair of shoes over that ordeal. But this semester, I’m making a concentrated effort to put all of my qualms aside and go out and see some awesome acts. Here are the top five concerts that I’m psyched about this semester and will gladly pay to see.
1) Jay –Z and Kanye West, TD Garden (Nov. 3): Watch The Throne has been an album that has had endless hype, and with new release “Otis” climbing to the top 10 of the iTunes singles chart, it seems like the hype is validated. These two artists and dynamic apart, and a fantastic explosion together. There’s no telling what kind of mind-blowing genius will go down on a live stage, but I’ll definitely be there to witness it for myself.
2) Madeleine Peyroux, Berklee Performing Space (Oct. 7): There is just something about French women that makes them endlessly cool. It’s the je ne sais quois factor that Francophiles find themselves trying to emulate. Madeleine Peyroux has that certain
something. Her voice is classic and full of history. I first heard her sing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.” It was such a gripping variation, that I was thrilled when she popped up on the “An Education” soundtrack. If baguettes and berets are your thing, definitely check her out.
3) Chromeo, House of Blues (Nov. 1): Chromeo guarantees a good time. They have catchy synth beats and hilarious lyrics, and even if you don’t listen to their music all that often, it’s still a dance party that you don’t want to miss. The Canadian duo is part hip-hop, part-electronic, part-funk and all awesome. They usually come to Boston once a year, so catch them tearing down the House of Blues ASAP, but don’t forget to bring a dance partner.
4) Blondie, Wilbur Theater (Sept. 14): Debbie Harry is classic. Her blond bob, the blue eye shadow and rock star essence is a pop culture staple. I’ve spent many a night getting glammed up to “Call Me,” the sexiest song of all time. What else would you expect from a former Playboy bunny and rock goddess? It’s a great idea for a girl’s night out pre-party.
5) Mac Miller, House of Blues (Dec. 12): Rapper Mac Miller certainly has a hold on the younger folks. I downloaded his single “Knock, Knock” as soon as I heard it, and showed it off to my 14-year-old sister. “I know this song,” she says. “I downloaded it like two months ago.” My cool older sister factor was demolished. With his enormous swag and scandalous lyrics, it’s a little shocking that at 19, he’s two years younger than me. But, hey, I’ve never been one to deny a good beat and lines like “Everything good/I’m white-boy awesome/ Up all night/ Johnny Carson.”
(text by Kimya Kavehkar)
