I recently found this remarkably talented and extraordinary band and it has quickly moved to my top ten, I think. They're more obscure, though, so a lot of their earlier songs aren't even on YouTube. But they have a bandcamp where you can get a couple of their albums for free! Since they're newer on the scene, I was actually able to choose just 5 favorite songs, so enjoy the semi-brevity. ;)
David Wimbish is the founder and front man who started writing and recording his own songs and then invited others to join him. More and more people were added to the band and currently there are about 16 full time members who sing and play multiple instruments plus 11 additional musicians and vocalists. The cohesion this band is able to maintain is truly insane. They’re from Greensboro, North Carolina (yess the Avett Brothers’ home state whoo whoo), and they employ their folk roots as well as orchestral and world music into their songs.
This group is not only amazing musically (one person may play multiple instruments in just one song), but lyrically as well. The Collection wrestles with the ideas of mortality and spirituality and the beautiful mystery of life in general. Another super cool thing about them is that some members rotate out as life situations arise, leaving spots open for new members to join, hollaaa.
This group is not only amazing musically (one person may play multiple instruments in just one song), but lyrically as well. The Collection wrestles with the ideas of mortality and spirituality and the beautiful mystery of life in general. Another super cool thing about them is that some members rotate out as life situations arise, leaving spots open for new members to join, hollaaa.
Dancin' in the mud (Burning Trees EP, 2012)
Okay, there was no YouTube video for this song, dang it, so you'll have to listen to it by clicking here (I apologize for this annoying inconvenience). For a little background, this EP is just five songs pulled from an earlier album. David's input about this EP is that the songs pulled for it were written before the band came a long way and that they have changed a lot since. I love to be able to see the growth and evolution of a band, especially one like this.
The first thing that grabbed me was that beautiful banjo and second was the overall fun tune. I really like how this song is about doubt, as well, because I know it is something that we all struggle with, whether it's in a religious context or otherwise. David describes seeing Jesus perform miracles such as healing disease, and yet his heart still "would not burn", and he later compares himself to Doubting Thomas. By the end of the song, David asks Jesus to "deliver me from me"--he's asking to be saved from himself. I think that's really interesting, because most of the time, it truly is ourselves that we need saving from, not other people or things. There's more I could say about this song, but this paragraph is already too long and I'll let you make your own interpretations for the rest of it. :)
The first thing that grabbed me was that beautiful banjo and second was the overall fun tune. I really like how this song is about doubt, as well, because I know it is something that we all struggle with, whether it's in a religious context or otherwise. David describes seeing Jesus perform miracles such as healing disease, and yet his heart still "would not burn", and he later compares himself to Doubting Thomas. By the end of the song, David asks Jesus to "deliver me from me"--he's asking to be saved from himself. I think that's really interesting, because most of the time, it truly is ourselves that we need saving from, not other people or things. There's more I could say about this song, but this paragraph is already too long and I'll let you make your own interpretations for the rest of it. :)
I hear love every time you sing
Seeds (the collection EP, 2011)
Again, here is a better link, because this was the only video I found and part of the lyrics are hard to make out. When I listened to this song the first time, I thought about it in two different ways: (1) He's talking to God, and (2) He could also be talking to a loved one. I think both could easily apply. I mean, he's obviously talking about God when he references the mustard seed and His kingdom, but I find that certain other lyrics could go both ways. I love that, because it allows the band to gain fans from all sides of the spectrum by their own interpretations.
This song really struck me when David said, "I thought that I could change the whole world with my songs, but I can't even make my mind up on who you are" and "I have taken this whole year to realize that I don't know a thing".
This song really struck me when David said, "I thought that I could change the whole world with my songs, but I can't even make my mind up on who you are" and "I have taken this whole year to realize that I don't know a thing".
| I have missed you for so long and you're the only one that makes sense in this world |
Scala Naturae (Ars moriendi, 2014)
This first full-length album was written after multiple friends and family members of the band passed away. Ars Moriendi means "the art of dying". Scala naturae ("stairway of nature" in Latin) is also known as the Great Chain of Being, a medieval concept that the natural order of organisms is for them to be arranged in linear order from simple to complex.
It starts off with Mira-Joy (David's wife) singing and the whole song is like a chronological story of her and David's lives. Together, they reflect on realizing at a young age that the world will "treat you like hell" and that even as we age, we may not ever fully understand what life is about or why we go through pain. They talk about how even though we may think we're just kind of floating through life, change is always good and we will always find love among all the mess.
A repeated line is "I'm leaving my chains all behind", and I love it, because it's basically saying that I won't let negative people or things hold me down or keep me from living freely. And one of the members, Chase, actually uses chains as an instrument which is really unique and awesome. Gah, I love this song and could keep talking about it, but I'll stop now.
It starts off with Mira-Joy (David's wife) singing and the whole song is like a chronological story of her and David's lives. Together, they reflect on realizing at a young age that the world will "treat you like hell" and that even as we age, we may not ever fully understand what life is about or why we go through pain. They talk about how even though we may think we're just kind of floating through life, change is always good and we will always find love among all the mess.
