Mystique Magic

The Civil Wars are pretty new to the scene, forming in 2008 when the two forming members met at a Tennessee song writing session. I became aware of the duo in mid 2011 when they released their track “Barton Hollow”. However, I have only recently started to really appreciate their sound and I hope you will too, they truly are a unique talent.

Despite me only discovering them last year, it was their song “Poison & Wine” that got them noticed. In 2009, the track was featured on TV show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. The mystery of this song and where it had come from caused a lot of people to head on over to trusty old Google, thus discovering the magic that is The Civil Wars.
Barely getting used to the sudden recognition of their music, The Civil Wars were once again suddenly thrust in the direction of international success when pop star Taylor Swift tweeted her love for the duo. Suddenly a whole new group of fans were latching on to the band, enabling them to go from strength to strength in their music career.

They have so far won two Grammy Awards and I predict that there will be many more to come in the future. This will be helped along by the fact that their latest song “Safe and Sound” with Taylor Swift, will be featuring in one of this year’s eagerly awaited films, ‘The Hunger Games’ (which, if you haven’t read the books, you must do immediately – they are amazing!!) which is sure to get them recognised by yet another audience.

The type of music they create should attract a fairly niche and specific audience, however it is so much more than that, which is why they are a attracting a much wider and mass audience (and rightly so – everyone deserves to hear their music). They are a folk band, but don’t let that put you off if you’re not necessarily a fan of country music, their music is so much more than that. Their songs tend to be very dark, mystic and captivating whilst still being very chilled out and easy listening music.

The Civil Wars however are not your typical band. They travel light with only themselves and some acoustic instruments, leaving behind the backup group and big band theatrics that a lot of groups tend to favour nowadays. All of this just adds to their charm and deepness of their music. It allows them to be stripped down and perform to a raw level, enhancing the emotions their music and lyrics exude.

All I can say is give them a chance. Give them a listen and if you don’t like them then that’s okay, but I am sure you’ll soon be a fan of their music like me.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that singer John Paul White bears a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp mixed in with a little Jack White.

Let me know what you think. Do you know of any bands similar to The Civil Wars that I should be made aware of?

Kirsty xx