Brothers to play Bishop

They’ve been lauded left and right, coast to coast and by both the Seattle Times and the New York Times. They were featured on NPR in June. They’ve traveled from state to state since their tour began last week, and Friday they’ll drop into Bloomington.

At 8 p.m., The Wood Brothers will bring their roots-oriented, blues and folk-style music to The Bishop.

“Their music requires an intimate space. We’ll provide it,” Bishop owner Stephen Westrich said.

Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased at The Bishop, Landlocked Music, TD’s and the Buskirk-Chumley Box Office.

Brothers Chris and Oliver Wood perform with drummer Jano Rix.
The brothers split paths for 15 years and played in different bands in different parts of the country.

While Oliver dove into Motown, R&B, funk, soul and country on guitar, Chris tackled jazz, funk, blues and experimental noise on bass.

“We established our own styles,” Oliver Wood said. “It was fun to bring those styles together and create a unique sound.”

Clay Cook, who has worked with musical acts like John Mayer and Sugarland, will open for The Wood Brothers.

He’s toured with the band in the past and assisted with their most recent album, “Smoke Ring Halo,” both musically and in engineering.

“We have a nice musical bond with Clay on several levels,” Oliver Wood said after describing Cook as a talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist.
At the end of each night on tour, Cook joins The Wood Brothers with his steel guitar for a few songs.

“They’re my favorite so far for touring with,” Cook said of The Wood Brothers.
The musicians have had sold-out shows since their tour began, playing to a mix of old fans and fresh faces.

“We expect a great crowd,” Westrich said.

The Wood Brothers’ music is rooted in a few different areas, Cook said, with an old-time blues feel that’s more Robert Johnson-style than Chicago-based.

“They definitely have a pop sensibility as well, and amazing lyrics,” Cook added.

His own music is a solid combination of Americana and pop sensibilities, with hooks, choruses, stories and lyrics people can sing along to, Cook said.

The performance will include songs from across the spectrum of The Wood Brothers’ discography, Oliver Wood said, but will feature many of their newer songs.

“Our drummer (Jano Rix) is an amazing addition, too. He also does keyboards and vocals,” Oliver Wood said. “He’s a fun guy to watch.”

The Wood Brothers and Clay Cook are recording their tour shows. For Cook, the audio will lead to some live tracks.

For The Wood Brothers, it will culminate in a live record.    
“Their music moves you as an everyday person,” Cook said. “And, at the same time, it blows you away if you’re a musician.”