We’d be remiss in not mentioning a few recent updates on the latest projects from Will Oldham — performing both as Bonnie “Prince” Billy and under is own name: First up, Blurt reports (via Exclaim) that Oldham has recorded a narration of Rudolph “Rudy” Wurlitzer’s 1984 novel Slow Fade, the story of a 71-year-old film director of John Ford/Sam Peckinpah stature who attempts to “divest himself of illusions, to make peace with his demons and his past” while filming a western on location. On April 19, Drag City will release the Slow Fade audiobook, which also includes a performance by actor/writer/Oldham friend D.V. DeVincentis playing a screenwriter.
In other news, Bonnie “Prince” Billy & the Cairo Gang released a 10” called “Island Brothers” this week to benefit EDGE Outreach’s work in educating Haitians on water purification. The record includes 3 photos by New York Times photographer Damon Winter and performances by Oldham’s latest touring band, Ben Boye, Van Campbell, Danny Kiely, Angel Olsen, with special guest Rob Mazurek. You can purchase the 10” here and hear the gorgeous B-Side, “New Wonder,” in the thoroughly sad official video by New Jerusalem director R. Alverson below.