Spruce Peak UNPLUGGED: Dar WIlliams

Dar Williams’ lyrics contain bouquets of optimism, delivered on melodies alternating between beguiling lightness and understated gravity. Williams strongly believes that all of us possess our own power and ability to achieve, and she rejects the exceptionalism that encourages us to “admire that yonder star,” while making us feel small and insignificant; unworthy of shining on our own but hoping to catch enough distant light to inspire some tiny accomplishment. Williams has always been very interested in how to control our future and this album has to do with the fact that at some point, you just can’t.

Like everyone else, Williams spent 2020 in that state of non-control. She and longtime producer Stewart Lerman tracked most of the album, her 12th studio recording, in November of 2019. In late February of 2020, she cut the title tune in Woodstock with bassist Gail Ann Dorsey and Larry Campbell, who produced the track and played guitars, pedal steel and twangy baritone guitar. When told they had to postpone a mid-March mixing date, Campbell said he wasn’t feeling well anyway. Turns out he’d contracted a serious case of COVID-19. That was a clear sign that at some point, you have to meet life where it meets you …the common thread throughout that these songs, the willingness to meet life as it arrives.

Dar Williams was always in the right place at the right time for the success she’s had over a 25+-year career. She rose out of the vibrant mid-90’s Boston scene, inspired by the eclectic influences of alt-rockers, Berklee jazz musicians, slam poets, and folk artists, like Patty Griffith, Melissa Ferrick, the Throwing Muses, Vance Gilbert, and Jonatha Brooke. After a year of touring non-stop with her first album, The Honesty Room, in 1994, she was invited by Joan Baez to tour in Europe and The United States.

“Good and bad things happen, and it’s not necessarily a reward or indictment. I’ve just got to meet it.” Williams observes. “Like, I’m bringing my whole life to this moment; it will surprise me, challenge me, show me where I was wrong, even make a fool out of me, but my job is to show up and not take adversity personally. Real happiness doesn’t have to feel like Snoopy dancing with Woodstock; it can just be knowing you have the resilience to meet whatever comes to you. I will call that a good life.”

Vermont-based Milton Busker & The Grim Work formed in 2014 after singer/songwriter Milton Busker ran into his old friend and fellow guitarist David Ball at a local farmer’s market, which is quite possibly the most-Vermont beginning to a band ever. They brought in mandolin player Jom Hammack, who played as a three-piece until being joined by bass player John Treybal in early 2016. Dave Simpson rounded out the group on drums shortly after, and the group spent some time honing their repertoire at occasional shows in the Burlington area.

The band plays a type of Americana they call “suit-folk”, defined as the people’s music, all dolled up for a night on the town. It is an Appalachian ditty played by Cole Porter. It’s a gospel song for heretics. It’s hippie music for people who can’t afford to drop out. It’s love songs for the kids who couldn’t get dates but still dress up for the dance.

*Special Offering: Spruce Peak Arts Members VIP Box
As a token of our appreciation, Spruce Peak Arts members can purchase tickets in the exclusive VIP Box and have an intimate viewing experience with complimentary drinks offered during the show. To reserve your tickets, please contact Development Manager Kush Sharma at ksharma@sprucepeakarts.org today!