"This God Damn House"
This song was written by Dan Lefkowitz, a former member of the band. He wrote it just before leaving the band, and now lives in a yurt in the ozark mountains. Another former member of the band, Cy Scofield, lives on a yoga retreat community in rural maine.
The Low Anthem
I have a Wilco bootleg from 2002 where Jeff Tweedy introduces the crowd to the term "snoozin'". His definition is a positive one - a term of approval, it seems - and it was in regards to his bands more mellow turn during those years. Ever the comedian, Tweedy urges the crowd to adopt the term into their everyday vernacular: "Yes, thank you... that was very snoozin'... no, it's a good thing... the kids are gonna be saying it soon. Snoozin'. On the street. Try it out. If you like something, then it's snoozin'. If anyone you know does something you approve of, tell them it's snoozin'... tell 'em you think they're drowsy."
The Low Anthem, then? Definitely snoozin'... very drowsy, all the while towing a wagon full of old stringed instruments, discolored brass, the odd pump organ, and "enough harmonicas to summon a swarm of locusts". Their sound borrows delicate bits from classic, pre-rock American music: southern folk, Black spiritual hymns, jump blues, boogie-woogie, etc. These bits swell up and pop in to create a stark, though strangely lush at times, canvas for their melodic folk tunes.
Ben, Jeff & Jocie came by Lake Fever while in town for their set at local snooze bar The Basement. For those of you here in Nashville, make note that they'll be back here on Nov 5th, this time at Mercy Lounge with Blind Pilot. Consider these videos a tease, and come get drowsy with them in November.
Enjoy!
-Joe Baine Colvert