I'm not shy about how much I love The Wooden Sky. Afterall, they channel influences that mirror my own iTunes library. At their center is folk music in the tradition of Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, but they pull inspiration from the sharp wit of Elvis Costello and Jonathan Richman, the classic rock of Tom Petty and a penchant for ethereal, meandering jams. Their latest (highly recommended) album Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Son is one of my favorites of the year - and shows a clear progression of the band's sound towards more nuanced songwriting and arrangements.
The last time The Wooden Sky were in town they played one of my favorite shows of 2011 (you can relive the show here). Do yourself a favor and go see this band live. They play at Radio in Somerville TONIGHT 8pm - $10 (at the door, $8 in advance)
Here are some videos from the intimate Kitchen Sessions show the band played last time they were in town:
As part of the partnership between Kitchen Sessions and Visible Voice, we'll be digging back into the KS archives and pulling out some of our favorite audio and video from past house shows. This is the first in what we hope will be a series of monthly installments - and it features some incredible stuff. Enjoy - and please let us know what you think in the comments.
KS #18: The Wooden Sky
The Wooden Sky is one of my favorite bands in the world, and I've made no secret of that fact over the past few months. Gavin Gardiner's songs are so finely crafted, and the band so adept at conveying a feeling through music. But what's so great about this band is that they can pull off an echo-drenched jam or a banjo-folk shuffle, a whisper-quiet folk tune or a stomping call-to-arms. Or, for example, "Malibu Rum" from their fantastic new record Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon A Sun - a melancholy lament set against a breezy coconut-scented melody - perfectly evocative. (website)
KS#21: Swear and Shake
I discovered Swear and Shake by accident, but I fell in love immediately. I was at the BOMB festival in Hartford and was on my way between stages when they caught my ear. A song or two later I was convinced I had to book them for the Newport Nightcap afterparty - which they agreed to do. Kari Spieler's voice is other-worldly, and the band's mix of indie folk and pop is irresistible. I am anxiously awaiting their debut LP, which will include "These White Walls". This video in particular really captures the spirit of Kitchen Sessions - great music in an intimate space. (website)
KS #1: David Wax Museum This set pre-dates the Kitchen Sessions name - and in many ways it inspired what Steve and company have done since. I was lucky enough to be there that night - a cold, rainy, miserable night in March 2010. I didn't know David Wax Museum at all, but I left a lifelong fan. Hearing these songs - many of which would not be released until nearly a year later on Everything is Saved - was a revelation. This was pre-Newport Folk, pre-NPR Music...just four incredible musicians playing to a room full of strangers and blowing away every single one of them away. House shows like these were the bricks in the foundation on which they continue to build greater and greater success. (website)
David Wax Museum Kitchen Session #1 March 30, 2010
The Wooden Sky's fantastic new album Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun is out today, and to celebrate we have one hell of a giveaway! The band stopped by the Kitchen Sessions house last November for a memorable show - but in their rush to get back to their Canadian homeland, they forgot to pack up their merch table. Seriously, they left one of everything:
If I Don't Come Home, You'll Know I'm Gone (CD+Vinyl) The Wooden Sky (CD+Vinyl) Bedrooms + Backstreets EP (CD) City of Light EP (Cassette) Tank Top (Mens Large)
Steve offered to mail it all back to them, but they graciously suggested that he give it all away to fans - that's where you come in. One lucky winner is going to win the ENTIRE package.
I've fallen into a rut lately, and that has manifested itself as a lack of variety here on VV and in the social firehose that is twitter and facebook. Over the past couple months I've heaped a ton of gushing praise onto two artists in particular: The Wooden Sky and Conrad Plymouth. Both bands have new albums coming out in 2012, and I couldn't be more freaking stoked.
Knowing that I need to use some discretion with how much I write about these bands, for fear of alienating any readers that aren't quite as obsessed as I am, I'll just combine a few bits of information into a single post.
The Wooden Sky just released "Child Of The Valley" the first track off their upcoming LP Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun. It's great, as you would expect - starting as a gently-strummed folk tune and swelling to a crescendo that recalls a grittier Fleet Foxes.
We also have a Facebook campaign to get the band booked at Newport Folk in 2012...if you hear the above song and don't think it would sound sublime echoing across Newport Harbor, please leave this site immediately (not really). But if you do agree, go here to show your support for our campaign. Here's hoping we'll see these guys at Newport in July.
In other news... Kitchen Sessions shot a video of The Wooden Sky performing "Take Me Out" off their recent EP on a porch in Somerville. The video was featured in Paste Magazine's mPlayer...check it out below, and check back from more videos from their house show that day.
