We Are the Willows - Picture (Portrait) 

About

"One of Paste Magazine's 12 Minnesota Bands You Should Listen To Now" "In the hands of [WATW], it becomes a story not just about his grandparents, but about anyone who has ever been pushed down into the darkness and pulled out again." - Andrea Swensson, MPR

We Are The Willows is an orchestral indie rock band based out of South Minneapolis. The 6-piece ensemble features songwriter/frontman Peter Miller's unique countertenor voice and guitar, supported by Jeremiah Satterthwaite (guitar/banjo), Leah Ottman (violin/voice/keys), Hilary James (cello/voice/keys), Travis Collins (bass), and Stephen Lindquist (drums/voice). We Are The Willows craft dynamic, intimate songs with instruments and voices combining to create energetic rhythms and intricate melodies. Their heartfelt arrangements evoke shared nostalgic feelings of love and loss.

In November of 2014 the band released Picture (Portrait) Pt. 1, based off of 350 letters written by Peter's grandfather to his grandmother while he was stationed in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Their correspondence inspired Peter to explore themes of family, separation, life, death, and identity in a time of national and personal crisis. The songs communicate complex ideas delivered with pop-sensible charm.

Drawing from these letters, the band explores concepts of storytelling, history, and family through workshops and performances for seniors, students and community members of all backgrounds and abilities. The band members have extensive experience as educators, working in special education and managing an elementary after school program, and have developed arts activities that facilitate participation in music and the arts and encourage self-expression and exploration.

This event features free education and outreach activities, led by artists.

Ticket Prices:
$15