What happens when a “chance meeting” brings together a California gal (Joy Williams) and an Alabama guy (John Paul White)? Well, last Friday, let’s just say it took me all of three minutes and forty one seconds to decide that I have a new favorite duo: Williams and White of The Civil Wars. One listen … Read more
Feature interview by Jason Gonulsen “It was intentional on my part,” Joy Williams tells me via phone from Venice Beach, California, where she now lives part-time with her husband (and manager), Nate Yetton, and son, Miles. “I felt like it was important to start where I left off, and I’m glad that I did.” Williams … Read more
I am a universe wrapped in skin Joy Williams is back, and after listening to her first single post-Civil Wars breakup, it appears she’s confident and not dwelling on the past. This is more rhythmic than anything she’s done in the past — I even think it’s fair to say that it’s a complete 180 … Read more
Welcome to our favorite Speakers in Code list of the year. The 10 Best Sad Bastard Songs of 2015. It’s our highest honor. In years past (2012, 2013, 2014), we’ve chosen 20 songs, but this year we’re trimming the sad. And this year, I wrote about every song. You can listen to each individually below, … Read more
Joy Williams recently told the Associated Press, “If you want to know what happened to the band, listen to the album.” The album is The Civil Wars, the sophomore self-titled release by Williams and John Paul White, a duo, who, as you might have read, are not currently on speaking terms. The language used by … Read more
Photo by Allister Ann Let me in the walls you’ve built around We can light a match and burn them down NPR called it an “ode to the end,” but I’m not so sure about that. I like to think of it as a new beginning, one that happens in the moments after you realize … Read more
Photo by Louis Kwok Go far away Staying vs. leaving. I understand both choices, or at least I think I do. In The Civil Wars’ case, we don’t really know what is up. But words like “internal discord” and “irreconcilable differences” usually don’t point to something healthy. That’s a lot of smoke. Whatever the case … Read more
I don’t love you, but I always will. It’s the lyric that Joy Williams and John Paul White of The Civil Wars will never escape. The stabbing lyric at the heart of their breakthrough song, “Poison and Wine.” The one moment where truth bites beautifully and leaves an immediate scar. It’s the lyric that you … Read more