Artist Biography

After 15 years as one of the most heralded honky-tonk/alt-country bands in the US and European roots scenes today,The Wilders unveils a profound and deeply personal side of the Kansas City based Ike Sheldon (guitar/vocals), Phil Wade (mandolin/dobro/banjo/vocals), Betse Ellis (fiddle/vocals) and Nate Gawron (bass/vocals). The Wilders long ago answered the questions 'Can they play?' and 'Can they sing?'. With their tenth album - all tinged with rubbed raw honesty and Ozark grit - the answer to "Well, but can they write a song?" is a resounding 'Hell yes'.

Known for their impassioned live performances at venues and festivals across the globe - "they play their wooden instruments like they're trying to set 'em on fire" (Nashville Scene) - they have brought that same fervor to The Wilders in the form of songcraft. Starting off with two songs by Nate Gawron - theobservational "Ordinary People" and the Smoky and the Banditesque "Mid-November" - The Wilders kicks up with "Riding On Your High Horse", the first of three original fiddle tunes by Betse Ellis. Up next is Phil Wade's "She Says (I Say)", a playful hillbilly love song written a couple of years ago in Scotland during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.It is, however, the epic "Get Up Kid" (written by Nate), that is the album's classic road-weary and anthemic showstopper. Other highlights include Ike Sheldon's "L.A." - a Hunter S. Thompson version of a night in the city of angels, Betse's "Things They Say About Home" - a heartbreaker about the choice between following love or dreams, and also Betse's original fiddle tune "Riverboat". It's no secret that The Wilders' lone female member has been hugely influenced by John Hartford. "Riverboat" is Betse's tribute to him and a musical expression of the peace she felt in the Louisville Belle's pilot house. There is one cover on The Wilders - "Pat's 25" by Patrick Frazier, a well-known songwriter in the Kansas City music scene and essentially an honorary member of the band. Moving through the modern day cowboy ballad like a broken down horse, Phil's dobro moans and Ike's voice cracks and burns out with emotion; you'd never know this song didn't come from The Wilders' own pen.

The Wilders have built a career and fanbase burning the house down with their versions of 50's country, early bluegrass, folk and soul and modern Americana. Through the original material found on The Wilders they continue to lift up these genres, but without limits, through their own musical influences: from punk and classical to 70's rock 'n' roll and Hank Williams. The Wilders, available now on Free Dirt Records will transcend expectations, but without setting aside the fearless rhythms, close harmony and incredible chemistry that has made the group beloved all over the world.

"Over the course of 13 songs, a vibe emerges, one that has been percolating over the previous two Wilders albums, which have showcased increasingly the band's songwriting prowess."

- Tim Finn, The Kansas City Star