Monday, October 5, 2015

New CD Release: Inspirational Folk Rock with Cello Infusion




Press Release for Immediate Release


Click here for pdf-version

Asheville/Candler, NC, in October 2015


The way music is produced, recorded, and above all listened to has radically changed over the last decade or two. What hasn’t changed is its effects; its intention and purpose; its role of bringing people together; its meaning to the listener.
Music evokes emotions of all kinds, unites people from around the globe peacefully, and inspires the listener to think about his or her own life, decisions, attitude toward life, and to make changes toward a better version of themselves.
The Wilhelm Brothers, a band on the rise, from Asheville, North Carolina, are fully aware of this. On their website they claim “our music aims to inspire and spread a positive, peaceful, healing message.”
The band’s recent CD release is “The Sea of the Unwritten” (digitally in April 2015, physically in August 2015). Many of the album’s 11 songs point, with their lyrics, to the unlimited possibilities of our thoughts and creativity, and how being conscious of it all can make the biggest difference in co-creating our own reality and make dreams come true.
WilhelmBrothersSeaOfTheUnwritten.jpgFor example, the title track’s first verse calls upon our own power and ability to grow from experience and ever-developing insight: “Far beyond the sundown / With the eyes upon the wind / May you change the world / That you’re living in // Can you see a bigger picture / Year after year / Shall we walk through the garden / With no more fear.”
Singer and songwriter of The Wilhelm Brothers is mainly Chris Wilhelm. His influences range from Bob Dylan and Neil Young to modern day musical poets such as Connor Oberst. His intake of positive literature inspires song lyrics as well, such as words by Jack Canfield, Kahlil Gibran or the late Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Together with classically trained cellist Cristof Ensslin’s major influences, such as Geshe Michael Roach, Sakyong Mipham and Abraham Hicks, their song deliver on the promise of positivity.
In “Diamond Cutter” - a song obviously part-inspired by the book with the same name by the above mentioned Roach - The Wilhelm Brothers make the listener aware that “you can take a body, but you cannot take a heart.”
Their powerful messages culminate in what may be or become the album’s most favorite tune of many listeners, Long Live Your Tomorrows: “Long live your tomorrows / May you carry on / I’ve seen them weak / And I’ve seen them strong.”
The sound of the band is a unique blend of folksy-rocky singer-songwriter style, infused with the sonic beauty of Ensslin’s cello - at times plucked for an Americana-ish bass line, at times bowed for vibrant melodies and solos. The vocal harmonies are catchy, and Wilhelm’s acoustic rhythm guitar as well as classic drum beats and a solid bass guitar hold it all together.
The album was recorded by Henry Hirsch (most acclaimed for his work with Lenny Kravitz, Madonna and Vanessa Paradis) and Rachel Alina (credits include P!nk, Federico Aubele, Stephen Marley) at Waterfront Studios in Hudson, New York, an old church hall with celestial acoustics.
The Sea of the Unwritten, The Wilhelm Brothers’ third official release, is available for download on iTunes or Amazon, as physical CD’s from leading independent music distributor CDBaby.com, and for online streaming on music platforms such as Spotify or Rhapsody.
More information about The Wilhelm Brothers, including their show and tour schedule is to be found on their official webpage www.thewilhelmbrothers.com


About The Wilhelm Brothers - Folk Rock with Cello Infusion:
There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers’ Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine. They have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more.
The Asheville NC area-based act's energy is focused on this vision, having played close to 500 shows since their inception as a duo in January 2013. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down (2013) as well as their most recent full-length album The Sea of the Unwritten (2015) with long-time Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits include Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and Pearl and the Beard (as trio Wilhelm McKay with Liam McKay), and receiving terrestrial and web-radio airplay (e.g. WOXL-HD2, WSQL, WWCU, WKNC and more), TV coverage (WLOS’ morning show) as well as getting their own Pandora Radio channel.
The duo expanded into a trio in the fall of 2015 by including drummer and vocalist Tyler William Dewey. The larger setup allows for wider participation at larger stages as well festivals. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com


