Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American songwriter, actor, and musician. His music is often (perhaps inappropriately) placed under the genre of "alternative country". Oldham attended Brown University. Oldham has recorded under many names, including Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Bonnie Billy and Will Oldham. He often plays and records with other musicians, including Dave Pajo and his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham, but is generally the chief creator of the music. He has also been involved in musical projects and bands such as Box of Chocolates, The Amalgamated Sons of Rest, The Anomoanon, The Boxhead Ensemble, and Continental OP (with David Pajo). Oldham has said that the Bonnie "Prince" Billy moniker has many references. These include Bonnie 'Prince' Charlie, an 18th century Jacobite; Billy the Kid, the 19th century American outlaw also known as William Bonney; and the American singer Nat King Cole. He has also appeared in several films, including the 1987 film Matewan, Julien Donkey-Boy, and most recently The Guatemalan Handshake (due to be released in 2006). He is also the photographer of the cover image of the album Spiderland by Slint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Oldham He is probably best known under the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker. He's been making music for a while now, but not until recently have i realized how much of an incredible singer/songwriter he is. The album "I See a Darkness" may be one of the most hypnotizing things i have ever heard...its so sparse, and so dark. yet underneath the blackness of it all, theres a certain calming about it... im not very good at describing music i feel that its best to hear it. my recommendations for albums to get from him are "I See a Darkness", "Superwolf", and under the 'Palace' monkier, "Viva Last Blues". "Ease On Down the Road" is pretty nice as well. heres a site where you can hear a few of his songs: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=41765496 (i recommend "i see a darkness", even though the song is really called "a minor place")
Yeah, I have 'Superwolf' and 'I See a Darkness'. His Bonnie "Prince" Billy stuff is not bad at all, but I haven't heard anything else of his. And you're right, there's something very calming about his music.
mmm, I love will oldham/ bonnie "prince" billy. i see a darkness is BEAUTIFUL and i really like his cover of Kevin Coyne's Sun Shines Down On Me.
I love Bonnie Prince Billie. I See A Darkness is defintely great, along with Madeline Mary. If you like him, you might also like Songs Ohia (Another Alt-Country band.)
