Lone Bellow riding high on hot new album
Band visits Fillmore in support of stellar ‘Half Moon Light’
The Lone Bellow’s newly released fourth album, “Half Moon Light,” is an early nominee for best album of 2020. It’s a sparkling collection of roots-rock nuggets and alt-country sounds, which should appeal to fans of such acts as the Hold Steady, Wilco, Jason Isbell, Avett Brothers, Bruce Springsteen and the National. The latter comparison is perhaps to be expected, given that the National’s Aaron Dessner produced “Half Moon Light.” Do yourself a favor and give it a listen — today. Then make plans to see the Brooklyn-based trio — made up of lead vocalist Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin — on Friday at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Early James is also on the bill. Showtime is 9 p.m. and tickets are $28.50 at livenation.com. We recently interviewed Williams about the new album and the band’s upcoming trip to San Francisco.
QI like to read into album titles. The title of the band’s second album, “Then Came the Morning,” is hopeful. “Walk Into the Storm” — the title of the third disc — sounds ominous. What did you want to convey by taking the title “Half Moon Light” for this album?
AOnce we finished making the record and lived with it for a few weeks we started thinking about how it made us feel and what it made us see — nighttime drives came up a lot. We started quoting lines back and forth to each other, seeing which one fit, and “Half Moon Light” was a standout. To me, I see a sharp bright moonlight shadow on the ground — the shadow of Brian’s father. Because it’s a line from “Wash It Clean,” which is a letter to his dad, who passed away a few months before we made the album.
QDo you feel an overarching theme to the album? It feels kind of big to me — life and death, rise and fall.
AIt’s definitely a tough one to try to boil down into a theme. Which I am OK with. We wanted to tell other people’s stories and we wanted to be grateful for the friends in our lives.
QYou are the primary songwriter, but how do the other members contribute to the creation/direction to the music?
AEveryone in the band could write their own album in my opinion. This band is jam-packed with talent and a good bit of honesty.
QWhat was it like working with Aaron Dessner on the album?
ALike a good hug. We’ve become good friends over the years and I knew that he was open to exploring new territory with us. He pushed this music to new places. I can’t thank him enough.
QYour vocals sound a bit different than usual on this album. Was that the plan?
AYes, I was trying to sing in a new way where I wasn’t resting on the things I’ve done in the past. I wanted to try to express myself in different ways other than singing high notes.
QWhat’s it like to perform this material in concert?
AAn absolute blast. I’m sitting in the green room about to go onstage in Denver right now and I’ve been thinking about playing these songs all day long.
QIs touring a bit different in these coronavirus days?
AIt’s definitely on our minds a good bit. Hoping we find the cure quickly.
QWhat bands would you pay to see and why?
ASo many. Wilco came to mind first because I love all the music they make and I’d love to go sing it alongside a bunch of strangers in a crowd. Q A What are your memories of San Francisco? So many incredible memories. Playing Hardly Strictly for the first time was insane. The Fillmore has become one of the places on our tours that truly feels like home. There is just something so beautiful there that you can’t put your finger on.