Cozy Up To The Lonely Wild At Schubas This Wednesday

By Chicagoist in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 7, 2015 5:50PM

Photo by: Paige Craig

Los Angeles alt-country-indie-folk quintet The Lonely Wild are coming to Chicago for a show with Family Crest at Schubas Wednesday.

The band’s sound couples anthemic rock with a nuance that harkens back to old time westerns, and the lyrics covering topics ranging from political corruption to corporate greed to modern day society woes. The band is currently touring in support of their sophomore album Chasing White Light, and long-time fans will notice a bit of a change in sound.

The new album strays from the band's traditional spaghetti-Western feel, bringing in a new blend of modern pop with synthesizers and organs seamlessly blending with harpsichord notes and strings. The result is a wild arrangement of what we love to look back on, as we reminisce about the good ol’ days of rock ‘n’ roll.

The first single from the new album, “Running,” was released earlier this year, and it’s a fast-paced ballad that showcases how well this five-piece band is able to harmoniously combine five voices into one sound. While the song’s lyrics detail thoughts of death and disappointment, listeners are left with a feeling of inspiration and hope, as in the closing lyrics, “don’t stop running.”

Live, The Lonely Wild take you along with them on a road trip through true Americana. Many of their songs begin quietly and simply, with an almost haunting sound. However, there is nothing quiet in the builds of each song, some ending with the entire band howling onstage while the audience stands transfixed. The band members play each song as if their lives depended upon this performance. If you are a fan of thumping crescendos a la Band of Horses, or the genre melding of recent Mumford & Sons, you will definitely want to pick up a ticket to this show.

Wednesday, July 8, at Schubas, 3159 N Southport, 9 p.m., $15, 18+

By: Lucy Rendler Kaplan