Going to See The Welcome Wagon

Tonight my wife and I are going to see The Welcome Wagon play an intimate show at the International Art Movement’s Space 38|39 in midtown Manhattan.  Apparently there were only 60 tickets sold.  I have no idea how I got these!

I have been listening to The Welcome Wagon’s album a lot lately prepping for the concert.  Heavily influenced by Sufjan Stevens (he produces the album, and records it, and plays on it…), the album is a compliation of intricately arranged gospel songs.  The band is a duo of a church planters, Vito and Monique Auito, who have a flock in Brooklyn.  How better to be missional then to be part of the art scene in your city?

The stand out tracks on the album for me are "He Never Said a Mublin’ Word," "Sold! To the Nice Rich Man!," and "Up on a Mountain."  "He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word" really got me in the Holy Week mindset and is a beautifully set piece that could easily be sung in church.  And in a concert hall as well.

Like the church music of the past, this music is intentionally Christian but also open to a wider audience because it is that beautiful.  That’s why people still listen to Bach and Handel even if they disagree with the lyrics and religiousity.  The same can be said of The Welcome Wagon.

For more information read:

"The Welcome Wagon: Keepers of the Faith Thrive in the Hipster’s Den" in Paste Magazine

"Album Review: The Welcome Wagon, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" in Pitchfork

"Album Review: The Welcome Wagon, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" in Christianity Today

Band Bio on Asthmatic Kitty Records