Profiling:The Many Moods (and Names) of Will Oldham

"If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work."
Jacques Cousteau

In some cases the music, hell, the entire artistic output of Will Oldham could be thought of as both bleak and logical. When Oldham sings, "God bless the chaos, I'm ready to go...," in the song "Joya," it would seem as if there was one interpretation of the wordage by this man of many monikers (Bonnie Prince Billy, Palace, Palace Songs, etc.) and would lead you to a grim conclusion. However, if one has paid attention to Oldham for over the years, you have realized that the man is much more than a talented misanthrope. His lyrics convey an admittance to the drudgery of the day to day, but also acknowledge the simple joys and wonders of life. When word came that this October, Oldham (as Prince Billy) will release the live album, Is It The Sea, in the UK on Domino, I began to muse over the works that have defined Oldham's fifteen year career thus far.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy- I See a Darkness - 1999

It would be almost impossible to not put this at the top of a list such as this. The first album recorded under the Bonnie "Prince" Billy name is by far Oldham's greatest achievement. While at this point, it is nearly impossible to find words that have not already been said (Pitchfork gave it a 10.0, think of all the words they probably used!) it must be said that this is not only the greatest album of Oldhams career, but one of the finest of the last 25 years.




The cover photo for the Slint album Spiderland, 1991

As far as the term "iconic" can go for 1990's rock, this photo ranks up there with Spike Jonez videos, Matt Pinfield and slacking. Who took it? Mr. Will Oldham took it. That's who.




Bonnie "Prince" Billy with Matt Sweeny- Superwolf- Drag City 2005

In the new millennium Oldham has been nothing short of the most prolific musician around. At some point you would think the guy would show signs of slowing down. Prior to his misunderstood 2006 collaboration with Tortoise, Oldham teamed up with Matt Sweeny, an artist who has made teaming up with other artists (Billy Corgan in Zwan, in the band Chavez, producing Early Man, and as Neil Diamond's guitarist, among many others) his hallmark.
The guitar work of Sweeny fills gaps that would usually be left empty in B.P.P albums. Earth-like tones (the band, not the planet) play over
songs like "Beast for Thee" and "Blood Embrace" finding Will once again trying to chase down the dark muse he has been trying to impress for the last 15 years.





"Can't Tell Me Nothin"- Kanye West video W/Zack Galifianakis

If you haven't seen it before, Oldham and comedian Galifianakis doing their take on the Chicago rapper's video, it is well worth your while (see below).




Old Joy- 2006 film

While Oldham has had a strange flirtation with the film industry.
From playing the father of Baby Jessica alongside Beau Bridges and Patty Duke(!) in 1989's made for t.v. movie, Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Baby Jessica, to a bit part in the Harmony Korine film Julien Donkey-Boy in 1999. It's the 2006 film Old Joy that has best defined Oldham the actor.

One could call it a minimalist take on growing up and growing apart from the friends and the times you once shared. Or maybe it's a commentary on alienation in a post 9/11 world? Whatever the case, Oldham in the role of carefree/stoner friend Kurt is well-played and creates the perfect guilty feeling for Daniel London's character, Mark (as well as the viewer), a man faced with fatherhood, trying to find stability in a turbulent world. All this is set to a stunning soundtrack woven together by Yo La Tengo.


Will Oldham- Guarapero/Lost Blues 2 Drag City 2000

A strange and fragmented collection of live and unreleased songs. Pitchfork liked it and they compared it to to "The Collected Letters of Emily Dickenson." The poetry connection continues with Oldham singing a D.H. Lawrence poem over a sparse drum beat that almost almost makes you think you are hearing some warped karaoke version of "Take my Breath Away." Spirited version of Bon Scott-era AC/DC staple, "Big Balls" and the Oldamized (term now owned by Hex Ed.) Lynard Skynard track "Every Mothers Son" are also tackled, proof that even scraps from Oldham's table are tastier than full meals at others.


Palace Brothers- There is no-one what will take care of you
Drag City 1993

The world formally being introduced to Palace Brothers in the early days of Drag City Records, (as well as most indie-rock culture), this one must have caused quite a few head scratches.
A Sparse almost otherworldly creepiness like this could not have been easily understood with one listen. It would take the next fifteen years to really put the puzzle together

Lyrically, Oldham is nothing short of a beast.
"(I was drunk at the) Pulpit":

"Let them abstain on unbucking high horses,
poor wooden structures which merely eye courses ,
that these log heads run just to find some respite
in the whiskey-induced holy unending night."