Bob Sumner wrangles real-life subject matter with a good-time country sound in new album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Vancouver, BC – Singer-songwriter Bob Sumner cites the musically progressive sensibilities of his heroes when talking about the spirit of his new album, Some Place to Rest Easy, out now via Fluff & Gravy (worldwide) and North Country Collective (Canada). “They were always creating something new, something different,” he says of idols like George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. With that ideology in mind, Sumner set about creating an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it. (IV-PR, 2024)
With Some Place to Rest Easy, Sumner picks up the tempo compared to his previous releases, balancing the stirring lyrical depth fans have come to expect with a more buoyant, lively feel. “It felt appropriate to give the music itself some joy,” says the man who’s made a career out of tapping into difficult-to-touch-on, real-life stuff in a relatable, palatable manner. In the end, that’s what Sumner’s music has always been about—more than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or clever line. “I always want people to feel something,” Sumner explains. “If I heard that this album helped somebody that was feeling down, even just by feeling some other emotion for a little while, that’s the number one thing for me.”
Fans can now stream or purchaseSome Place to Rest Easy. Sumner will take the stage at Nashville’s world-famous Bluebird Cafe on September 15. Tickets and complete tour dates are available online.
Some Place to Rest Easy tracklist: Bridges Motel Room Don’t We Though You Can Stay Here Forty Years on the Floor Didn’t We Dream Turn You Into Stone Baby I Know Lonesome Sound Familiar Feeling Is It Really Any Wonder
Some Place to Rest Easy In The News:
“A blend of past, present, and future sounds” – American Songwriter
“More than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or theme, the through line in Sumner’s music has always been vulnerability.” – Glide Magazine
“Genuine and weighty songwriting” – Americana Highways
“High class, country leaning Americana.” – Americana UK
“It takes a deft hand to put out a good, sad record…Bob Sumner nails it on Someplace To Rest Easy.” – Twangville
Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman bottles the bluegrass legend’s electric live show. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Bluegrass is a vibrant American musical genre rooted in Appalachian folk traditions. Characterized by its upbeat tempo and virtuosic instrumentation, it blends elements of Scotch-Irish folk music with jazz and blues influences. Typical bluegrass ensembles feature acoustic instruments like the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and upright bass. The genre’s hallmark is its high, harmony-rich vocals and complex, improvisational solos, often performed in a fast-paced, “breakdown” style. Over the years, bluegrass has evolved while still preserving its traditional core, resonating with audiences through its authenticity, storytelling, and lively spirit.
I became a fan of the genre when the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou came out where Dan Tyminski sings “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow.” In today’s music news, his new album is out now and it includes that song.
Dan Tyminski is an icon of modern-day bluegrass. In addition to reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart with solo albums like 2008’s Wheels and 2023’s God Fearing Heathen, he has won 14 Grammy Awards, released multiple records as a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, and topped the charts in more than 10 countries with “Hey Brother,” his genre-bending collaboration with DJ Avicii. Tyminski sang “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” on O Brother, Where Art Thou?’s multi-platinum soundtrack, inspiring a new generation to discover bluegrass and traditional American folk music. His new release, Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman captures him onstage in Nashville, Tennessee, performing a mix of songs from throughout his career with a string band. (IV-PR, 2024)
Released via 8 Track Entertainment and ADA/Warner Music Group, Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman shines a light on his acclaimed live show. Recorded in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium—the legendary venue known as “The Birthplace of Bluegrass”—the new album showcases the sharp songwriting, full-throttle vocals, and guitar chops that have powered Tyminski’s music for decades. It’s also a showcase for his ace band, a young group of fiery flat-pickers, hotshot instrumentalists, and harmony singers whose sheer talent is matched only by the band’s frontman. The result is a blend of old and new: a record that makes room for traditional influences, progressive energy, cover songs, originals, and unreleased material.
Fans can stream or purchase Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman right now. Physical copies of Live From The Ryman—vinyl and CD—will be available at all retail outlets on October 4.
“The musicians in this band grew up listening to my music, so they know my stuff much better than I do!” Tyminski says. “If you listen to how they play and how well they listen to each other, you’ll notice there’s a conversation going back and forth at all times.”
