Denver-based Wovenhand makes first Billings appearance

Wovenhand frontman David Eugene Edwards (photo by Mark Holthusen)

Fronted by David Eugene Edwards, Denver group Wovenhand appears at the Railyard on Monday.

The group is touring in support of their seventh studio release, The Threshingfloor, an American folk music album with dark undercurrents throughout. The album sounds like something that could come leaking out of Ian Curtis’ basement, while at the same time could have been produced across the western plains in the 1800s.

Edwards formed Wovenhand in 2001 after disbanding his former band, 16 Horsepower. Wovenhand is his main vehicle for music, though he doesn’t describe the formation as a band.

“I don’t call it a solo project, either,” Edwards explained. “The people change, and we create music in many different forms.” A self-taught musician, Edwards began playing drums at age 9, and picked up guitar, banjo, piano and other instruments afterward.

“Just basically any instrument that I liked like the sound of I would try and make myself happy with the sounds. I don’t necessarily know how to play it. I do it to my own satisfaction.

Of the Rocky Mountain west, Edwards said the environment certainly influences his music. I don’t think there is any way it cannot,” he said. “All my history and learning and what I know of the world came from here. The landscape, the people, family—it is a major influence on what I do.”

Released in the summer on Sounds Familyre Records, The Threshingfloor is themed around spiritual and global influences inspired by Edwards travels and his investment in different forms of traditional and folk music.

“Every country has their types of music. I have always been interested in that and the commonalities and difference between them all,” Edwards said. From African rhythms to native America song, as well as Scandinavian and Celtic influences, Edwards melds these various sounds together into a brooding collection of folk-inspired tunes.

Wovenhand—and before that 16 Horsepower—has a strong European following, and Edwards has spent a large amount of time overseas touring.

“Just after our first album came out with 16 Horsepower the interest was strong for us to come play,” Edwards explained. “We toured America quite extensively, but it didn’t quite click. We do have fans here, but have continued to play overseas and our fan base continues to grow.”

Opening for Wovenhand for this tour is Alternative Tentacles’ recording artists Git Some. The groups perform Monday, Jan. 17 at the Railyard, starting at 7 p.m.

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