Ricky Young, Joel King, Taylor Burns and Preston Wimberly, grew up steeped in music; playing solo gigs, touring with local bands and working at venues. The four guys came together in Austin in 2010 through coincidence, mutual friends, and a shared love of the classics: Petty, Dylan, Cash, The Band, Allman Bros, Neil Young and Willie Nelson. They immediately began playing together
and became The Wild Feathers. The young band spent the next year writing and defining their sound and touring around the country, sharing the stage with Delta Spirit, Surfer Blood and The Heavy, even landing an opening spot on Paul Simon’s 2011 fall tour.
The Wild Feathers are a truly American band: their music takes elements of the best of rock, country, folk and blues music and reshapes it in a way that is both unique and modern. Catch them at Smith’s Olde Bar tonight, next Tuesday February 12th, or Wednesday, March 6th! Tickets are $5 at the door.
We caught up with Joel before their show tonight!
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
The first gig I ever went to was “1964 the tribute”. I was obsessed with the Beatles and my parents took me to see this tribute band and I was a hooked.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
The best gig that I’ve played was probably opening for Paul Simon in Hollywood, Florida. It was a sold out stadium on the last night of the tour. It was nice because being the last night, there was an after party where we got to hang with Paul. Good show, good people, good food and drinks, plus we were staying in a casino.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
Best gig I’ve seen is a hard question. Probably when I saw Beck with the Flaming Lips opening and playing as Beck’s backing band. Or Petty at the Hollywood Bowl.
Gig you would most like to play?
Saturday Night Live.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I would have to go classic with McCartney, Petty, Stones, Neil, Zep and Dylan. Maybe Grohl, Jack White and Ryan Adams too, but we play in the middle.
