Contrary to their name, the folk-pop duo the Civil Wars are by no means divided. In fact, Joy Williams and John Paul White are hypnotically in sync, captivating a sold out Berklee Performance Center on Friday, October 28th.
While it has been a busy year for Williams and White, they remain humbled by their sudden publicity. The duo met at a songwriting session three years ago and released a live recording for free online which received over 300,000 downloads. Not to mention, their first studio album “Barton Hollow” dropped this past February, earning them a spot on six shows of Adele’s 2011 North American tour.
The Civil Wars maintain a simple and intimate stage presence (they share the stage with only a guitar and piano) while still creating an incredibly full sound. Songs like “20 Years” and “To Whom it May Concern” feature sweet acoustic harmonies, while “Poison & Wine” is a continuous, emotional swell. Their album’s title track “Barton Hollow” showcases southern roots, giving the duo a chance to “bring the swamp up north.” Clad in classy black and white, Williams bounces and sways to White’s guitar chords. They interact like brother and sister, casually joking with the audience over an accidently-broken guitar string, but also radiating with respect for one another.
By popular demand, they include a sultry and playful version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” to their set. (White joked that they used to play many covers since they didn’t have enough original songs fill an opening set. Now, fans become anxious when they don’t hear any MJ!)
No matter what song, Williams and White visibly feel every lyric. They thread simple themes of love and loss with layers of harmony and a bit of southern twang, exemplifying a new type of folk. This explains why the two recently received the Vanguard Award at the 49th Annual Country Music Awards, historically given to musicians reshaping the future of American music. Judging by their record sales, and delightful presence, the Civil Wars are rewriting folk history.
By: Ali Weltman, Intern Director and DJ of Friends Don’t Let Friends Be Hipsters