B-Side Guys

In an era when bands are increasingly forced to justify their existence in 280 characters or less, Minneapolis outfit We Are The Willows have taken the longer view. “Saturday,” a standout track from their fourth album “IV” (or “Inside Voice”), demonstrates what can happen when a band prioritizes artistic evolution over algorithmic engagement.

Led by Peter Miller’s distinctive countertenor – an instrument that floats somewhere between Jeff Buckley’s stratosphere and Anohni’s emotional depths – “Saturday” weaves brass arrangements from Adelyn Strei through an increasingly psychedelic tapestry. The track marks a significant expansion of the art-pop template the band has been refining since their 2014 debut.

Miller and cellist Hilary James (of Bathtub Cig) originally conceived these songs as a two-piece project, running vocals and strings through guitar amps in what Miller describes as “mad science.” That experimental spirit remains intact even as the full band arrangement adds new dimensions to their sonic architecture. The result is something that feels both intimate and expansive – like reading a private journal that somehow contains the secrets of the universe.

There’s an untethered optimism threading through “Saturday” that feels earned rather than imposed. The band, completed by Jeremiah Satterthwaite (guitar), Travis Collins (bass/vocals), and Josh McCay (drums), transforms what could have been a simple weekend ode into something more metaphysically ambitious. Each instrument seems to operate in its own orbital plane while maintaining a gravitational pull toward the center.

This kind of careful orchestration has become a hallmark of We Are The Willows’ sound. After garnering attention from NPR and BBC for their ambitious 2016 two-part concept album “Picture (Portrait)” (based on World War II correspondence between Miller’s grandparents), the band might have been tempted to double down on narrative complexity. Instead, they’ve turned their focus inward, creating something more abstract but no less affecting.

The track’s production maintains the intimate feel of its origins while expanding its horizons, thanks in part to the band’s collaboration with Grammy-winning engineer Brian Joseph (Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver). It’s the sound of a living room experiment that grew wings and learned to soar, without forgetting where it came from.

“Saturday” represents more than just another track in the band’s evolving catalog – it’s a testament to the power of patient artistry. After setting aside initial recordings in 2019, We Are The Willows returned to these songs with renewed purpose, allowing them to grow into their final form naturally rather than forcing them to fit predetermined dimensions.

In the Twin Cities’ rich musical ecosystem, We Are The Willows have carved out their own distinct niche. “Saturday” suggests they’re not just maintaining that space but expanding it in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable. This is the sound of a band that knows exactly where they belong, even if they had to get lost to find it.

And perhaps that’s the most remarkable thing about “Saturday” – in exploring questions of belonging and artistic purpose, We Are The Willows have created something that feels undeniably necessary. In a musical landscape increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithmic suggestions, here’s a reminder of what human collaboration can achieve when given room to breathe.