That conversation springs to life during instrumental numbers like “Cumberland Gap.” It continues with live renditions of “Ode to Jimmy” (a tribute to Tyminski’s childhood hero, Jimmy Martin), “Silence in the Brandy” (which examines the lingering effects of PTSD on soldiers returning home from war), and “GOAT” — all of which appeared on God Fearing Heathen, which debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart in 2023—and breathes new life into older material like the aforementioned “This Sad Song,” which Tyminski first performed on Alison Krauss & Union Station’s Grammy-winning Lonely Runs Both Ways. On “Whiskey Drinking Man,” Tyminski sings about hard liquor with a commanding voice that reaches all the way to the rearmost rows of the Ryman, then cedes the spotlight to mandolinist Harry Clark, fiddler Maddie Denton, Dobro player Gaven Largent, banjoist Jason Davis, and upright bassist Grace Davis. There’s also a standout performance of “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” the career-changing song that won a Grammy Award in 2002 and has since served as a bridge for multiple generations of music fans, helping them discover their own love of bluegrass and traditional folk music.
Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman tracklist: This Sad Song Let Me Fall Modern Day Jezebel Cumberland Gap Ode to Jimmy God Fearing Heathen The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow Silence in the Brandy Say Won’t You Be Mine GOAT Whiskey Drinking Man Old Home Place
Catch Dan Tyminski on tour: August 30-31 – New Richmond, QC – New Richmond Bluegrass Festival 2024 September 20 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond 2024 October 5 – Doswell, VA – State Fair of Virginia October 11-12 – Big Stone Gap, VA – Blue Highway Fest 2024 October 18-19 – Farmers Branch, TX – Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival 2024 October 20 – Brownwood, TX – Brownwood’s Lyric Theatre November 16 – Rochester, NY – Kilbourn Hall
Acclaimed Japanese artist Cornelius releases new EP Bad Advice/Mind Train. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The acclaimed Japanese musician Keigo Oyamada, known as Cornelius, just released the Bad Advice/Mind Train EP, available now via Like LTD. This three-song collection includes the previously released nine minute krautrock inspired opus Mind Train and the new track Bad Advice, featuring the legendary New York No Wave artist Arto Lindsay. (Magnum PR, 2024)
In celebration of his 30th anniversary, Cornelius also announces the forthcoming release of 2023’s acclaimed LP Dream in Dream on vinyl. The deluxe package, available on September 27, includes a Rainbow Foil Jacket with Die-Cut Window, Zoetrope Slipmat, and Colored Vinyl, offering fans a collector’s item that beautifully encapsulates the album’s visionary sound.
The EP’s standout track Bad Advice features vocals from Arto Lindsay (No wave iconoclasts DNA, The Lounge Lizards, The Golden Palominos). Lindsay’s presence on the track exemplifies the seamless blend of his distinctive styles. Cornelius elaborates on the inspiration behind the song: “This song was inspired by the sound of Arto Lindsay’s 80s experimental duo Ambitious Lovers. I was able to create a song like it, so I really wanted Arto to sing on it.”
Known for his passion of crafting lyrics that evoke their own unique mood, Lindsay continues this approach on the lyrics for Bad Advice, allowing for multiple interpretations and letting the words naturally come together.
The EP’s first single released last month, Mind Train is an epic, nine-plus minutes of gorgeously ethereal spacepop, with its sleekly styled minimalist sonic structures breaking into moments of exhilarating chaos. Influenced by the music of his longtime hero and collaborator Yoko Ono, it’s very much meant to inspire inward self-reflection.
The EP also features a remix of Dream In a Dream track Sparks by Canadian multi- instrumentalist, engineer and composer Joseph Shabason. He has played and recorded with bands like Destroyer, The War On Drugs, Andre Ethier, and Alvvays.
Cornelius is also thrilled to announce that Money Mark, known for his work with the Beastie Boys, will join him as support on the U.S. dates of the Dream in Dream World Tour. This tour, which celebrates three decades of Cornelius’s genre-defying music, will feature Cornelius’ 20-year compatriots: Hirohisa Horie on keyboards (also a support member for Yukihiro Takahashi’s Yellow Magic Orchestra), Yuko Araki on drums (also a member of Yoko Ono’s Plastic Ono Band); and Buffalo Daughter’s Yumiko Ohno on Moog and bass. Cornelius and his band will play songs from his five previous albums since 1992, beginning with the landmark LP Fantasma. Cornelius encourages both old fans and new to experience this next wave in sound in person.
The tour kicks off on September 1 at the End of the Road Festival in Salisbury, England, and includes stops in Amsterdam, London, and several U.S. cities, culminating in a headline show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on September 24.