Media Contact:
Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Asheville’s The Wilhelm Brothers Announce CD Release and Party

Press Release for Immediate Release

Download PDF-version here

Asheville/Candler, NC, in July 2015

Asheville-area based cello-infused folk rock duo The Wilhelm Brothers are celebrating the release of their 11-song CD The Sea of the Unwritten with a party and show on the new stage of The Paintbox in the River Arts District’s Pink Dog Creative on Thursday, August 20th, 2015.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6pm, with singer-songwriter acts Asher Leigh, Kim Smith as well as Mark Goldthwaite and Tom Kirschbaum opening for the cello-guitar act from New York state (Chris Wilhelm, vocals and guitar) and Germany (Cristof Ensslin, cello and vocals), who have been calling the Asheville-area their home for over 5 years by now.

Admission to the CD release party is generally free, with a $10 donation per person suggested at the door. The hosts and performers will bring culinary delights of their own making, which will be shared potluck-style for free. Anyone is welcome to contribute to and participate at the buffet.

At the party, The Wilhelm Brothers’ new album will be officially available as CD, which was co-produced and recorded by long-time Lenny Kravitz producer Henry Hirsch (Kravitz, Madonna, Vanessa Paradis) and his assistant Rachel Alina (P!nk, Mika, Katy Perry) at Waterfront Studios, an old church in Hudson NY, Wilhelm's home town.

Local Asheville artists have done the cover art of the release. In a creative collaboration, Andrea Kulish and Holly de Saillan (both Pink Dog Creative in the River Arts District) came up with the unique art work and design.


About The Wilhelm Brothers - Folk Rock with Cello Infusion:

There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers’ Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tambourine) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine. They have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. The Asheville NC area-based act's energy is focused on this vision, having played close to 500 shows since their inception as a duo in January 2013. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down (2013) as well as their most recent full-length album The Sea of the Unwritten (2015) with long-time Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits include Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and Pearl and the Beard (as trio Wilhelm McKay with Liam McKay), and receiving radio airplay (e.g. 98.1 The River) as well as getting their own Pandora Radio channel. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com


Media Contact:

Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
Online Press Kit: http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com/p/epk-for-venuesmedia.html
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Asheville Based The Wilhelm Brothers to Record Like Lenny Kravitz

Press Release for Immediate Release

download pdf-version

Asheville, NC, October 25th 2014

After having released two EPs, Lay Your Burden Down (2013) and Like A Bird (2014), Asheville NC based folk rock band The Wilhelm Brothers are announcing to embark on their first full-length album project. "We want to do this because the songs we have written since our last studio recording have touched a lot of people," says the duo's lead singer Chris Wilhelm. The new recordings are expected to be publicly available by spring of 2015.

A 10-day studio session is planned for December of this year, ending just before Christmas. Recording engineer is long-time Lenny Kravitz producer Henry Hirsch. His assistant is Rachel Alina. She has worked with big names in the pop music world, such as P!nk, Mika and Katy Perry. This very team The Wilhelm Brothers have worked with on their successful debut EP. The recordings are to take place at Waterfront Studios in Hudson NY, Wilhelm's home town.

"We repeatedly receive requests for our [unreleased] songs, like Long Live Your Tomorrows and A Most Curious Thing, in recorded form," comments the duo's cellist Cristof Ensslin. He adds: "This is what we want to deliver: a beautiful recording of the best and most-sought after of our new songs."