A repeated line is "I'm leaving my chains all behind", and I love it, because it's basically saying that I won't let negative people or things hold me down or keep me from living freely. And one of the members, Chase, actually uses chains as an instrument which is really unique and awesome. Gah, I love this song and could keep talking about it, but I'll stop now.
If I live, or I die, at least there’s love either way | |
The gown of green (Ars moriendi, 2014)
At the beginning, the speaker compares himself to an anchor that won't stay down or keep anything grounded. He is saying he is useless. Then there is the allusion to God planting seeds in a terrible place with weeds and still His kingdom grew up out of it. In nature, there are some beautiful flowers that are still able to flourish among weeds in harsh environments and this song is saying that people can, too. The overall message is that no matter who we are or where we came from, we have the ability to show love to everyone and in that, we will always find our freedom. We need to put our weapons down and "sow the earth with diligence and love".
In the video when the brass begins and the confetti falls and you can see how much fun they're having, I get this wonderful feeling that I can't really explain. I don't know, it just makes me feel an overwhelming sense of joy...does that make sense? Am I the only one who feels that? Pure jubilance.
In the video when the brass begins and the confetti falls and you can see how much fun they're having, I get this wonderful feeling that I can't really explain. I don't know, it just makes me feel an overwhelming sense of joy...does that make sense? Am I the only one who feels that? Pure jubilance.
| You'll see freedom |
Old wineskins (New song!)
The Collection doesn't have a very large discography with just one full- length album and some EPs, but don't fear! They're currently working on another full-length album (which you can pre-order here), and I can tell it's going to be great--maybe even better than Ars Moriendi. The energy of this song (and the band all the time) is spectacular. I find myself dancing and clapping along every time I listen to it.
Is this all that we get? | |
I’ve decided to add being a member of a huge band like this to my list of unrealistic dreams. To be a part of this huge, spiritual, folk family would be the ultimate life experience (for me, anyway). This band is amazingly talented, humble, energetic, and they are truly passionate about everything they do. That's hard to come by anymore.
If you want to read more about a few of the permanent members, I’ll link their website here.
The saddest thing is that I just found out they performed in my state IN MARCH UGH. (They’re touring with the Oh Hellos! And David has some solo work and has performed a few solo shows recently as well, which is also awesome).
Anyway, I love this band and cannot wait to see what they do next. Their new album is supposed to be released this fall if they can gather enough money to get in the studio, so go and support them!
If you want to read more about a few of the permanent members, I’ll link their website here.
The saddest thing is that I just found out they performed in my state IN MARCH UGH. (They’re touring with the Oh Hellos! And David has some solo work and has performed a few solo shows recently as well, which is also awesome).
Anyway, I love this band and cannot wait to see what they do next. Their new album is supposed to be released this fall if they can gather enough money to get in the studio, so go and support them!
Here’s a list of all the members and the instruments they play (to give you even more of an idea of how amazing they all are):
the Collection is
David Wimbish - Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Pipa, Violin, Cello, Horns, Vocals
Mira-joy Wimbish - Accordion, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion, Vocals
Hayden Cooke - Bass Guitar, Doublebass
Christina Goss - Piano, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion
Whitney Keller - Organ, Autoharp, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion, Vocals
Philip Keller - Baritone Horn
Sandra Wimbish - Trumpet
Steve Rozema - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Graham Dickey - Trombone
Chase Salmons - Drums, Chains, Weights, Keys, Shakers, Tambourines
Tom Troyer - Electric Guitar, Phin, Charango, Flute, Didjeridoo
Maria Yandell - Violin
Josh Weesner - Violin
Christina Brooke - Cello
Jennifer Millis - Cello
Hope Baker - Clarinet, Aux Percussion
Additional Musicians -
Elisa Cox - Violin
Clay White - Saw, Trumpet
Ivy White - French Horn
Jeff Stuart Saltzman - Marxophone
Edd Kerr - Electric Guitar, Banjo
Group Vocals: Kevan Chandler, Caleb and Meagan Hunter, Kim Bazel, Anna Bosovich, Luke Carson
the Collection is
David Wimbish - Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Pipa, Violin, Cello, Horns, Vocals
Mira-joy Wimbish - Accordion, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion, Vocals
Hayden Cooke - Bass Guitar, Doublebass
Christina Goss - Piano, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion
Whitney Keller - Organ, Autoharp, Glockenspiel, Aux Percussion, Vocals
Philip Keller - Baritone Horn
Sandra Wimbish - Trumpet
Steve Rozema - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Graham Dickey - Trombone
Chase Salmons - Drums, Chains, Weights, Keys, Shakers, Tambourines
Tom Troyer - Electric Guitar, Phin, Charango, Flute, Didjeridoo
Maria Yandell - Violin
Josh Weesner - Violin
Christina Brooke - Cello
Jennifer Millis - Cello
Hope Baker - Clarinet, Aux Percussion
Additional Musicians -
Elisa Cox - Violin
Clay White - Saw, Trumpet
Ivy White - French Horn
Jeff Stuart Saltzman - Marxophone
Edd Kerr - Electric Guitar, Banjo
Group Vocals: Kevan Chandler, Caleb and Meagan Hunter, Kim Bazel, Anna Bosovich, Luke Carson
Thanks for reading! :)
~Say love <3
~Say love <3