Midwestern songwriter/producer Will Phalen is no stranger to the local music scene. While releasing several of his own albums, both solo and as part of a group, Phalen has found time to collaborate with and lend his production skills to some of Chicago’s finest musicians including Julie Meckler, Crow Moses (formerly Musikanto), and Bailiff.
A true son of the Midwest, Phalen has spent time in Milawukee, Madison and Chicago crafting his blend of psychedelic folk-rock. His latest offering to the genre and the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign last January, will be getting the official release party treatment here in Chicago this Friday.
Joined by four equally talented musicians, The Dirt and the Air and the Grass is a beautifully cohesive folk record that showcases an understanding of not just the folk genre, but of rock and psych music as well. Each track manages to play with the dynamic of the these genres and results in bits of each shining through when they are most needed and fading into the background when they aren’t.
The new record doesn’t start shipping out until March 11, so this Friday will be your chance to get a copy before anyone else. The Dirt and the Air and the Grass is available on CD for $10, and on 12″ vinyl in a first pressing limited edition of 260 for $20.
The show starts at 9:30 PM this Friday, 3/7, at the Hideout – 1354 W Wabansia Ave. Setting the stage for Will Phalen will be all-girl acoustic folk trio Female Basic and stand-up comedian Adam Burke, with DJ Warp curating the post-show dance party. Tickets are $8 online or $10 at the door.