The Wilhelm Brothers - Folk Rock with Cello Infusion:
There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tamburin) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine in early 2012. Since then, they have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. The Asheville NC area-based duo's energy is focused on this vision, playing over 200 shows per year. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down with Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits inlcude Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and The Westbound Rangers, and receiving radio airplay including getting their own Pandora Radio channel. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com

Media Contact:
Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
Online Press Kit: http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com/p/epk-for-venuesmedia.html
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Asheville Band Releases 2nd CD

Press Release for Immediate Release

download pdf-version

Asheville, NC, and Knoxville, TN, August 7th 2014

On September 4th, 2014, Asheville-based cello-guitar folk rock duo The Wilhelm Brothers is releasing their second CD. It is the recording of a high-energy 5-song live radio show on WDVX Blue Plate Special from April 2013. The tracks were mastered by Rachel Alina (credits include Katy Perry, Mika), who had already mastered the Eastern-US touring band's first release in spring of 2013. The official release is happening - appropriately - at yet another performance of The Wilhelm Brothers on the Knoxville TN radio's lunch hour show, which is open to the public at the Knoxville Visitor Center.

After playing as many as 217 shows in 2013, the bands' lead singer Chris Wilhelm says: "We feel like this live recording is a great snapshot of that year." It includes live versions of previously released songs as well as two unreleased songs. In the evening of the release day, the release party will be held near Knoxville. "The Bunk House in Bulls Gap is one of our favorite venues: great people in a rustic listening room setting. Just perfect," adds cellist Cristof Ensslin. Doors open at 7, show is at 8, $5 cover.

Until August 17th, The Wilhelm Brothers are asking backers for pledges to fund the CD release via a Kickstarter-campaign. Besides the CD (physical copy or download), the rewards include artisan bread and vegan chocolate cakes made by passionate baker Ensslin. Also available are songwriting sessions with the band's main songwriter Wilhelm. Full campaign details are available under http://kck.st/1p2giWH.


The Wilhelm Brothers - Folk Rock with Cello Infusion:
There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tamburin) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine in early 2012. Since then, they have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. The Asheville NC area-based duo's energy is focused on this vision, playing over 200 shows per year. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down with Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits inlcude Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and The Westbound Rangers, and receiving radio airplay including getting their own Pandora Radio channel. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com

Media Contact:
Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
Online Press Kit: http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com/p/epk-for-venuesmedia.html
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Southern Appalachian Brewery team up with The Wilhelm Brothers to raise funds for Children’s Cancer Association

Press Release for Immediate Release


Asheville, NC, and Hendersonville, NC, June 29th, 2014


Music is medicine. Science has proven the healing power of music. Children’s Cancer Association states on their website: “Music does more than just fill an environment; it transforms it.” So, they came up with a program called MusicRx. In it, kids affected by and in treatment to rid the tumor get to learn and play music.
In an online concert weekend organized by completely volunteer-powered Artists 4 Life out of Boston MA, Southern Appalachian Brewery and The Wilhelm Brothers are raising funds to benefit the MusicRx program. It will be a live show videocasted online worldwide through Artists 4 Life’s online platform. Hendesonville’s craft brewery is hosting the show on Sunday, July 20th 2014, 5pm. They will donate a percentage of their sales that day. The Asheville-based cello-guitar folk rock duo is dedicating all tips during the live broadcast to the cause. The brewery’s taproom as well as The Wilhelm Brothers’ show are family-friendly. Admission is free.


Show Details:
Sunday, July 20th, 2014
5-7pm at Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St, Hendersonville NC
5-6pm live online broadcast of the show on http://www.justin.tv/artists4life
Free admission, family-friendly


Media Contact:Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715


The Wilhelm Brothers Folk Rock with Cello Infusion

There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tamburin) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine in early 2012. Since then, they have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. The Asheville NC area-based duo's energy is focused on this vision, playing over 200 shows per year. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down with Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits inlcude Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and The Westbound Rangers, and receiving radio airplay including getting their own Pandora Radio channel. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com

Thursday, June 5, 2014

A Gaffney Evening of Contemporary Folk Music

Press Release for Immediate Release

Download pdf-version

Asheville, NC, and Gaffney, SC, June 5th, 2014

Music venues not only present invigorating music to their audiences, but they also introduce musicians to each other. That is exactly what NYC’s American Folk Art Museum did in December 2013 when the New York-based singer-songwriter, Kira Velella, called “the answer to modern folk music”, and the Western North Carolina-based duo, The Wilhelm Brothers, dubbed “a sound so relevant of today”, shared the stage together. When Kira mentioned to The Wilhelm Brothers that she is touring the Southeast, The Wilhelm Brothers - Chris and Cristof - gladly and excitedly jumped on the opportunity to present Kira Velella to the Capri audience. So, once again, the musicians will come together for a show at the historic theater, Capri on Main, in Gaffney, SC. They are delighted to cast a musical net on each one of us as they sing and perform their original music. Do join the show on July 12th for A Gaffney Evening of Contemporary Folk Music.

Show Details:
July 12th, 2014. 
Capri on Main, 302 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC. 
7pm Doors. 8pm Show.
$8 per person / $12 for couples.

Media Contact:Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
Online Press Kit: http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com/p/epk-for-venuesmedia.html
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

The Wilhelm Brothers Folk Rock with Cello Infusion
There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tamburin) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine in early 2012. Since then, they have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. The Asheville NC area-based duo's energy is focused on this vision, playing over 200 shows per year. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down with Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits inlcude Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and The Westbound Rangers, and receiving radio airplay including getting their own Pandora Radio channel. http://www.thewilhelmbrothers.com

Kira Velella Singer+Songwriter of the Folkish Persuasion
Kira has been writing and performing for audiences around the country since she was 17. At times solo, and others, accompanied by tasty, textural electric guitar. "Vulnerable and beautiful" says Post Grad Music Reviews. "The answer to modern folk music," says TheMostIndietastic.com. It's for your old soul and inner child, and with instruments of choice guitar and voice, she will sing you safely through. Kira currently lives and plays in NYC. She's played at antifolk venue, Sidewalk Cafe, listening room, Caffe Vivaldi, as well as renowned songwriter showcases such as Homegrown Music Cafe and LIVE at Deepwell's on LI. http://www.kiravelella.com/

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Ice Cream and Happy Folk

Press Release for Immediate Release

Ice Cream and Happy Folk

Asheville NC, May 14th, 2014

On Tuesday, June 3rd, Asheville's The Hop Ice Cream on Merrimon is hosting The Wilhelm Brothers's cello-infused folk rock music show. Live music starts at 6.30 pm. It's a one-hour long family-friendly show. Admission is free.

While the Asheville-area-based band is announcing details on their current recording project during the event, the evening is about the people listening. The Wilhelm Brothers' aim is to touch people's heart. “Our music has been called happy folk,” says the band’s main songwriter and lead vocalist Chris Wilhelm. And cellist Cristof Ensslin adds: “It’s wonderful to see how the smiles spread through the room.” - whether caused by the music or the ice cream.

***
About The Wilhelm Brothers:
The Wilhelm Brothers – Folk Rock with Cello Infusion
There was chemistry and musical sparks flying when The Wilhelm Brothers Chris Wilhelm (guitar/lead vocals) and Cristof Ensslin (cello/vocal harmonies/tamburin) hit off their first note together at a recording session for the song Trail Of The Lonesome Pine in early 2012. Since then, they have been sharing the same dream: to play for crowds of 10,000 and more. Their energy is focused on this vision, playing over 200 shows per year. Highlights on their journey so far are recording their debut EP Lay Your Burden Down with Lenny Kravitz-producer Henry Hirsch (other credits inlcude Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie, Madonna), opening for nationally and internationally known artist such as Takenobu, David LaMotte and The Westbound Rangers, and receiving radio airplay including getting their own Pandora Radio channel.

Media Contact:
Cristof Ensslin
828-398-4701
thewilhelmbrothers@gmail.com
The Wilhelm Brothers LLC, 95B Rutherford Rd., Candler NC 28715

Online Press Kit: