Will Oldham: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Smog
• Dirty Three
• Edith Frost
• Warren Defever
• Silver Jews
• Vic Chesnutt
• Simple Kid

• Nick Drake
• John Fahey
• Skip Spence
• Carter Family
• Slint
• Souled American
• The Louvin Brothers

• Bon Iver
• Turner Cody
• Thomas Denver Jonsson
• Channel
• Frank Smith
• Begushkin
• Michael Beauchamp

• Anomoanon
• Ano*Moanon
• The Palace Brothers
• Rian Murphy

Born:

Dec 24, 1970 in Louisville, KY

Genres:

Rock Music, Alternative Rock Music, Singer/Songwriter Rock Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Ratings Guide

For most of the '90s, Will Oldham was the mastermind of Palace Music, a shambling, country-tinged indie rock group that recorded under a variety of names. The only constant in Palace was Oldham, and he would often record as a solo artist under the Palace name. That fact made his decision to retire the Palace name in 1997 somewhat baffling, since for all intents and purposes, he was the band. Nevertheless, Joya, Oldham's first album as a solo artist, was slightly different than Palace, boasting a slightly darker and somber tone. Like all the Palace records, Joya was released on Drag City to positive critical notices and a moderately successful cult following. Although the subsequent I See a Darkness was attributed to Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Oldham continued using his given name for releases, including Ode Music and Guarapero: Lost Blues 2. The second Bonnie "Prince" Billy album, Ease Down the Road, arrived in early 2001, featuring collaborators David Pajo, Catherine Irwin, Mike Fellows, and Harmony Korine. Master and Everyone appeared two years later.

- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide