Will Oldham
Background information
Birth name	William Oldham
Also known as	Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Born	December 24, 1970 (1970-12-24) (age 36)
Origin	Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Genre(s)	Singer-songwriter, folk, country
Years active	1993–present
Label(s)	Drag City
Website	www.bonnieprincebilly.com

Will Oldham, a.k.a. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (born 24 December 1970 in Louisville, Kentucky), is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. Prior to adopting his current moniker, he performed and recorded under various permutations of the Palace name, including Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music (1993-1997). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Louisville” redirects here. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... American folk music, also known as Americana, is a broad category of music including Native American music, Bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Tejano and Cajun. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Drag City is a Chicago, Illinois based independent record label. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Louisville” redirects here. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... A moniker (or monicker) is a pseudonym, or cognomen, which one gives to oneself. ...

Music

Will Oldham is known for his "do-it-yourself punk aesthetic and blunt honesty,"^[1] and his music has been likened to Americana, folk, roots, country, punk, and indie rock, although Oldham is dissatisfied with each of these labels: "I don’t think it’s roots music, though it’s definitely influenced by Western popular music."^[2] He has been called an "Appalachian post-punk solipsist"^[1] and is notable for "his unique voice--a fragile sort-of warble frittering around haunted melodies in the American folk or country tradition."^[1] Americana is a loose subset of American roots music, that is perhaps best defined as classic American music—ranging in style from folk, country blues, bluegrass, alternative country, rockabilly, neotraditional and roots rock. ... American folk music, also known as Americana, is a broad category of music including Native American music, Bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Tejano and Cajun. ... Traditional Music is a quasi-synonym for folk music. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Punk Rock is an anti-establishment music movement that began about 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified by The Ramones,the Misfits, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ...

Producer Steve Albini commented on Oldham's approach to recording: Steve Albini (born July 22, 1962, Pasadena, California) is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. ...

Will Oldham first performed and recorded under various permutations of the Palace name, including Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, Palace Music, and simply Palace. Regarding the name changes during this period (1993-1997), Oldham said:

Beginning in 1998, Oldham has primarily used the moniker Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, which draws inspiration from several sources:

Oldham has explained that "the primary purpose of the pseudonym is to allow both the audience and the performer to have a relationship with the performed that is valid and unbreakable."^[3] For the U.S. politician, see Charles E. Stuart Bonnie Prince Charlie Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir Stuart (December 31, 1720 – January 31, 1788), was the exiled claimant to the thrones of Ireland, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Charles was the son of James Francis Edward Stuart, the... Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965) was a popular American singer, songwriter, and jazz pianist. ... For other uses, see Billy the Kid (disambiguation). ...

Discography

Main article: Will Oldham discography

• There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You - Palace Brothers (1993)
• Days in the Wake - Palace Brothers(1994)
• Viva Last Blues - Palace Music (1995)
• Arise Therefore - Palace (1996)
• Joya - Will Oldham (1997)
• I See a Darkness - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (1999)
• Ease Down the Road - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2001)
• Master and Everyone - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2003)
• Sings Greatest Palace Music - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2004)
• The Letting Go - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2006)

This is a listing of the recordings by Will Oldham. ... There Is No-One What Will Take Care Of You is the name of the first album by Will Oldham. ... Days in the Wake is the name of a 1994 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Palace Brothers. ... Viva Last Blues is the name of a 1995 album by Will Oldham, released under the moniker Palace Music. ... Arise Therefore is the name of a 1996 album by Will Oldham, released under the moniker Palace Music. ... Joya is the fifth album by Will Oldham, released in 1997 on Drag City Records. ... I See a Darkness is the name of a 1999 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ... Ease Down the Road is the name of the 2001 sophomore album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ... Master And Everyone is the name of a 2003 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ... Bonnie Prince Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music is the name of a 2004 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy, on which Oldham covers songs of some of his older albums. ... The Letting Go is the name of a 2006 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ...

Response

Will Oldham's music has received considerable critical praise, with some of his albums even appearing on greatest albums lists, such as There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You (1993),^[4] Viva Last Blues (1995),^[5] and I See a Darkness (1999).^[6][7][8] There Is No-One What Will Take Care Of You is the name of the first album by Will Oldham. ... Viva Last Blues is the name of a 1995 album by Will Oldham, released under the moniker Palace Music. ... I See a Darkness is the name of a 1999 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ...

Collaborations

Will Oldham has often collaborated with other musicians on various recording projects; for example, The Continental Op with David Pajo, and the Amalgamated Sons of Rest with Alasdair Roberts and Jason Molina.^[9] He also regularly works with his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham. David Pajo is an alternative rock musician. ... Amalgamated Sons of Rest is the name of a one-off project by American songwriters Will Oldham and Jason Molina, along with Scottish colleague Alasdair Roberts. ... Alasdair Roberts Alasdair Roberts is a Scottish folk musician. ... Jason Molina is an American singer-songwriter, originally from Lorain, Ohio. ...

Superwolf was released in 2005, which was a collaborative album featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (lyrics) and Matt Sweeney (music). The following year, Oldham recorded an cover album with post-rock band Tortoise entitled The Brave and the Bold. Superwolf is the name of a 2005 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy in collaboration with Matt Sweeney. ... Matt Sweeney is a guitarist/vocalist who has played in various groups, including 90s bands Skunk and Chavez. ... Tortoise, an instrumental rock band, formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1990. ... The Brave and the Bold is an album by Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy, released in 2006. ...

Johnny Cash's American III: Solitary Man (2000) included a recording of Will Oldham's "I See A Darkness" (from the album of the same name), for which Oldham provided background vocals. It has been suggested that Johnny Cash family be merged into this article or section. ... I See a Darkness is the name of a 1999 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy. ...

In 2007, he appeared in the new, alternative video for Kanye West's song "Can't Tell Me Nothing", released on West's Web site, made by (and featuring) Zach Galifianakis. Kanye Omari West (pronounced /kɑn. ... Cant Tell Me Nothing is the first single from Kanye Wests upcoming album Graduation. ... Zach Galifianakis with singer Fiona Apple in the music video for her single Not About Love (2006). ...

Tributes

• The song "Harm of Will" from Björk's Vespertine (2001), written by Harmony Korine, was named about and after him.^[10]
• Oldham was the subject of a 2004 30-track double-cd tribute album (and a smaller 18-track version) released on Tract Records, entitled I Am a Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass., The album features performances by Calexico, Jolie Holland, and Iron & Wine, among others.
• Jeffrey Lewis's album City and Eastern Songs (2005) included the track "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror."
• Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro mentioned Oldham in their song "Saturday Superhouse" from their album Puzzle (2007).

For other uses, see Vespertine (disambiguation). ... This article is about the musician. ... For other articles with similar names, see Vespertine (disambiguation). ... Harmony Korine Harmony Korine (born January 4, 1973) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and author. ... I Am a Cold Rock. ... For the city, see Calexico, California. ... Former member of The Be Good Tanyas, Texas native Jolie Holland records country music and folk music in a manner that conveys the spontaneous nature of her performance. ... Iron & Wine is the stage and recording name for Florida-based folk rock singer-songwriter Sam Beam. ... Jeffrey Lewis (born November 20, 1975 in New York City) is an American Anti-folk singer/songwriter and comic-book artist. ... City and Eastern Songs is the third album by anti-folk artist Jeffrey Lewis. ... Biffy Clyro (often known colloquially as Biffy)[1] are a Scottish rock group from Ayrshire whose members are Simon Neil, James Johnston and Ben Johnston. ... Saturday Superhouse is a song by Biffy Clyro and the soon-to-be-released first physical single from their fourth album, Puzzle. ... Singles from Puzzle Released: 25 December 2006 Released: 5 March 2007 Released: 14 May 2007 Puzzle is the fourth album by Scottish band Biffy Clyro, released in the UK on 4 June 2007 on 14th Floor, as well as in the USA in August 2007 on Roadrunner. ...

Covers

• Around the time of "Sings Greatest Palace Music," Oldham released a cover version of Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away" as a b-side on the "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" single. Engine Room Recordings' is now releasing it on a compilation album Guilt By Association, set to be released this September.
• In 2001, Oldham recorded a cover of The Renderer's "A Dream Of The Sea", released on a collection of covers entitled More Revery .

Bonnie Prince Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music is the name of a 2004 album released by Will Oldham under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy, on which Oldham covers songs of some of his older albums. ... Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director, and actress. ... Guilt By Association is a new compilation album that will be released September 4th, 2007 by Engine Room Recordings. ... More Revery by Bonnie Billy is the name of a Will Oldham EP released in 2000 as Volume 7 of the Travels in Constants subscription series on the label Temporary Residence Limited [1]. It was recorded live at the Palais du Congres in Shelbyville, KY by Paul Oldham and consists...

