Bound to the Voracity of the Moment

Unknown to the followers of mainstream music, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy has been one of indie music’s best kept secrets since the early 90’s. Recording under the moniker Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy for a majority of his recent albums, the singer-songwriter and his band of four have embarked on a three month tour covering North America and Europe. Truly reflective of his desire to connect with the audience, Billy has scheduled a last minute show for Friday, March 20 at the Aquarium alongside Pillars and Tongues, starting at seven.

Billy, whose real name is Will Oldham, has been winning fans over under the Chicago label Drag City since 1992. His lyrics are simple and are meant to evoke the best connection with the listener as they draw links between the song and their own personal experiences. Whether he is describing death, offering moments of self-reflection, or telling a story, Billy’s descriptive abilities stem from his interest in the human condition.

When asked if he draws inspiration simply from observing people, Billy responded, “I always wonder about people’s motivations and directions. People that I see, how did they get to the spot that they are standing on in the street? I just, I feel also kind of bound to the voracity of the moment.”

His voice, which ranges from ghostly soft to well assured, occasionally cracks and quivers, fully enhancing his sound that has been described as grass roots, blues, Americana, folk, and even country. Accompanied by backup vocals, strings, and percussion, Billy’s musical creations include soaring harmonies reminiscent of his Louisville, KY roots. Currently being compared to prolific artists such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young, Billy experienced the ultimate compliment when Johnny Cash covered his song “I See A Darkness” for his 2000 album American III: Solitary Man.

Billy’s most recent album, Beware—released St. Patrick’s Day, 2009—continues his growth as the artist Will Oldham and as the performer Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy. When discussing the new release, Billy said, “It’s its own moment.”

It may seem like an over-simplified way to describe an album, but it is that mindset that makes him one of the most influential and revolutionary musicians today. Viewing each album as independent from the others reflects the unique labor that goes into creating each. Beware, recorded in Chicago, includes one of Billy’s most structured gangs of musicians. In contrast, The Letting Go, which was highly acclaimed for sweeping string landscapes, was recorded in Iceland after collaborating with Bjork.

In addition to his personal works, Billy has collaborated with multiple artists on a variety of projects. Besides landing a cameo in R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” as a cop, Billy has also appeared on MTV2’s “Wonder Showzen.” The singer-songwriter also rapped and “shook-it” alongside Zach Galifianakis in a farm-themed music video set to Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”

Occasionally surprising live audiences with impromptu songs such as “Little Houses” from Showtime’s “Weeds,” Billy also carries a unique stage presence characterized by, but not limited to, body swaying, leg lifting, head bopping, and arm waving.

Even without the mysterious onstage persona of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Will Oldham is truly a captivating musician who enjoys the simple pleasure of playing music for a crowd, no matter what size. “I like playing. There is a certain freedom in playing smaller shows to less people. You feel you have a greater chance at having a connection to everybody that’s there.”

Placed among multiple sold-out shows across the country, Friday will be a golden opportunity for fans and new listeners alike to enjoy the musicianship of Will Oldham as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.