Maybe Calling Themselves The Civil Wars Was The First Mistake?!

I first came across the Civil Wars via Paul Krugman. He's not exactly the first person you think of when you think of music, but every once in a while he posts videos, (usually on Fridays), and after his infatuation with Arcade Fire, he discovered the Civil Wars, and well, then, I discovered them between his posts on economics and politics.

Two people, a man and a woman, very photogenic. Two very beautiful voices. One acoustic guitar. Wonderful harmonies. Something unique and special. Maybe a little too commercial and polished for my tastes, but still, they are an impressive duo.

They rocketed to fame, riches, Grammys. And then, on tour in England they imploded. They just released a new record, but only Joy Williams is talking and promoting. John Paul White is onto other things. And not talking to his musical partner at all.

Fascinating. What killed the duo? Was it a love affair (they are both married to other people)? A power struggle (her husband is their manager)? Political - is she Republican and he a Democrat? Cultural? Or what? Who knows? And why is it fascinating?

They look like they had it all. Amazing talent. A great chemistry. Unbelievable success. And then, well, it all falls apart... and maybe it was only when they were singing, those two voices soaring that all was well.  And strangely, maybe that just wasn't enough.

And maybe all the success and ambition, the needing, wanting, grasping, and then the having... maybe it's not what you think it is...