Bright Eyes & The Lumineers cover Felice Brothers for tribute

A Celebration of Soul: New Compilation Honors The Felice Brothers

Get ready for a sonic journey, because a major new compilation is set to pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Felice Brothers. Titled Felice County Fair, this collection is a rich tapestry of music featuring covers from beloved artists including Bright Eyes, Old Crow Medicine Show, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dawes, and Brandon Flowers of The Killers, alongside acts like Bebe Stockwell, Deer Tick, and The Lumineers. The album is slated for release on October 16 via Sony.

The project isn’t just a simple collection of covers; it’s a celebration of genuine song craft and deep emotional resonance. Collaborator and old friend Conor Oberst, who released their 2024 album Valley of Abandoned Songs on his Million Stars label, speaks to the sincerity behind the work. “Whatever little check marks in my heart need to be checked to make the perfect music, they check all those things,” Oberst notes. “The poetry is there, the soulfulness is there, the song craft. Everything is so genuine. I want the world for them, and I want people to have the same experience I’ve had with how they’ve transformed my life with their art.”

This feeling of connection runs deep. Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers shared a personal anecdote about music finding its way into his life through this shared appreciation for the Felice Brothers. “When Brandy and I first started dating, we each made a mix CD for each other, like a playlist. We each put Felice Brothers on our playlists. It was then I knew she was a keeper. A lot of our initial falling in love was listening to the Felice Brothers,” Schultz recalled.

The vision behind Felice County Fair stems from a heartfelt desire to honor the band. Ian Felice, one of the brothers, offered a thoughtful reflection on the creation of the tribute record and the nature of art itself. He discussed how this project came to fruition through the devotion of many musicians and producers who shared a love for their music.

Looking back on their journey, Felice reflected on the constant flux of life and art. “It’s been twenty years that we’ve been a band now and in the words of Bertolt Brecht, ‘so much has changed but nothing’s changed at all,’” he shared. He mused that while the future may be unclear, music remains vital for society, acting as an immune response to the forces of change.

Felice believes that folk songs hold a unique place in the world, residing in the land and belonging to the people. He advocates for these traditions to be passed down like family recipes, emphasizing that art serves as a powerful way for humanity to express itself amidst evolving circumstances. The spirit of the compilation, therefore, is one of timeless human expression amplified through music.

As fans eagerly await the full tracklist for Felice County Fair, the underlying message remains clear: a celebration of genuine artistry that connects generations and inspires profound feeling.