Nationally Touring Singer Songwriter duo
Bill and Kate Isles
Friday, March 26th 7:30PM
$12 advance $15 door, $12 seniors
"Matching Baggage"
Bill Isles performed his first show of original songs in twenty-five years in February of 2000. Since that time, he has become one of the most well known singer/songwriters in the Minnesota acoustic scene and has been getting national and international attention. He and his wife Kate Isles, come to the Old Town Center for the Arts in Old Town Cottonwood, on Friday March 26th at 7:30PM.
Bill’s songs are down-to-earth poetic reflections of life experiences and often explore adventurous metaphorical worlds. These worlds vary greatly in scope and texture such as the differences between the clever honky-tonk ambiguity of "The Hole in Our Town" and the enchanting feel of "Sistine Chapel", both from his 2003 release "The Threshold".
Each of his compositions provides a spectrum of interpretation opportunities, as well, as demonstrated by "Sistine Chapel". At first, you might conclude that the song is a first-person account of Michelangelo’s first visit to scope out the project at the Sistine Chapel, but you start to realize that, perhaps, this is also an artist’s perception of entering the “chapel” of his/her audience. Then, again, it also hints at the intimate interaction of lovers. It is this multi-layering that has drawn fans to listen over and over again, and to describe his live performances as "mesmerizing" and “transcendent” not to mention, “very funny”.
His love of life and command of language have strong roots in his childhood, but his urgency to tell these stories comes from an experience in 1993 when, with just enough warning to drive himself to the hospital, his heart stopped beating. He arrived with just ten minutes to spare. After being defibrillated, and before the doctors had time to detect and open a blocked artery in his heart, he made a commitment to himself that, if he survived, he would begin to write again. Those paddles restarted his heart in more ways than one.
Kate Isles was a closet singer/songwriter, full-time wine representative and dedicated single-mom when she came to a CD release concert for Bill's first CD, “Weightless” after hearing a radio interview. She bought the CD and signed up on his e-mail list. "Grounds for marriage!” quips Bill.
Their relationship began soon afterwards with afternoon sessions with guitars, harmonies and coffee. They've been together ever since, marrying in May of 2004. While Bill initially toured solo, Kate is becoming an integral part of the act, with extensive duo touring planned for 2008 to support their upcoming duet album, “Matching Baggage” which will include several songs that they’ve co-written. The response has been very positive with many comments about the "perfect blend of two voices". "I'm honored to hear such things," said Kate, "it reflects the wonderful relationship that we've enjoyed."
Tickets are available online at showtix4u.com
and at our Ticket Outlets 2 weeks in advance of show
Bill and Kate Isles
"Matching Baggage"
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