Sound Series: Bonnie “Prince” Billy, with special guest, Title TK

The Warhol is thrilled to welcome back the iconic and highly influential songwriter and performer Bonnie “Prince” Billy (a.k.a. Will Oldham), through a collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Art, in conjunction with the exhibition, Cory Arcangel: Masters.  Don’t miss this unique evening with the Drag City Records stalwart who, over the past quarter-century, has made an idiosyncratic journey through, and an indelible mark on, the worlds of indie rock and independent cinema. Oldham will release the special holiday 7” Christmas Eve Can Kill You with Dawn McCarthy and a new full length record is planned for early ’13.  Opening the show is Title TK (artist Cory Arcangel, musician and writer Alan Licht, and artist and curator Howie Chen), self-described as “a banter-prone band” that has been referred to as “a cross between David Antin and Spinal Tap”.  And Licht also edited the recently published autobiography, Will Oldham on Bonnie “Prince” Billy.

Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy “Christmas Eve Can Kill You” from Drag City on Vimeo.

In anticipation of their forthcoming holiday single Christmas Eve Can Kill You, old friends and collaborators Dawn McCarthy and Will Oldham present you with a gift: a video shot by Lara Miranda during the track’s Nashville recording sessions produced by David Ferguson at Butcher Shop Studio, as well as footage depicting the spirit of the project from McCreary County, KY. From the Seeger Sisters to Mariah Carey, Elvis to Sinatra, from Johnny Cash to Merle Haggard; there is a remarkably strong tradition of fa-la-la-ing in popular music–to say nothing of the rich tradition of the holiday music video. Yet this is definitely not what one expects to see in a holiday music video–there’s no snow, no presents, no sacrificial goose or other consumable indulgences; but rather the tenets of what a pre-capitalist Christmas looks like. The elements at the core of why people celebrate holidays to begin with– friendship, collaboration, warmth, rejuvenation, and joy.

Christmas Eve Can Kill You also offers a foreshadowing glimpse at Oldham and McCarthy’s forthcoming full-length record of songs they learned from Everly Brothers records; a project inspired by the songstress’ young daughters’ love of the rhythm and blues duo. In true Everly style, the video showcases harmony as a medium–which is eminently worthy of attention (and even adulation). Given the depth and dynamism of Will and Dawn’s natural harmonic ability, this video is sure to awaken the inner holiday spirit (and beasts!) like no other one this season.

Christmas Eve Can Kill You is a collective effort by: Dawn McCarthy, Bonny Billy, Emmett Kelly, Dave Roe, Kenny Malone, Billy Contreras, David Ferguson and Matt Sweeney. Recorded by David Ferguson and Mastered by Paul Oldham.

Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie “Prince” Billy- Christmas Eve Can Kill You b/w Walking the Dog 7” comes out 11/20/12 on Drag City.

Additional Information

Please note that this event is not at The Andy Warhol Museum, but at Carnegie Lecture Hall in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Please see the map in the sidebar for more information and directions.

Please note tickets do not go on sale for this event until November 15, 2012 at 9am EST.

Sound Series

Sound Series is an ongoing concert series featuring internationally touring contemporary artists and bands from around the world. Learn more about our Sound Series.

Related Links

Bonnie "Prince" Billy Official Website