Film

Will Oldham began his acting career at the age of 17, when he portrayed a teen preacher in John Sayles's film about an Appalachian mining community, Matewan (1987). Oldham moved to Hollywood to pursue acting, and was well received, landing roles in a couple of films. However, he quickly became disillusioned with the film industry and quit in 1989.^[11] He has since had several minor roles in independent films, such as Julien Donkey-Boy (1999), Junebug (2005), and The Guatemalan Handshake (2006). Oldham took a lead role in Old Joy, which was featured at SXSW XX and opened at New York's Film Forum on September 20, 2006. Will Oldham also played the role of a preacher in the Horse Apples special of Wondershowzen in series 2 of the show. Photo of John Sayles by Robert Birnbaum John Thomas Sayles (born September 28, 1950) is an independent American film director and writer who frequently takes a small part in his own and other indie films. ... Matewan is a 1987 drama by John Sayles, illustrating the events of a coal mine-workers strike and attempt to unionize in 1920 in Matewan, a small town in the hills of West Virginia. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Julien Donkey-Boy (1999) is the sixth film to be made under the self-imposed rules of the Dogme 95 manifesto. ... Junebug is a 2005 comedy and drama film directed by Phil Morrison. ... The Guatemalan Handshake is a 2006 comedy/drama film, written/directed by Todd Rohal. ... Two friends reunite for a camping trip in Oregons Cascade Mountains. ... South by Southwest (SXSW, Inc. ... The New York City cinema Film Forum began in 1970 as an alternative screening space for independent films, with 50 folding chairs, one projector and a US$19,000 annual budget. ...

Filmography

• Matewan (1987), directed by John Sayles
• Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure (1989) (TV movie)
• Thousand Pieces of Gold (1991)
• Elysian Fields (1993)
• Radiation (1998)
• Julien Donkey-Boy (1999) (uncredited role), directed by Harmony Korine
• Slitch (2003), directed by Dianne Bellino
• Tripping with Caveh (2004), directed by Caveh Zahedi
• Junebug (June 10 2005)
• The Guatemalan Handshake (2006)
• Old Joy (2006)
• The Edge of Town (2006) (post production)
• The Land (2007) (currently filming)

Matewan is a 1987 drama by John Sayles, illustrating the events of a coal mine-workers strike and attempt to unionize in 1920 in Matewan, a small town in the hills of West Virginia. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Photo of John Sayles by Robert Birnbaum John Thomas Sayles (born September 28, 1950) is an independent American film director and writer who frequently takes a small part in his own and other indie films. ... Jessica McClure (now Jessica Morales) (born March 26, 1986), became famous at the age of 18 months after getting herself trapped in a Midland, Texas well on October 14, 1987. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Julien Donkey-Boy (1999) is the sixth film to be made under the self-imposed rules of the Dogme 95 manifesto. ... This article is about the year. ... Harmony Korine Harmony Korine (born January 4, 1973) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and author. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An editor has expressed a concern that the subject of the article does not satisfy one of the following guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia: If you are familiar with the subject matter, please expand the article to establish its notability, citing reliable sources, so as to avoid its being considered... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Caveh Zahedi (born Robert Caveh Zahedi on April 29, 1960) is an American film director and actor. ... Junebug is a 2005 comedy and drama film directed by Phil Morrison. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guatemalan Handshake is a 2006 comedy/drama film, written/directed by Todd Rohal. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Two friends reunite for a camping trip in Oregons Cascade Mountains. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Bonnie 'Prince' Billy official website
• Will Oldham at Drag City (record label)
• Will Oldham at All Music Guide
• Will Oldham at the Internet Movie Database
• The Royal Stable - Fan site with news, photos, tour dates, etc.
• Palace (French) - French fan site with complete lyrics and tablature
• The Pulpit - Fan site with some lyrics and tablature
• Daytrotter session
• The Wanderer - Chico News & Review article
• How Can I Know? How Can I Care? - 3am article
• Freewilliamsburg.com interview
• How Was the Show? Review of Will Oldham live
• Touching the Void Signal to Noise article (PDF)
• Foggy Notion article (PDF)
• The Journey of Will Oldham Skyscraper article (GIF)
• The Man Who Would Be King Mojo article (PDF)