World Tour Dates 8/29/24 – End of the Road Festival – Salisbury, England 9/3/24 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands 9/6/2024 – Barbican – London, England 9/21/24 – Music Box – San Diego, CA* 9/22/24 – Pappy & Harriets – Pioneertown, CA* 9/24/24 – Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA* 9/25/24 – UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA* 9/27/24 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR* 9/29/24 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA*
(* with Money Mark)
Dream In Dream will be out September 27, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Two Trains Left announce new LP Probably For Nothing. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Two Trains Leftis a pop-punk band hailing from Paris. Their debut EP Sorry & Pathetic, released in 2018, garnered significant attention and set the stage for the band’s future successes. This initial triumph led them to open for notable acts such as Anti-Flag, Story Untold, Between You & Me, and Hockey Dad in Paris, as well as Møme on the main stage of the “24h de l’INSA” festival in Lyon. (Two Trains Left, 2024)
The group recently released their new single and music video for “Sail Away”featuring long time supporters Chunk! No Captain Chunk! Blending both Parisian artist’s distinct styles together brings a powerful dynamic to the song, creating a unique sound that serves as a personal anthem of growth, self-discovery, and determination. Combining catchy guitar riffs, groovy bass lines and powerful vocals, “Sail Away” invites listeners on a journey through raw emotion and undeniable intensity.
They also announced that their latest LP, Probably For Nothing is scheduled for release on September 20. The 12 track album produced by easycore icons Chunk! No Captain Chunk! frontman Bertrand Poncet takes listeners on a thrilling ride through Two Trains Left’s evolving soundscapes, showcasing their unique blend of high-energy tracks and reflective ballads. Probably For Nothing seamlessly combines infectious melodies with heartfelt lyrics, reflecting the band’s coming of age while encapsulating their journey through the unknown.
Speaking to how one’s personal evolution can lead to resilience and liberation, even if the outcome is uncertain, the band shares:
“Probably For Nothing captures our evolution and experimentation in a way that feels cohesive and engaging. We wanted to create an album that resonates deeply with listeners, offering them a mix of powerful anthems and reflective ballads that they can connect with on a personal level. Our hope was to leave a lasting impact and provide a memorable and engaging listening experience from start to finish.”
Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden is Valley’s forthcoming new album. Photo: Becca Hamel, used with permission.
JUNO Award nominated band Valley returns this year with their most intimate and personal record yet. Water The Flowers, Pray For A Garden is an exploration of grief and resilience from one of today’s most exciting alternative-pop bands. (Big Hassle, 2024)
Since forming in 2016, Valley has accrued over 1 billion streams globally, having appeared on viral charts in the US, Philippines, Korea, Japan, and more. Along with their three JUNO Award nominations, the band has also garnered praise from Consequence, Wonderland, American Songwriter, and CBC. Helping prompt much of their global recognition was “Like 1999,” a gold certified hit that went viral on TikTok.
Valley has also become known for their high-energy live shows, which have been brought to renowned festivals like Life Is Beautiful, Governors Ball, Slow Life, and Wunderstruck as well as their debut US TV performance as part of Stephen Colbert’s #LiveAtHome session.
The three-piece alternative-pop band, comprised of Rob Laska (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Dimauro (bass), and Karah James (vocals, drums), recently released “Bass Player’s Brother.”This infectious, drum-driven track features dreamy synths and grooves, all the while telling the story of a toxic, ever-repeating relationship. The song drops on the heels of the singles “When You Know Someone” and the album’s title track “Water The Flowers, Pray For A Garden,” with the full album set to arrive on August 30 through Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada.
“‘Bass Player’s Brother’ is a song about cyclical love and obsession. In life we often find ourselves in realities that don’t suit our truth, yet we continue to drag ourselves back to the feeling of staying for love’s sake. It’s cyclical in nature yet rooted in heartache and hurt. It’s the back-and-forth outcome of these habits that cause us to stay when we know we should leave. This is the only song on the album where we didn’t reference real names. Sometimes we like to play characters in songs even though we’re always thinking about someone in our lives. We wanted to paint a picture of a classic Americana heartbreak love story.”- Valley
Water the Flowers, Pray For A Garden is a brave exploration of the full spectrum of emotions with an invitation to also surrender control and trust the process. Recorded over the span of a month in the Smoky Mountains and produced by COIN’s Chase Lawrence, Valley captures a specific moment in time. Through embracing the transformative power of death and rebirth, the band finds themselves reinvented and the most inspired they have felt thus far in their careers.
In addition to the summer festival appearances and Canadian shows with friends The Beaches, Dizzy and Arkells, Valley have announced their Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden North American headlining tour spanning coast to coast in the US and Canada. The tour includes shows at iconic venues and some of the biggest rooms they’ve played to date, including Brooklyn Steel in New York, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, History in Toronto and more.
