We Are The Willows’ Video “Dear Ms. Branstner” Debuts

WE ARE THE WILLOWS PREMIER ZACH JOHNSTON (PHOX) DIRECTED
MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SINGLE “DEAR MS. BRANSTNER”

ANNOUNCE UPCOMING FALL MIDWEST TOUR DATES

NEW ALBUM PICTURE (PORTRAIT) PT. 1 OUT NOVEMBER 4TH
VIA THE HOMESTEAD RECORDS

Minneapolis based six-piece We Are The Willows are proud to debut the music video for their song “Dear Ms. Branstner”, from the new album Picture (Portrait) Pt. 1, out November 4th on The Homestead Records. The lyrics and inspiration for all the songs comprising Picture (Portrait) Pt. 1,are derived from a series of 350 letters written by songwriter/frontman Peter Miller’s grandfather to his grandmother while he was stationed in the Southwest Pacific during World War II.

The video for “Dear Ms. Branstner” was directed by Zach Johnston of the band PHOX and filmed in Fort Snelling National Cemetery where Miller’s grandfather’s ashes are buried. The video also features photos from throughout Miller’s grandparents’ history of war, courtship, and later family life. Says Johnson of the video’s production “I felt a bigger responsibility making this video than I normally would with other bands. This song (and album) are about Peter’s family, and the pressure to honor that story and create something universal was very real for me. I tried to tell a linear story about a couple meeting at a young age (during war time), falling in love, creating a family, and growing old together.” All animation featured in the video was done by Zach Johnston and Michael Doyle Olson.

We Are The Willows’ orchestral indie-rock ensemble features Miller’s unique countertenor voice and guitar, supported by Jeremiah Satterthwaite (guitar/banjo), Leah Ottman (violin/voice/keys), Hilary James (cello/voice/keys), Travis Collins (bass), and Stephen Lindquist (drums/voice). Together they craft dynamic, intimate songs with instruments and voices combining to create energetic rhythms and intricate melodies. Their heartfelt arrangements evoke shared nostalgic feelings of love and loss.

Past efforts from We Are The Willows have received kind words and attention from the likes of Magnet Magazine, local NPR affiliate 89.3 The Current, Minneapolis City Pages, Daytrotter, and PASTE Magazine who named them a Minnesota band to watch.

www.wearethewillows.com

Upcoming Tour Dates:

OCTOBER
18 – Madison, WI – Memorial Union (Der Rathskeller)

NOVEMBER
01 – Duluth, MN – Redstar
07 – Winona, MN – Ed’s No Name Bar
08 – La Crosse, WI – The Root Note
13 – Menomonie, WI – UW-Stout, Blue Devil Productions
14 – Eu Claire, WI – The House of Rock
15 – Des Moines, IA – The Vaudeville Mews

DECEMBER
13 – Saint Paul, MN – The Turf Club