Milwaukee – Even though Zeds Dead and Capital Cities were playing shows on the upper levels of The Eagles Ballroom, The Wild Feathers managed to pack the ground floor of The Rave. Wisconsin concertgoers filled out the old dive bar that seemed especially fitting for a good ole Southern rock ‘n’ roll band and presented fans with the opportunity to get up close and personal with a group destined for larger stages.

Vocalists and guitarists Ricky Young, Joel King, Taylor Burns, and Preston Wimberly, make up The Wild Feathers, along with drummer Ben Dumas. These Texas natives (with the exception of Oklahoman Joel) grew up with a mix of classic rock and country. They mix those roots with modern touches to create kick-ass rock filled with layered guitars and weaving vocals. Each of these seasoned musicians sought out a band that meshed new and old while showcasing multiple vocalists with no set lead or ego, to create what Young deemed “something bigger than any one of us individually,” while writing “great songs that last the test of time.” In Nashville they found each other and the magic that is The Wild Feathers was born. Last Fall they released their self-titled debut through Warner Bros. Records and set off on tour with Gary Clark, Jr. This time around the rising rock and roll band headlined, with Desert Noises and The Apache Relay in tow, for the ultimate trifecta!

The Wild Feathers started their set off with “Hard Times” and harmonized vocals. They played plenty of songs off The Wild Feathers, including “American,” “Kitchen Breeze,” and “I’m Alive.” The five-piece also played two new songs: “Christine” and “Lonely Is A Lifetime.” The latter left many in awe. The sweet guitar chords and perfect harmonizing left mouths hanging open.

The band performs with so much heart. Wimberly masterfully plays slide guitar and pedal steel, but Young, King, and Burns also magically play their guitars with ease and warmth. You can feel the love flowing from their guitars. At times the kids up front looked as if they might burst into tears! Lest not forget drummer Ben Dumas. He looked like he was having the time of his life behind his kit, jumping up from his stool, banging his head to the beat, and flashing wicked smiles and animated expressions.

Excitement radiated from the crowd, too. Especially when The Wild Feathers began to play “Left My Woman.” People sang along word for word. During the final chorus, the band went silent while fans half sang, half shouted, “Left my woman at home / All my money is gone / I can’t stand it, leaving you alone / Left my woman.”

Joel King thanked the room for coming out and listening to rock and roll when they could’ve been listening to EDM. Applause and cheers followed, showing thanks to The Wild Feathers for bringing a little Nashville to Milwaukee, especially since it may be a while till they return; Young told fans that upon completing this tour, the band would be taking some time off from the road to begin recording their sophomore album.

The night ended with a cover of The Band’s “The Weight.” Desert Noises and The Apache Relay joined The Wild Feathers on stage for a splendid sing-along. The crowd swayed back and forth, with beers in hand, singing, “Take a load off, Fanny / Take a load for free / Take a load off, Fanny /And you put the load right on me.

Fellow Tennessee musicians The Apache Relay warmed up the room with their indie folk rock. Michael Ford Jr. formed The Apache Relay while still in college in 2009. He eventually dropped out of school to focus on music with his expanded band, that includes his brother Ben Ford, Mike Harris, Brett Moore, Kellen Wenrich, and Steve Smith. The band has seen a lot of love from critics. They’ve also toured with Mumford & Sons and played Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and Voodoo Music Experience.

The Apache Relay played songs off their debut, American Nomad, including “Sets Me Free,” as well as newer songs off the recent release The Apache Relay (Nomadic Records/So Recordings), like “Ruby” and “Valley of the Fevers.” When the Nashville band played their dreamy single “Katie Queen of Tennessee,” the audience went crazy! Three girls up front screamed before singing along word for word to catchy retro vibing tune, while recording it all on their phones, like modern American Bandstand fangirls.

The young men of Desert Noises looked totally grunge and had the kids up front going crazy like they were at a punk show, but the Utah band blends soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock with hints of folk and country to create mind-blowing indie rock. Kyle Henderson (vocals & rhythm guitar), Patrick Boyer (lead guitar), Tyler Osmond (bass & vocal harmonies), and Brennan Allen (drums) have spent the last three years touring and fine-tuning their sound. This past March they released their sophomore album 27 Ways (SQE Music), featuring “Out Of My Head” and “Mice In the Kitchen.”

Henderson introduced “What the World Made” with its hilarious background story: “This song is about stealing change from a fountain and driving to the nearest Wendy’s to buy food with that change!” Henderson brought humor and fun to the night, especially when he jumped off stage in the middle of a song to take a selfie with a girl in the crowd.

Preston from The Wild Feathers came up and played his pedal steel guitar on “Follow You Out.” Kellen Wenrich of The Apache Relay also joined Desert Noises on stage to add a little fiddle, proving the three bands to be the perfect combination and making for an excellent tour bill.

The Wild Feathers are finishing up their North American tour. Follow The Wild Feathers on facebook to stay up to date on future tour and album announcements. You can purchase The Wild Feathers on iTunes.

Photos By Sarah Hess

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Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.


You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.

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