WATER THE FLOWERS, PRAY FOR A GARDEN US TOUR DATES September 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer* September 29 – Boston, MA – House of Blues* October 1 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club* October 2 -Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel* October 4 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel* October 5 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre* October 6 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Hall* October 8 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre* October 9 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue* October 11 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theatre* October 12 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre* October 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Centre* October 15 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren* October 16 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park* October 18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern* October 19 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre* October 21 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall* October 22- Seattle, WA – The Showbox*
*support from Mickey Darling and Charli Adams
Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden Tracklist: (Courtesy photo)
1. Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden 2. A Little More 3. Growing (Apart) 4. When You Know Someone 5. Let It Rain 6. Crawlspace 7. Mosquito 8. Bop Ba 9. I Didn’t Even Ask For This 10. Bass Player’s Brother 11. Life Goes On Without Me 12. Cocoon
Lord Buffalo’s new album Holus Bolus will be released July 12, 2024. Photo: Metal Injection
Austin heavy psychedelic-Americana band Lord Buffalorecently released a new single from their forthcoming album Holus Bolus. CvltNation shares “I Wait on The Door Slab” single HERE. Also now streaming on Bandcamp and all DSPs HERE. (US/THEM Group, 2024)
Metal Injection previously launched the title track and official video for “Holus Bolus” HERE.
Lord Buffalo is Daniel Pruitt (guitar, bass, piano, vocals, melodica), Garrett Hellman (guitar, sub-bass, piano, synths), Patrick Patterson (violin), and Yamal Said (drums, percussion).
Lord Buffalo is heavy in the way that ghosts are heavy… in the way that billowing dust is heavy.
That is to say, the Austin, TX Psych-Americana band’s music impacts hard, though it seems impossible to touch. Their sound flows through us, it doesn’t invite the Pavlovian response of typical heavy rock music
Perhaps it’s fitting then that their new album Holus Bolus takes its name from an antiquated term meaning “all at once.” It materializes instantly from the first notes of the opening title track, like a dark grey haze drawing listeners in with the band’s deft juxtapositions of droning violin, guitars, drums and vocals. It draws equally from Morricone and Badalementi as from Sabbath and Swans.
While the quartet trudges the same murky waters as dark emotive brethren David Eugene Edwards/Woven Hand, Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, Earth/Dylan Carlson, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Nick Cave, their creative interplay of Middle Eastern influence with a distinctly Western feel takes listeners in entirely new directions as the album envelops them. Holus Bolus was recorded by Danny Reisch and Max Lorenzen at Good Danny’s in Lockhart, TX. Mixed by Danny Reisch. Mastered by Max Lorenzen.
“While the making of this record feels a bit like a sleep-deprived hallucination to me. Listening to it now, I find it strangely hopeful — there’s a kind of release that you hit in exhaustion. I think the record knew what it was after, even if we didn’t. It felt very much like the record just appeared one day, holus bolus.” – Daniel Pruitt
Holus Bolus will be available worldwide on vinyl, CD, and digital via Blues Funeral Recordings on July 12,2024. Pre-order HERE.
Artist: Lord Buffalo Album: Holus Bolus Label: Blues Funeral Recordings Release Date: July 12, 2024
Courtesy album photo, used with permission
Holus Bolus
Slow Drug
Passing Joy
Malpaisano
I Wait on the Door Slab
Cracks in the Vermeer
Rowing in Eden
“Known for their atmospheric spin on folk-rock, at times sounding like the Anthology of American Folk Music beamed from outer space.” — NPR Music
“A dusky, moody, roots-quaking disc of tension and release.” — Austin Chronicle
“Lord Buffalo masterfully mixes straightforward, stoner-tinged rock with more violin-driven post-rock tones into one beautifully captivating sound that everyone should be familiar with.” — Metal Injection
flor doesn’t care much what you think of them on their new single ‘Kick It.’ Courtesy single artwork, used with permission.
First Hood River, Oregon’s, now the world’s alt-pop darlings, flor, released their newest single this month – “Kick It.”A fuzzed out, knobs dialed all the way up type of track, “Kick It” tells judgmental onlookers to shove it and be on their way. A more confident, provocative take from flor, the band continues showing their vast songwriting range as they explore the joy of their newfound creative independence. (Big Hassle Media, 2024)
flor finds light in the promise of a new day. The Hood River, OR trio—Zach Grace (vocals, guitar), Dylan Bauld (bass), and Kyle Hill (drums)—excavate unshakable melodies from jubilant synths, buoyant beats, and lush guitars as they relay a coming-of-age story all their own.
