Artist Review : The Civil Wars

What happens when California pop collides with folk rock Alabama? Hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing harmonies of The Civil Wars. They are musical detox for the over synthesized ears that today's over saturated market currently brings. Singer/ Songwriter Joy Williams and artist songwriter John Paul White make up the remarkably talented duo that is The Civil Wars. Officially the two teamed up in February of 2009 and have been playing intimate settings across the U.S. California native Joy Williams has been in the music industry since 2000. She and her husband, Nate Yetton, started their own label/ management firm in 2008- Sensibility Music ( where Joy and The Civil Wars are both signed) -Joy has released three records  and has a new record due April 2010. She also has received 11 Dove Award nominations. Her songs “Charmed Life”, “Speaking a Dead Language” and “Sunny Day” have been in episodes of the hit ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy which is where I originally heard “Poison and Wine” the Civil Wars' debut single . See that video HERE
Alabama boy, and Johnny Depp look-a-like, John Paul White the other half of this amazing act released his solo album “ The Long Goodbye” ( featuring, “Alien”, “Over My Head”) in August 2008. John Paul White also has co-written songs for Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Jason Aldean among others. Joy and John Paul met at a music writing camp in TN a little over a year and a half ago and immediately found their niche with each other. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and comes through in their music. The Civil Wars released their first EP in November 2009 “Poison and Wine” and I along with so many countless others were captivated. Perhaps it's because so many of us can identify with the song, or maybe they saw the video and was moved by it's simplistic beauty, one thing is certain- The Civil Wars had tapped into something and left us wanting more!

Interview: Halie Loren

Whitney:  "They Oughta Write A Song" is an excellent well rounded vocal jazz album, How Did you go about choosing the collection of standards that are on there?

Halie: Thank you!  I'm so glad you enjoy it... and thanks for asking me to participate in your blog!  It's a pleasure.

The standards that are featured on "They Oughta Write a Song" were chosen for a variety of reasons... some of the songs are ones that I have been performing for many years, and felt like natural fits for me vocally and for the musicians that are featured on the album.  "Summertime", for example, is a song that I've been performing since I was 12 years old, and is one that I've loved singing from that first performance of the song (which was at the Spring Recital assembly at my middle school in Sitka, Alaska).  For me, it was included for its nostalgic value as much as anything... and I thought it fit well in the context of the rest of the album.