Audio By Carbonatix
Willie Wisely has paid his dues. Hailing from the same 1980s Midwest scene that spawned the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and the Violent Femmes, Wisely has had a career that’s been as storied as it’s been criminally neglected. He got his start as a promoter at the well-known Minneapolis institution First Avenue and the 7th Street Entry before releasing a string of albums with the Willie Wisely Trio and on his own. Although his British Invasion influences are obvious, he’s taken them a step further toward a distinctive power-pop sound recalling Big Star and Badfinger. After two solo albums, Wisely largely disappeared from the world of music for nearly a decade. In 2006, he resurfaced with the darkly gorgeous Parador. Released on Not Lame, Bruce Brodeen’s Fort Collins-based imprint, the record showcased Wisely’s new sound, which could be considered bleakly melancholic were it not for his perfect tonal inflections, which conjure the beauty of cloudy spring days.
When news happens, Westword is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $50,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community. If Westword matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
