Lincoln, Nebraska-based folk/Americana trio, The Wildwoods, make their North Bay debut at 7:30pm, Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Sebastopol Community Center.
Composed of husband and wife duo Chloe Gose (violin) and Noah Gose (guitar), as well as bassist Andrew Vaggalis, The Wildwoods are embarking on an extended tour starting this week.
The group features gorgeous harmonies and modern-day lyrics mixed with an almost old-timey folk sensibility. They were fortunate to crack the always-challenging social media algorithm to get some viral love, pushing their Instagram following to nearly 250,000.
Last February, they released the album, Foxfield St. John, and already have a new album, Dear Meadowlark, in the can and dropping on Jan. 17. We had a chance to catch up with Chloe Gose as she preps for the monthslong U.S. trek.
Bohemian: Is this your first trip out to Northern California or Sebastopol?
Chloe Gose: This is actually our first time performing in Sebastopol, and we’re really excited to be there. Northern California has such a rich history of art, music and natural beauty, so we’ve always wanted to visit. We’ve heard wonderful things about the vibrant, creative community there and the stunning landscapes. We’re looking forward to exploring a bit and connecting with folks at the show—it feels like a special place to share our music.
B: You just released an album (‘Foxfield St. John’) last year, and now you have another record (‘Dear Meadowlark’) releasing this month. Were the three of you just striking while the creative iron was hot, or was there too much for the one album, so it became another album or…?
CG: It’s funny you mention that because it wasn’t exactly planned this way. Foxfield St. John came together as a culmination of songs inspired by our time on the road and the people we met along the way. Dear Meadowlark, on the other hand, is more rooted in home—Nebraska.
The two albums reflect different chapters for us. After Foxfield St. John, we realized we had this other collection of songs that shared a common thread, so we leaned into that. It felt natural to let each album stand on its own rather than trying to condense them into one project.
B: You’re diligently releasing singles right now via your website. Will these all comprise the new album, or are these something different?
CG: Yes, the singles we’re releasing right now will all be part of Dear Meadowlark, which comes out on April 11. It’s been so rewarding to share the songs gradually—each one tells its own story but also fits into the larger narrative of the album. We love giving our listeners a chance to get to know the songs one by one before hearing the full record.
B: Will copies of Dear Meadowlark be available at the show? Do you sell vinyl and other swag folks can grab?
CG: While the full album won’t be out until April, we plan to bring some Dear Meadowlark CDs with us as an exclusive pre-sale. The vinyl aren’t in yet, but will be available for pre-order. And yes, we do sell vinyl of Foxfield Saint John that will be available at the show. There’s something so special about holding an album in your hands and listening to it in its entirety—it feels like the way our music is meant to be experienced.
B: Seeing as you’re new to the area, if you met a stranger in a gas station and wanted to get them out to the show, what would your pitch be?
CG: Hey, if you’re looking for a great night of live music, you should come check out our band, The Wildwoods. We play folk music with a twist—three-part harmonies, beautiful string arrangements and heartfelt storytelling. It’s like a mix of modern Americana and the timeless sounds of artists like Watchhouse, The Milk Carton Kids and Gillian Welch.
The Wildwoods perform at 7:30pm, Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St. Tickets are $30-45 and are available online at seb.org/concerts-events.
