When I first heard House Of Wolves‘ music, I imagined myself sitting around a camp fire, in the hazy dusk of a warm evening with the sweet smell of summer and sound of content crickets all around. Rey Villalobos, the man behind the music, is an old hand at this chilled and soothing sound; having grown up a classical pianist, his music oozes class and composure and as a result comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver.
House of Wolves’ debut album Fold in the Wind – produced and mixed by John Askew (The Dodos, Alela Diane) in Portland Oregon (where the band was formed) – is a compact album showcasing the bands talent and individuality. Songs such as Roses in the Nordic Countries and Acres Of Fire show a mystic and ethereal nature with numerous instruments and diverse sounds all intermingling to create a very romantic and imaginative affair.
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The lead single from the album Follow Me is idyllic and poetic, expressive of the wide
influences this band draws upon with Rey’s primary influence being Chopin. Rey has toured with similar artists to himself over the past few years throughout the US and Europe, St.Vincent, Villagers and Laura Gibson to name but a few. The album Fold In The Wind is available to download or purchase now and in the slight chance that some of you reading this may live in either Hawaii or Chicago you can catch House of Wolves there on the 6th of April and the 28th of May!!
Ellie Witt.
House Of Wolves Inspired Playlist
1. Bon Iver – I Can’t Make You Love Me (Cover)
2. Ray Lamontagne – Shelter
3. Jeff Buckley – Grace
4. Blackchords – Broken Bones
5. Elliott Smith – Waltz #2
