The sound of husband and wife vocal harmonies will fill Oporto on 4 February, along with the Mexican stringed instruments, melodic hooks and blasts of brass of David Wax Museum’s latest record, Line of Light.
The album refocuses on the band’s two co-founders, weaving the personal with the political, the global with the spiritual, chronicling the landscapes and longings that connect us all.
This is a brand of Americana that stretches way beyond the borders of the USA, and began when Suz Slezak and David Wax played their first show together almost 12 years ago, a partnership which has produced 7 records, multiple top 20 hits and performances alongside The Avett Brothers and heroes Los Lobos.
In a change from the layered textures of the band’s other albums, Line of Light’s sound is raw yet dynamic, and faces today’s challenges head on, with the very first line of the album paving the way: ‘I refuse to live in fear’. This music has emerged from difficult times for the couple, not the least of which are their adopted home town’s violent rallies and Suz’s battle with bipolar disorder. The lyrics advise taking a bright outlook and avoiding division.
If you don’t already know David Wax Museum and you appreciate honesty, passion and sincerity arising from uncluttered production, you will love this band’s demonstration that music really can drive out the darkness.
Here’s what the critics think:
“Global crossover at its best…This could be the unexpected hit of the summer.” The Guardian
“The best band you might not know.” The Huffington Post
“The breakout act of Newport Folk Fest.” Paste Magazine
“This is one infectious band.” NPR Music
“Their blend on Americana with regional music of Mexico is unlike anything you’ve heard.” CBS Saturday Morning
“Joyful Mexo-Americana fusion, with virtuosic musical skill and virtuous harmonies.” Time Magazine
“…like Andrew Bird, with a Mexican folk bent and a couple of dashes of Magnetic Fields and Wilco
ishness.” Entertainment Weekly
“A band that joyfully celebrates and preserves the heart of Americana music.” World Cafe
28/1 & 29/1 – London – Americana Fest UK – Tix
31/1- Bristol – The Folk House
1/2 – Glasgow – Broadcast / Celtic Connections – Tix
2/2 – Sheffield – Greystones
2/4 – Leeds – Oporto – Tix
2/5 – Manchester- Gullivers – Tix
2/6 – Gateshead – Sage Two – Tix
2/7 – Hull – O’Riley’s
2/9 – Brighton – Prince Albert
