Will Oldham is a man of many names -- and fans

Ross Raihala, The Olympian

Originally published Friday, March 29, 2002

These days, singer Will Oldham prefers to be known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Will Oldham is a man of mystery. And that's the way he likes it.

Over the course of a decade, the Kentucky native has released a long series of albums under a variety of guises, including endless variations on the word "Palace": Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, Palace Music, Palace Live and just plain old Palace.

As of late, Oldham -- who occasionally records under his actual name -- prefers to be known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy. He'll headline an evening of music Saturday in downtown Olympia.

Oldham is a notoriously difficult interview subject and reclusive individual. And when he does talk, he doesn't say much.

"It's not just during interviews," he told one reporter last year.

Why is that?

"I don't know. It's just how people feel. It's a common criticism of me all the time."

Oldham would rather let his music do the talking for him. And while occasionally that music raises eyebrows -- such as the notorious "The Mountain Low," in which Oldham announces he'd like to, uh, make love to a mountain -- he has earned a serious worldwide cult following.

Critics have long praised Oldham for his take on Depression-era country and blues. Johnny Cash, Sally Timms, Sebadoh and the Frames are among the acts who have recorded Oldham's songs.

Bjork loves him, as does Polly Jean Harvey, who has spoken of recording a collection of country duets with Oldham in the style of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.

Oldham, meanwhile, has said he prefers to keep his profile low. Audiences of more than 300 don't interest him.

"I'd like my records to reach as many people as possible," Oldham recently said. "But I'm also thinking in terms of how I can keep from getting jaded or unhappy with the process."

And that's where the Bonnie "Prince" Billy name came into play. Oldham invented it after a particularly grueling tour of Europe and Australia.

"In that period of time, I had to figure out everything that was negative about the approach, and then try to erase the burden aspect of everything.

"And in order to do that I needed a friend, and that was who Bonny Billy was."

Will Oldham: Man of mystery.

On the Web:

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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