Conrad Plymouth is hard at work recording their debut LP with the help of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. I am obsessed with this band, and can't wait to hear the end result. In the meantime I wanted to share this great live video of "Fergus Falls" off their stellar 2010 EP.
The Wooden Sky have certainly found the holiday spirit. First they hosted their second annual, sold-out "Holiday Reveue" benefit show with Nils Edenloff of The Rural Alberta Advantage. Now they're back with a cover of Tom Petty's "Christmas All Over Again" for The Line Of Best Fit's Ho Ho Ho Canada III compilation.
One of my motivations in starting VV almost two years ago was to share live recordings from some of my favorite bands. Growing up I would collect as many bootlegs as I could - from Dylan to Springsteen to The Replacements to Ryan Adams - and there's something magical about capturing the intensity and intimacy of a live performance. Especially if it's a souvenir of a show you saw live. Here are the five most popular live recordings we shared in 2011...
"As a perfectly-sloppy version of "Twist and Shout" capped-off over three hours of music, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be able to see this band live."
"The reason I started Visible Voice was to share the music that I believe in, and there is no better example than They Wooden Sky. A sold out Lizard Lounge is a start, but they are are destined for much bigger things"
"At times I was taken aback by the response, and the band seemed genuinely surprised as well. In any case, I've never seen a crowd at Royale so enthusiastic"
"As Aly Spaltro bared her soul to a room full of strangers, we exchanged knowing glances and eyebrow raises - we were witnessing something pretty special. A jawdropping set from a rising star."
The last time The Wooden Sky played Boston was a mid-week set at an empty Rosebud in Somerville. For most in attendance that night, the music was just a soundtrack to another night of High Lifes and Keno, but for me it was a revelation. You see, about a week earlier I had discovered the band's most recent album If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone, a record that captivated me in a way that no record had in a long time. It is at the same time instantly accessible yet worthy of the countless spins I've given it. Simple, timeless folk, sweeping crescendos and classic rock swagger filtere through an indie rock lens. If there was ever a band tailored perfectly to my tastes, it is The Wooden Sky. The band's performance that night, to an empty bar, cemented a lot for me. For them to play their hearts out the way they did proved beyond a doubt that these guys were the real deal. I think that night I may have tweeted something along the lines of "I've seen the future of rock n' roll..." -- highly original, right? But it was from the heart.
The turnout for the band's sold out Lizard Lounge show this past weekend in Cambridge undoubtedly had a lot more to do with the fact that it was a Friday night at a better venue than my breathless pontificating, but nevertheless it was satisfying to see Boston come out and support these guys.
The show opened with "When Lost At Sea" off the band's debut LP of the same name. From there, the setlist traversed the band's catalogue, drawing heavily from If I Don't Come Home, You Know I'm Gone as well as their recent digital/cassette City of Light EP and a few brand new songs. Each release has seen the band expanding their sound - 2007's When Lost At Sea treads mostly in traditional folk and rock territory, while 2009's If I Don't Come Home, You'll Know I'm Gone shows a bit more sonic experimentation and more nuanced arrangements. The new EP sees the band expanding the pallette further - "Take Me Out" is a doo-wop inspired gem, and the title track showcases a touch of atmospherics that hint promisingly at the future.
I've rarely seen a band so in the pocket, versatile and confident as The Wooden Sky are on stage. They give the impression of hardened road veterans - and after playing together for 8 years, I guess that's true. Still, it's impressive to see them effortlessly change dynamics and styles from hushed country-folk harmonies to guitar-driven, reverb-drenched jams and, what the hell, a spot-on Nirvana cover. This was without question one of the best shows I've seen all year. The reason I started Visible Voice was to share the music that I believe in, and there is no better example than They Wooden Sky. A sold out Lizard Lounge is a start, but they are are destined for much bigger things - it's just a matter of time.
We recorded the entire set in fantastic sound quality - stream/download below. Huge thanks to the Lizard Lounge for accommodating us and for The Wooden Sky for letting us share this with you all. If you dig what you hear, please support The Wooden Sky by 1) telling your friends and 2) buying their music.
The Wooden Sky Lizard Lounge - Cambridge, MA November 11, 2011
It's hard for me to write about these guys without it devolving into gushing hyperbole...trust me, it's really unattractive. So, let me keep it brief. The Wooden Sky is probably my favorite band, and if you're a fan of The Head And The Heart, Dawes, Delta Spirit or [insert indie folk darling here], you owe it to yourself to be at their show at Lizard Lounge on Friday night. If Visible Voice is responsible for introducing you to just one new band, or getting you out to just one show - I hope it's The Wooden Sky and their show this Friday. Get tickets here
The Wooden Sky - Something Hiding For Us In The Night
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 7:41AM 
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