Concerts, tours of Europe, recordings, television appearances, press interviews, awards shows — is it any wonder that some musicians who are thrust into the spotlight often say they feel as if they’re caught in a hurricane?
That could have been the case with the Civil Wars, a Nashville-based duo that released an album just 18 months after their first meeting. It zoomed to No. 1 on the charts without major-label support. Is it any wonder the organizers of the recent Americana Music Festival in Nashville asked the duo to discuss how they did it? Our question is more basic — how do they keep it together during this whirlwind?
“Where we are is actually, literally, where we are,” said John Paul White, one half of the hot alt-country folk duo. “It really all can get overwhelming.”
| Onstage |
| The Civil Wars |
| When: 8 p.m. Sunday |
| Where: The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW |
| Info: $30; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com |
Yet White and musical partner Joy Williams’ ability to stay balanced is perhaps another sign that their sonic partnership was meant to be. The two until-then independent singer-songwriters joined forces after reluctantly meeting at the prompting of their respective song publishers. Not only did creative magic spark, but the two almost immediately used it to write what would become red-hot alt-country tunes. Their 2011 debut album. “Barton Hollow,’ has sold more than 150,000 copies. That follows the chart topping success of their 2009 EP, “Poison & Wine.” And the love fest is only just beginning.
The two are something of an example of how opposites attract. White grew up in Alabama listening to his dad’s country records and plenty of ’80s and ’90s rock. The California-bred Williams was raised on music that had pop-based sounds and harmonies such as from the Beach Boys.
Take those two divergent talents and put them in Nashville. In this case, anyway, the result is musical magic.
The duo is charmingly modest about their newfound fame and the attention that has resulted in recent collaborations on as-yet-unnamed projects with famed producers T-Bone Burnett and Rick Rubin.
“The first time [the song] ‘Poison & Wine’ was on [the television show] ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ I could hardly stand still, I was so excited,” said Williams. “Those are the moments that feel surreal. I mean, my grandmother could see this if she clicked on the channel. I feel such gratitude, I almost can’t believe this.”
