You’ll understand why Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir claim to be a country band that doesn’t play country music once you hear “Full-Handed.” The band blurs the lines of genre between folk, country, and Americana music once more in this deeply emotive and engaging song written about a dissolving marriage from the perspective of a child.
The track begins with subdued introspection lyrically and tension musically, transitioning into what might be considered acceptance before transforming into a sonically lush chorus that conveys the full burden carried by young people when their parents divorce.
Wiley (vocals, guitar), along with Eddie Dickerson (fiddle, guitar), Thomas Johnson (keyboards), and husband-and-wife rhythm section Brian ‘Piper’ Barbre (drums), and Joanna Smith (bass) push the boundaries of traditional instrumentation in “Full Handed,” achieving a 90’s ‘wall of sound’ on the choruses and ample ear candy throughout the verses. By the time the final movement of the song explodes into cacophony, somehow, the band manages to tap into a sound somewhere between Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Who.
Hailing from Northern Virginia, Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir brings their experiences as members or performers with Melodime, Stephen Kellogg, Kevin MaC, Keller Williams, Curtis Grimes, and The Dirty River Boys, as well as jazz ensembles and pit orchestras into the immersive sonic landscape of the project, and a number of newly available releases hint that a new EP or LP might find its way to our anticipating ears in the coming months.
Meanwhile, find “Full-Handed” alongside other excellent music on the Alchemical Records Spotify playlist.
Daniel Warren Hill is an American musician, writer, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the frontman for Washington DC area Alternative Rock band YellowTieGuy, as co-founder of Capitol Groove Collective, and increasing the exposure of artists on a global scale through his work with Alchemical Records.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