The story began as high school kids playing in a garage. The band quietly generated hundreds of millions of streams in the wake of their 2016 debut come out. you’re hiding. In 2019, ley lines only accelerated their momentum buoyed by tracks including “white noise,” “slow motion,” and “dancing around.” Critical acclaim followed from NYLON, Billboard, Paste, and Ones To Watch who hailed the album as “an exhilarating balancing act.”
They concluded a successful headline tour at the top of 2020 only to face the harsh reality of the Global Pandemic with the rest of us. Once it became safe enough to do so, the musicians congregated back in Los Angeles at Dylan’s studio for a series of writing sessions. This time around, they built the bulk of the songs face-to-face together inspired by favorite records from the likes of MGMT, Phoenix, The Killers, and M83. The result was their 2022 third full-length album, Future Shine which won over the praise of Rolling Stone, AltPress, and many others.
After taking some time to evaluate who they want to be creatively, flor is now back and more refreshed than they’ve ever been. The end of last year saw the release of “Same Color as the Sun” as the band joined The Maine for a massive North American tour.
Last month, flor starred in The Noise’sfirst episode of their new video series titled Something Loud. Filmed in Los Angeles – with the help from Betawave Media – flor performed their singles “Every Night,” “Warm Blood Pt 2,” “No More Time,” and “Gotta Do Something” to showcase what “loud” means to them.
Regularly releasing new singles to keep their fanbase fed, the last few months have seen flor unveil “Same Color as the Sun,” “Warm Blood Pt 2” and “Nosedive.” “Same Color as the Sun” quickly gained traction at Triple A radio and continues to chart higher week after week. “Warm Blood Pt 2” also arrived with an official video. With the song’s precursor dating back to their 2016 debut album come out. you’re hiding, part two wasn’t initially created as a follow up. But as the band began writing with the intent of creating something as rapturous as the original, things started to fall in place.
The end of 2023 also saw flor join their friends in The Maine for a massive North American tour, selling out almost every single date. Over the coming months, flor will continue to ride their current wave of inspiration with more new music on the way.
Gus Baldwin shares new single and launches Western US tour. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Austin Power Punk artist Gus Baldwin is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter/ex-hippie/part-time punk hailing from Austin, TX. After a stint holding down drums for Dallas surf punk legends Sealion in high school, Baldwin went on to form the Psych Pop combo Acid Carousel, which he led for 6 years and 20 something releases before departing the band on Halloween night 2021. He shares the official video for his new single Relief via Austin Town Hall. (US/THEM group, 2024)
Since leaving Carousel, Gus has made a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, constantly performing as a singer/songwriter, one man garage band, or with his band The Sketch. Quickly releasing a string of titles on his own GetWithIt! Records imprint, including the EPs “THRILLER II,” “Live Bugs,” as well as a slew of singles, Gus established himself firmly as the godson of Texas rock ‘n’ roll. Splitting his time as a frequent collaborator with The Black Angels, Baldwin also works with the likes of Christian Bland & The Revelators as well as The UFO Club with Night Beats frontman, Danny Lee Blackwell.
Gus Baldwin & The Sketch kicked off their Western U.S. tour this month, which includes a performance at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas.
GUS BALDWIN & THE SKETCH LIVE 2024: 5/22 Marfa, TX 5/23 El Paso, TX 5/25 Las Vegas, NV 5/26 Long Beach, NV 5/27 San Francisco, CA 5/29 San Diego, CA 5/31 Los Angeles, CA 6/01 Tucson, AZ 6/02 Phoenix, AZ
Cover art for single Relief. Courtesy photos, used with permission.
Greensky Bluegrass announces new EP The Iceland Sessions featuring Holly Bowling out May 10 via Thirty Tigers. Photo: Tobin Voggesser, used with permission.
Greensky Bluegrass is widely known for their thoughtful lyricism, edgy and genre-expansive sound, dazzling live performances, and relentless touring schedule. However, that is only the tip of the complex tale of the five musicians that make up Greensky Bluegrass: Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin]. The five are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, they’re a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down. (Big Hassle Media, 2024)
For the past century, bluegrass music has traditionally relayed real tales of American life, struggle, tragedy, and triumph. It gives a voice to the quiet, yet colorful stories woven into the fabric of the country itself. Greensky Bluegrass live these stories through their records and performances.
