Bare Common

Artist Information

Biography

Tom and Steve filter their experiences through the musical lenses of classic pop and rock, acoustic folk and alternative country. Listeners say they've heard echoes of Simon and Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers in Bare Common's performances.

Bare Common takes its name from the essay "Nature" by American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. It describes both a place and a moment when the ecstacy of existence and inspiration strikes.

Bare Common also describes the duo's performing and songwriting approach. As musicians, they opt for a straightforward presentation of their songs. As songwriters, they use the building blocks of daily life to present their experience in unadorned ways, striving for something that is both personal and universal.

Instrumentation

On their debut CD (available at amazon.com and cdbaby.com), Steve Horner plays guitar, keyboards and drums. Tom Wilkowske plays guitars and bass. Both members sing. As a live act, they perform primarily as a vocal and guitar duo.

Discography

Bare Common released its self-titled CD in August 2005 on its own Eggtone Music label. It was produced, arranged and recorded by Steve Horner. It is receiving airplay on Duluth independent public radio station KUMD-FM.

The track "Upward Bound" has been chosen for the upcoming Oasis Acoustic Sampler CD, which is distributed to hundreds of industry contacts. It also has been chosen for inclusion on northern Minnesota's 4th annual Highway 61 Folks Festival compilation CD and on Acoustic Fuel, the Internet radio station (www.acousticfuel.com).

Official Website

http://www.barecommon.com

Audio

• High Time
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• You're So Close
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• Marie Falling Down
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Lyrics

• High Time
• You're So Close
• Marie Falling Down

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Sophistication and Smooth Folk [+ Show ]
  

  "There's a relaxed form of expression that emanates from every number, but a sophistication that pre..."There's a relaxed form of expression that emanates from every number, but a sophistication that prevails overall ... smooth folk and inspired music for the soul."
  
  -- Andrew Olson, The Reader Weekly
  

• Sincere Ballads, Sunny Meditations [+ Show ]
  

  "Steve Horner and Tom Wilkowske's debut CD features sincere guitar ballads like "Upward Bound" and s..."Steve Horner and Tom Wilkowske's debut CD features sincere guitar ballads like "Upward Bound" and sunny meditations like "Ice Cream Inside."
  
  -- Sarah Henning, Duluth News Tribune

• Bare Common at Homegrown VIII [+ Show ]
  

  BARE COMMON AT LAKEVIEW COFFEE -- Ah, a sunny, harmony-rich folk guitar duo. Very Simon and Garfunke...BARE COMMON AT LAKEVIEW COFFEE -- Ah, a sunny, harmony-rich folk guitar duo. Very Simon and Garfunkel. But less whiny. And without the bad hair. These guys clearly have honed their craft -- who's able to work "catapult'' into a lyric these days?
  
  -- Sarah Henning, Duluth News Tribune, May 6, 2006 - "Homegrown Music Festival VIII," Duluth, MN, USA
  
  
  
  

Setlist

Bare Common generally performs two sets of about 45 minutes each, mostly originals with a handful of covers.

SET A

High Time
Upward Bound
Ice Cream Inside
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Nick Lowe)
You're So Close
Finally Over It
Play With Fire
Oh, Innocence
Day Glow
Force of Life
That Blue
A Beam of Light (I'm Free)
SET B

More Than This (Ferry/Roxy Music)
Be By Yourself
Beneath the Crust
I Will Find You
Angel of Mercy
May The Circle Be Unbroken (Trad.)
Wrestling With Angels
Marie Falling Down
Rational Man
Across the Universe

Basic Requirements

Calendar