Oldham had specified that the purpose of the pseudonym, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, is to provide a relationship that both the performer and the audience can attach themselves to. Before Oldham was performing music, he was acting in films. His first feature film performance was acting in John Sayles’ critically acclaimed movie “Matewan”, which was released in 1987. By 1993 Oldham was starting to perform his music under several variations of the Palace name. From 1993 to 1997 his music was released under the names: the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music. In 1998 Oldham adopted the name Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy to start releasing music.
Under the Palace name he released his debut album “There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You” in 1993, which contained contributions by several members of the Louisville indie rock band Slint. The album was released under the Chicago-based independent record label Drag City, which has released many other notable artists’ records such as Bill Callahan, Loose Fur, Joanna Newsom, and Pavement. The album consisted of all original material except for a cover of Washington Phillips’ song “I Had a Good Mother and Father”. In 1995 Oldham released the album “Viva Last Blues”, which was recorded by Steve Albini from Big Black. Jason Loewenstein from Sebadoh contributed to the album and it was considered one of the best albums of the 1990s by Pitchfork. Steve Albini would also go onto record Oldham’s next album “Arise Therefore”.
In 1999 Oldham would release his first album under the moniker Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy titled “I See a Darkness”. The album depicted Oldham’s DIY punk ethic applied to folk music. Oldham’s music has been described in a variety of genres including Americana, roots, folk, punk, and indie rock. Journalist Chris Baldwin has gone as far to call Oldham an “Appalachian post-punk solipsist”. “I See a Darkness” has received a vast amount of critical acclaim. Pitchfork has ranked the album the ninth best album of the 1990s and Mojo has ranked the album the 20th best album of all time. Johnny Cash covered the title track on his album “American III: Solitary Man” and Steve Adey recorded the title track on his album “All Things Real”.
In 2001 Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy released the album “Ease Down the Road” and in 2003 he released the album “Master and Everyone”. His 2006 album “The Letting Go” was recorded in Iceland by notable producer Valgeir Sigur∂sson, who has produced many of Björk’s albums. The album also consisted of arrangements done by modern classical musician Nico Muhly. The album takes its name from a poem by Emily Dickinson. The album consists of the popular songs “Strange Form of Life”, “Cursed Sleep”, and “Lay and Love”.
In 2008 Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy released the critically acclaimed album “Lie Down in the Light”. In 2009 Oldham released the album “Beware”, which contained appearances by several guest musicians such as Leroy Bach, Jon Langford, and Greg Leisz. In 2011 Oldham released the album “Wolfroy Goes to Town” with his backing band, which consisted of Emmett Kelly and Angel Olsen. Oldham has also collaborated on albums with bands like Tortoise and the Cairo Gang.
Oldham is also known for his work as a photographer. He is notable for taking the black and white photo of Slint on their 1991 album “Spiderland”. Oldham has also starred in several well-regarded films such as “Old Joy”, “Wendy and Lucy”, and “New Jerusalem”.
Will Oldham, a.k.a. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, is a true folk troubadour. He has a haunting voice that sings to the beautiful sounds of American folk music he creates. His performance and music convey his strong sense of do-it-yourself ethics, which adds a true sincerity to what he does.
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy sometimes performs alone with just his acoustic guitar when he goes on tour. This usually creates a more intimate performance, which allows his audience to have a more personal connection with his music. Will Oldham has also been known to tour with a backing band that performs with acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano, and drums. His backing band usually creates a larger, more atmospheric sound that enhances the emotion of Will Oldham’s performance rather than take away from it. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s music is usually slow in tempo, but his music and lyrics have a deep sensibility about them, which strongly resonates with the audience. Will Oldham’s voice is often raspy and ragged giving off an old pioneer kind of vibe, but it is delivered with such delicacy that it sinks deep into the souls that hear it.
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s music seems like it is coming from a loner with an old weary soul, but somehow everyone can relate to the music. He is not afraid to let his guard down and tell you what he really thinks, and this kind of sincerity is respectable and inspiring.
Although most of the performance is usually presented in a stripped down and bare-bones kind of manner, there never seems to be dull moment, and the audience always seems to be totally engrossed in the performance.
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