Greensky Bluegrass is thrilled to announce The Iceland Sessions due out May 10 via Thirty Tigers. Pre-ordersare available now.
The EP was recorded at Flóki Studios in the summer of 2023, just before their first-ever Icelandic run of shows at Reykjavik’s Harpa Concert Hall. “We invited some of our favorite friends and musicians to play with us, including Holly Bowling, and we set out to make memories in the twilight sun with a bunch of fans who joined us from all over the world,” recalls Paul Hoffman. Bowling has been a regular guest in Greensky’s band lineup throughout the last several years and the chemistry between Bowling and the band is undeniable.
Flóki Studios is located in a very remote section of northern Iceland, and for Greensky, that’s precisely what was needed. A very intense few days that drew out creativity and inspiration not yet tapped by the band. “We embraced the disorienting inspiration and played late into the night as the sun never left us, all the while still developing lyrics and figuring out harmonies and arrangements. We swam in the cold water. We saw more sheep than people for days. We listened to the birds sing through the night while we charged through each song. A recording project that felt like a whirlwind at times turned into something calm and peaceful that felt more creative and raw than anything we’ve done before. Fully aware that we could continue to work on this later, we decided to commit to what we created in Iceland and have the recording be truly a moment in time.”
Following the release of The Iceland Sessions, Greensky will set out on their summer tour which kicks off May 12 in Mill Valley, CA. Up to date news and tour information is available online.
Grouplove announces deluxe version of I Want It All Right Now – out on May 10, 2024. Photo: Brantley Gutierrez, used with permission.
On their new album I Want It All Right Now, Grouplove offers up a body of work built on a raw but incandescent sound that vocalist/keyboardist Hannah Hooper refers to as “resistance pop.” As Hooper reveals, the Atlanta-based band’s sixth full-length album emerged from a period of intense transformation for herself and her husband/bandmate, vocalist/guitarist Christian Zucconi. Over the course of 11 shapeshifting songs, Grouplove’s debut release for Glassnote Records documents that progression from external searching to radical self-discovery, infusing each track with the wildly unbridled spirit the band has always embodied. (Big Hassle, 2024)
I Want It All Right Now fully harnesses the ecstatic energy Grouplove has brought to the stage on multiple international headline tours and at leading festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. In a major leap forward for the band—whose lineup also includes bassist Daniel Gleason, guitarist Andrew Wessen, and drummer Ben Homola—the album explores the deepest tensions of the human psyche with equal parts tenderness, curiosity, and exacting self-revelation. A bold evolution of the defiantly sincere songwriting they first delivered on their 2011 debut Never Trust a Happy Song, I Want It All Right Now ultimately leaves the listener newly awakened to the wisdom and power of their own intuition.
The deluxe album will feature six new tracks, including the live version of the album’s title track “All” from Madison Square Garden. With Jake Clemons from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band lending his talents on the saxophone, the live rendition sheds any previous confines and swells into something altogether larger than life.
Multifaceted in her approach to artistry, Hannah Hooperhas painted all of the band’s artwork. Grouplove’s artwork has become almost as recognizable as their sound over the years, seeing the band work out the tensions of life through all mediums at their disposal.
In February, Grouplove released the first deluxe track “Chances.” The rapturous, overstimulated, hallucinogenic singsong saw the band channeling their ecstatic energy into the deepest tensions of the human psyche, all while playing with the contradictions and complications of existing. I Want It All RightNow, the band’s sixth studio album, was originally released in 2023.
Over the last month, Grouplove has been joined by Bully for the North American Rock And Roll You Won’t Save Me Tour. Fans who missed the tour or simply want more need not despair as the band has upcoming festival performances this summer at Wildflower! Festival, Bonnaroo and Oceans Calling. By popular demand, Grouplove has been added to 9 new dates this fall supporting P!nk.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES May 17 – Richardson, TX – Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival June 14 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN June 22 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage (with Arkells) September 28 – Ocean City, MD – Oceans Calling Festival November 3 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ^ November 6 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field ^ November 8 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center ^ November 11 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena^ November 12 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena^ November 14 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena^ November 16 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC^ November 18 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium^ November 20 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena^
^ supporting P!nk
I Want It All Right Now Deluxe track list: “All” “Cheese” “Malachi” “Hello” “Eyes” “Billie” “Tryin’” “Cream” “Francine” “Climb” “Wall” “Chances” “Can You Feel My Love” “Fire” “House” “Fishbowl” “All (Live)”
SA Examiner 