Video: Brice Woodall - 'Sea of Knives'

By Frank Krolicki

Here's a good one for a cold Monday morning courtesy of Chicago's own Brice Woodall. "Sea of Knives," off the EP Id Escaped, is a two-and-a-half-minute journey into the clouds. Being up that high makes you feel really dreamy, but also a bit eerie, and the video (directed by Trevor Bittinger) matches the mood of the track perfectly. See for your self below. Brice will be making the trip down to SXSW next month, so if you happen to be too, catch him playing on three different days (details on his Facebook page).

Tonight: Brice Woodall cassette release at the Ace Bar

By Frank Krolicki

What's a little snow and bitter cold when there's live music to be seen?

Tonight at the Ace Bar (1505 W. Fullerton Ave.), Chicago's Brice Woodall will be celebrating the release of his new cassette EP, Some Odd Years, as part of a bill that also features Tiny Manatee and Sad Astronaut. Early in 2011, Windy City Rock's own Sasha Geffen interviewed Brice--and now what do you know--she is playing synths and bells with him as part of a three-piece that also includes Wade Work of Sequoia.

The EP, which is available for download now on Bandcamp, has an atmospheric folktronica sound that's the perfect fit for a frigid, snowy winter's day (it even features some cool wintry artwork courtesy of Sasha). You can listen to one of the songs, "POV," below, and take in the sounds live starting at 9 p.m. tonight. Click here for more information and tickets.

Preview: Denise Hradecky, Brice Woodall & more at Abbey Pub, 7/15

By Sasha Geffen

Holy double release show! If you're like me and want to duck out of the way of the P4K crowd (hipster swarms of doom!) but still want to spend this weekend enjoying some great live music, you ought to kick things off by heading up to the Abbey Pub this Friday. Brice Woodall and Denise Hradecky will both be releasing sweet new records there, and I have good information that says you'll be able to pick up 7 inch vinyl to add to your growing collection, you trendsetter, you.

First, you'll be treated to the eerie bleeps of Across the Dark Forest, a new outfit as mysterious as their name suggests. The few tracks they've got up on their MySpace are gorgeous atmospheric compositions overlaid with ethereal vocals. Head on over and check out "The Paper Waste" if you're into dark, dreamy drum machine action.

Multi-instrumentalist Ian Hoffman of the orchestral pop ensemble Needers and Givers will also perform. As one of three brothers in the band, it looks like Ian's flying solo for now, although the N&G site suggests he's been doing some recording with his brother Dylan while Christopher's over in New York. Hopefully we hear more from these guys soon: the two rich, tight folk-rock jams streaming on their website sound like Jethro Tull frontloaded with expensive stimulants and electric sparks. It's finds like this that make me lament my lack of an in-ear antenna tuned to all the achingly lovely tunes hidden within this city's underbelly.

Interview: Brice Woodall

Posted by Sasha

photo: Brittany Diliberto

Originally from Virginia, Brice Woodall arrived in Chicago in 2005 and immediately began putting his own take on indie folktronica all over the map. It's difficult to fit his work into a genre box; his songs are simultaneously digital and lushly organic, accessible and mysterious, playful and dark. He's been called the Thom Yorke of the south and the Andrew Bird of outer space. Radiohead might be his most traceable influence, but there's plenty going on that's uniquely Brice as he combines dreamy electronic atmospheres with surprising melodies and enigmatic lyrics. He just released a fantastic set from the Abbey Road Studio sessions he recorded with his band, The Positrons, and his latest self-released solo record Devil Take You! is now available for purchase on iTunes. His next studio record is currently set for a spring release.

You can catch Brice live for free this Saturday, February 19th at 9:00 p.m. at Leland Tap with Andy B. White and Haywood Yards. In advance of the show, he took the time to chat with us about things like the upcoming record, DIY, YouTube, and 19th century Russian lit. Check out the interview below.

New track from Brice Woodall

Posted by Sasha

It's a shame the holidays are over already, because the track below, one of the latest from D.I.Y. folktronica artist Brice Woodall, would have fit perfectly on my yuletide playlist. Nevertheless, this charming instrumental should help get you through the dreary months of winter that remain. I understand that Mr. Woodall has a new record in the works, and this song seems to be an indicator of good things to come. Enjoy.

Niiice by Brice Woodall