Fraternally Yours
The Jacksons, Van Halens, Allmans, Nevilles, Avetts, hell, even the Jonasesthe list of brother bands goes on and on. Add to that register the Felices, a group of siblings from the Catskills who look like they just stepped out of a Prohibition-era speakeasy or an episode of The Waltons. Their look is in step with their sound, which hails from a simpler, bygone era of saloons and nickelodeons and pre-talkie picture shows. But The Felice Brothers are not living in the past. They are most definitely enjoying the here and now.
In the past year, The Felice Brothers have risen from the undergroundliterally, just a year ago they were busking on subway platformsto become an established touring act with two albums out and a third due in March. Their quick evolution from street performers to the opening act for Bright Eyes fall tour, and the rapid-fire succession of their releases, might be attributed to a shared history of sitting on the front porch practicing together. But thats not the case at all.
Because of our age difference [they are each about five years apart], I didnt really grow up with my brothers, says James, the youngest of the three at 21. James has called me from his current home: the bands newly acquired Winnebago. Its parked in New Paltz, outside of a cottage theyve rented where the other brothers sleep. Its freezing outside, the Winnebagos heater is broken, but James doesnt seem to mind the cold. He continues telling me how it wasnt until a couple of years ago that the three of them got together and discovered their common interest in music. They decided to form a band, which meant they had to learn to play different instruments since guitar was the only thing they all knew how to play. James picked up the accordion, and the eldest, Simonea published poet and novelistgot behind the drums. Ian started writing songs and doing most of the singing, and he got to keep the guitar. They needed a bass player, so they adopted a new brother, Christmas (who named himself after the character in Faulkners Light In August). A few months ago, they added Greg Farley on fiddle. No word on the status of his adoption papers.
The new, eponymous album is an anthology of original Americana that succeeds in marrying the disparate and contradictory feelings of jubilation and desperation. Like Bob Dylan, Ian specializes in aching croons and melancholic whispers in a voice as beautiful and coarse as rough-hewn wood, which sounds much more weathered than his 26 years. He can sound sinister and benevolent inside the same verse, and often leaves you cold and lonely like the second day of a two-day hangover. But the brothers counter the pain by summoning a carnival atmosphere, with Jamess squeezebox buoying lively choruses that are, well, felicific.
Speaking of which, I ask James where the family name comes from. Its Maltese, he says. But we have some Irish blood in us too. I suggest that may be where the character-driven storytelling of their songs comes from. James says maybe, but without a doubt thats where the drinking-driven storytelling comes from. We love to drink, he says. That should make them a good match for the swilling and swerving Drive-By Truckers, who theyll be out on the road with this spring. James agrees. Im looking forward to becoming a full-blown alcoholic on that tour, he laughs. I ask him if I can quote him on that. He pauses and thinks about it. Sure, just make sure you say he laughs.
Feb. 1, Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 11:30, $13, [SOLD OUT].