‘Draw the Curtains’ simple yet soulful

Singer comes to the ’burg as part of two-month promotion tour

By Anna  Young, senior writer
Posted on October 15, 2007

Nashville native Will Hoge brings easy-listening, country twang to The Pub this Wednesday, providing the perfect solution to midterm stress.

Hoge released his fourth studio album titled Draw The Curtains on Oct. 9. The album is a soulful collage of 10 songs, rooting itself in rock, soul and country influences.

Hoge, a singer and songwriter, epitomizes a passionate musician who infuses all his energy into his life’s work. His music has a reputation for being a pleasant mix between past and present, with musical influences like Bruce Springsteen and Hank Williams. His band’s instrumentals mirror such bands as Bad Company and Lifehouse.

Throughout Draw the Curtains, Hoge never seems to glamorize his musical career and sings with colloquial fervency about money problems and damaged relationships in songs like “When I Can Afford to Loose” and “Silver and Gold.”

A lot of the album’s lyrics seem to be a passionate conversation between Hoge and a nameless love interest. “These Were the Days” is an upbeat song reminiscing about past experiences with someone close.

“Sex, Lies and Money” has new-age jazz guitar riffs and a quasi-country rhythm, while “I’m Sorry Now” is a soft swooning featuring a solo acoustic guitar and violin accompaniment. In “Washed by the Water,” Hoge belts out the lyrics above a trilling keyboard and background vocals appropriate for a southern-Baptist gospel choir.

Perhaps Hoge vocalizes his life most affectionately and accurately with “The Highway’s Home.” The chorus sings: “With a suitcase full of empty dreams/ a guitar with broken strings/ a busted heart that longs to sing the Blues/ A head full of Hank Williams/ I’m sorry honey, but this highway’s home.” The song features country-style guitar twangs and the vocal variety that country singers often showcase.

Almost every song contains simple lyrics and structure, so if you’re into easy-listening tunes, Draw the Curtains is right for you. The instrumentals also seem to be elementary at times, with easy one-two drum beats. However simple the instrumentals and lyrics may be, he seems to be singing from his soul.

Hoge is currently trekking through the country on a two-month tour, playing at nearly 40 venues to promote his new album.

Hoge is playing at The Pub Wed. He is headlining the show, with special guest Alternate Routes. The show is for people ages 18 and up.

Audiences can expect an energetic and deeply expressive performance this Wednesday. Oftentimes, Hoge will give an up-close and personal performance as he sits on a stool, with an acoustic guitar in his lap and a harmonica around his neck. For a sneak peak of the single “Dirty Little War,” go to  Hoge’s Web site, willhoge.com.