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uc theatre and ivy room present

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14TH

THE DEAD TONGUES

LOU HAZEL

7pm doors / 8pm show

$18 ADV / $22 Day of Show

IVY ROOM | 21+

(rsvp on facebook)

THE DEAD TONGUES

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The Dead Tongues: A New Chapter

Ryan Gustafson, the visionary behind The Dead Tongues, has solidified his place as one of modern folk's most distinctive voices. His albums, including Dust, Unsung Passage, and Desert, are celebrated for their idiosyncratic and spectral nature, coupled with their undeniable hooks.

The latest offerings from The Dead Tongues, Body of Light and I Am a Cloud, are two sides of the same coin, exploring a diverse range of musical styles and themes. Recorded in a secluded cabin in North Carolina, these albums showcase Gustafson's raw talent and his ability to craft intricate and emotionally resonant songs.

Collaborating with a talented group of musicians, including Jenn Wasner, Mat Davidson, Matt Douglas, Joe Westerlund, and Jeff Ratner, Gustafson has created a body of work that is both familiar and groundbreaking. The albums seamlessly blend elements of folk, rock, and experimental music, resulting in a sound that is both accessible and challenging.

Whether it's the heartfelt melodies of "Daylily" or the introspective musings of "I'm a Cloud Now," Gustafson's songwriting continues to captivate listeners. His ability to weave together personal narratives and universal themes creates a deeply resonant listening experience.

With Body of Light and I Am a Cloud, The Dead Tongues have once again proven their ability to push the boundaries of folk music and create something truly special.

LOU HAZEL

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Lou Hazel was born in the town of Olean, New York to a family of northeastern wiseacres.

Not one to commit, he skirted the compulsive hunting and fishing tradition held close to his father’s heart - instead cultivating a sensitivity more suited to artists and vagabonds. As a result, his travels brought him across the country and eventually through debilitating depression before coming to rest with a sense of personal peace and positivity in Durham, NC.

Yet, Lou’s brain is still a bat cave. Mostly, he wakes up with no idea what he’s going to do next, then finds himself there. In songwriting, he pulls from this cave rambling, heartfelt tales flowing through unselfconscious truth. In illustrations, he swirls and meanders towards an eventual finish only understood upon completion – as in his music. And in his photography and design work, he renders the essence of fellow musicians into expressive, personalized works of art.

Today, Louie continues crafting genuine folk tales of honest longing, disquieting loss, and nostalgia through a brilliant sheen of fresh insight with humble humor. Grabbing us by the ears in a new-age, Prine-like grip. Transforming the minutiae of everyday life into ever more evocative music. And surprising us all, including himself, with where we emerge.

In other words, Lou Hazel is coming out of this unbearable, unbelievably tragic, disconcerting year like a damn newborn moth with jet engine wings aimed toward a totally full super-moon. And it is good.