It's a story impossible to imagine. A struggling band, borrowing money to record their first album, sells out shows around the country within months of the album's release.
Receiving rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and College Music Journal, the Fleet Foxes are making a name for themselves in the music industry. Maintaining control of their original sound and surrounding themselves with friends and relatives, the Fleet Foxes are running a genuine tour in an industry plagued with "viable" marketing maneuvers. And fans love it.
Taking the stage for a little over an hour last night at the Pabst, I don't know if I've seen a more gracious band. The atmosphere felt more like intimate get together in a friend's living room than a sold out show on an international tour. Playing without an ounce of pretension, the Fleet Foxes epitomize the deep sincerity and genuine graciousness present only in the brief moment when a band's success is imminent but not yet fully understood.
The Fleet Foxes showcased their debut self-titled album, playing songs like "White Winter Hymnal", "Ragged Wood" and "He Doesn't Know Why". Band lead, Robin Pecknold, carried the stage alone for a few acoustic solo's including "Oliver James". Reiterating their affection for the crowd, Pecknold playfully regurgitated a snippet of Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather" when someone from the crowd cried out the request.
Band members Robin Pecknold, Skyler Skjelset, Casey Wescott, Christian Wargo and Josh Tillman released their debut self-titled album in June 2008. Booking a tour within months, the Fleet Foxes' tour takes them across the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Incorporating acoustic and electric guitar, the mandolin and a load of percussion instruments including the maracas and the tambourine, Fleet Foxes flowed from one song into the next frequently changing instruments and vocalists.
Self described as "baroque harmonic pop jam", the Fleet Foxes are anything but simple to describe. Picking up undertones of CSNY and the Beach Boys, this Seattle based band successfully recreates an age-old sound. Influencing cultural and musical artists are clearly palpable in their style; specifically evolving the harmonizing vocals established by CSNY's "On the Way Home" and "Ohio".
In a word, Pecknold's voice was beautiful. Able to capture the softness and passion of voices like Neil Young and Colin Meloy, Pecknold unconsciously commanded listeners with delicate words and strong urgency. While the Pacific Northwest has never been short of musical aptitude or industry defiance, the Fleet Foxes epitomize a cultural shift toward singer/songwriter musicians.
Throughout the show, the Fleet Foxes harmonizing vocals released a melodic ground baseline delightfully compliment the lyrical words. Silencing a full house, the packed crowd patiently waited on every word, song and conversational joke.
The sensationalism surrounding the sold out show was amplified by the presence of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. The independent station hosted a live radio broadcast of the show; allowing those shut out on tickets to grab a listen over the radio.
The often employed categorization of the Fleet Foxes' music as "psychedelic pop" fails to convey the music's inventive nature forging a rebirth of harmonious vocals and Appalachian folk. The music captures imagination; able to transform listeners to an all natural place of inner expression and ecological purity. And there's no question, it sounds good too.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
