Interview: Willie Nile (@ The Hamilton Live, 8/28/21)

Posted on 08/25/2021 by Mark Engleson in Interview, Preview and tagged Americana, New York City, punk, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live, Willie Nile.

Willie Nile (Photos by Cristina Arrigoni)

Willie Nile is a man all about New York City, his longtime home. The man about town was in the process of releasing an album about New York City, titled New York at Night, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world and put things on hold.

In May 2020, Willie released that album. Not long before he did so, he chatted with Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson. Now, Willie is back with another album about the place he loves to live — The Day the Earth Stood Still, his 14th studio album, which was released on Aug. 13.

Willie is on tour again with a stop at The Hamilton Live in DC on Saturday, Aug. 28. But Parklife has been sitting on this unpublished interview from when Willie was promoting New York at Night. And in this interview, Willie chats about how much he also loves DC. So with no further ado, we present this chat and strongly suggest you catch Willie live at The Hamilton this weekend.

Live Review: Willie Nile @ Jammin’ Java — 11/24/19

Posted on 11/29/2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Americana, Jammin' Java, New York City, punk, roots, Willie Nile.

Willie Nile (Photo by Christina Arrigoni)

Some musicians find their desire to make art stifled. Following a contract dispute with his original record label, Willie Nile spent a couple decades working, as he said, “a day job.” But Willie, who comes from a family of musicians — his uncles worked in vaudeville — never gave up on his dreams. He kept writing songs, and would occasionally perform on the East Coast and in Europe.

Live Review: Willie Nile @ The Hamilton Live — 4/20/19

Posted on 04/24/2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Americana, Ben Eisendrath, New York City, punk, roots, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live, Willie Nile.

Willie Nile performs at The Hamilton Live on April 20, 2019. (Photo by Ben Eisendrath/Instagram+Twitter: Insomnigraphic/GrillworksBen)

Willie Nile bridges the chasm that lies between Bob Dylan and The Clash. He ties intelligent, literate lyrics to frenetic melodies and crashing rhythms. Talk to Willie, and the F-bomb may pop out of his craggy face. Willie turns 71 in June, and he’s still active and creative — maybe more than ever. His creativity was on display at The Hamilton Live recently.

Music Park: Willie Nile @ Jammin’ Java — 11/23/18

Posted on 11/26/2018 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged Americana, folk, Jammin' Java, New York City, roots, Willie Nile.

Willie Nile performs at the 100 Club in London on Nov. 19, 2013. (Photo by markheybo)

Veteran rocker Willie Nile and his band played Vienna’s Jammin Java on Friday on the heels of Thanksgiving. Spirits were already high after the holiday, and Willie and the boys put on a energetic show, filled with new songs and old favorites. Willie may be 70, but he remains youthful and energetic on stage, still brimming with rock ’n’ roll swagger, and he moves like a man half his age.