The Civil Wars
Feb 14, 2011
Nashville-based The Civil Wars - California-born Joy Williams and Alabamian John Paul White - have been building a solid fan base the old-fashioned way by constant touring and positive press. Along the way they have had their music exposed on TV via shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and garnered endorsements from fellow musicians such as Taylor Swift!
Their music is decidedly acoustic-based, but with their attention to lyrical phrasing and heavenly harmonies, they create a sound that is both original and infectious. Their sound is stripped down, to be sure, but the instrumentation they employ complements their sound beautifully. The two met during a songwriters camp in 2008, and simply hit if off together creatively. Within a few months they were writing regularly together and not long after performing as a duo.
"A lot of people think that we're married, and I think that's actually quite flattering to be honest," said White. "Because we don't want people to think that we're up here acting and feigning the emotions that we write and sing about and show on stage. But one of the things that really make this special in our eyes is that if she and I were in a relationship together, it'd be a totally different act."
The songs on their debut album, "Barton Hollow" -- produced by Charlie Peacock -- are haunting and beautiful. In addition to the lead-off track, "Poison & Wine," pay attention to the title track, "20 Years," "To Whom it May Concern," "Girl with the Red Balloon" and "My Father's Father."
"After all the writing I've done for other artists or writing for TV/film or solo music," says Williams, "the ability for John Paul and I to share stories of what's happened in our lives, either current or past, and let those inform the way that we write intrinsically makes us care more about it."
The Civil Wars are currently on an extensive tour including several in-store appearances as well as a handful of performances at SXSW. They have been chosen as "Best of What's Next" by Paste Magazine.
- 2/15 Joe's Pub, New York
- 2/17 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
- 2/18 Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2, New York
- 2/19 Red Room at Cafe 939, Boston)
- 2/22 The Pilot Light, Knoxville
- 3/9 The Blue Door, Oklahoma City
- 3/10 Monks Coffee Shop, Abilene
- 2/11-12 AllGood Café, Dallas
- 3/13 35 Conferette, Denton, TX
- 3/14 Common Grounds, Waco
- 3/15-18 SXSW, Austin
- 3/19 Mucky Duck, Houston
- 3/21 One-Eyed Jacks, New Orleans
- 3/22 Underground 119, Jackson, MS
- 3/25 Standard Deluxe, Wavorly, AL
- 3/30 Headliners, Louisville
- 3/31 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati
- 4/1 Musica, Akron, OH
- 4/2 Club Café, Pittsburgh
- 4/3 The Ark, Ann Arbor
- 4/5-6 El Mocambo, Toronto
- 4/8 Calvin College, Grand Rapids
- 4/9 Pike Room at The Crofoot, Pontiac, MI
- 4/11-12 Schubas, Chicago
- 4/16 The Mill, Iowa City
- 4/17-18 Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis
- 4/21 The Maintenance Shop, Ames, IA
- 4/22 The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
- 4/23 Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO
