Good heavens…This album is so lush, haunting, and beautiful that it will sweep you away from whatever you’re doing when you play it. Anika’s voice immediately drapes over you like a luxurious robe with a knife hidden in a back pocket.
Seriously, why aren’t more people going nuts over Rochelle Jordan? She mixes soul, house, disco, and trip hop better than most, and Play with the Changes is, if you ask me, the sexiest album of 2021.
This lovely mix of trip hop, dream pop, bossa nova, and house music is a delight from start to finish. It was a much-needed tonic during the crappy 365 days of 2021. It’s a perfect spin for any time of year. Got the winter blues? Play this. Need a fun record for that summer beach trip? Play this. Need a boost to start your garden? Play this. Looking forward to sipping hot cider in the fall? Play this.
This solo record from one of the cats in Durand Jones and The Indications is one of the best soul and R&B records of 2021. Frazer puts down his trademark sharp beats and brings his other trademark, high-end vocals, with him to create a groovy, sexy blend that impressed Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys so much that he produced it.
This album got locked into my number one spot not long after it was released. It’s a sharp post-punk record, and I remember being more and more impressed with it after each listen. It covers everything from Brexit and the pandemic to boredom and hope for the future. It’s snarky, witty, and powerful.
There you have it. I hope 2022 is good to all of us.
Keep your mind open.
[Why not start off the new year right by subscribing?]
This is a haunting live album from the lead singer of The Black Angels, and a performance of Maas’ first solo album – Luca. His backing band is top-notch and it’s like listening to a dream.
Chock-full of post-punk bangers and piercing lyrics about life during and after the pandemic that hit harder now than all of last year, Parquet Courts’ Sympathy for Life is one of those records that reveals more of itself with each listen.
I’m so glad I heard these guys on BBC 6 Music and tracked down Uppers, because I knew it was going to be one of my favorite records of 2021 within thirty seconds on the opening track. Fun lyrics, ripping riffs, and killer beats make it a go-to record for high energy.
A live recording that sounds good enough to be a studio album, Stöner’s Live in the Mojave Desert session is like having a desert rock concert in your house. Play at maximum volume.
One of the smoothest and grooviest records of 2021 came from these guys who embraced their love of disco and mixed it with their reverence for soul. There isn’t a weak track on the whole album.
Durand Jones & The Indications release a new single/video, “Love Will Work It Out,” from their forthcoming album, Private Space, out July30th on DeadOceans in association with ColemineRecords. Anchored by the high-low harmonies of AaronFrazer (drums/vocals) and DurandJones (vocals), and rounded out by BlakeRhein (guitar), SteveOkonski (keys), and MikeMontgomery (bass), Private Space leans into hope, coalescing around the idea that joy can set us free. “I want listeners to know that through really rough times something beautiful can be birthed,” says Jones, who proclaims on “Love Will Work It Out” that “All the people lost made me fall right onto my knees/all I could do was cry and shout/I knew I had to trust the faith that love would work it out.” The track – inspired by both the pandemic and social justice movements of the past year – is a mellow groove, as Jones’ voice is carried by drifting keys, relaxed percussion, and elegant strings.
“For months into the pandemic and the racial/political chaos that ensued, we found it hard to write,” says the band. “The biggest creative dry spell we’d experienced in a decade. The constant barrage of horrible news felt overwhelming, and songs just seemed inadequate in response to police murdering people in broad daylight. Songs felt inadequate in the face of a virus that decimated communities and kept us apart from our loved ones. We marched, protested, cried, wiped down our groceries, stopped wiping down our groceries, unplugged, breathed, replugged, reengaged. And when music finally flowed, the first song we wrote together was ‘Love Will Work It Out.’ Because conflict and confrontation require bravery, AND so does keeping the faith in the goodness of one another. It’s a big part of what so many people are fighting for- the benefit of the doubt, the ability to be seen as whole, the space to love and trust. It’s been a tough year, but we’ve come out the other side steady and hopeful.”
The accompanying video, directed by WeirdLife, presents the band’s retro aesthetic as they perform.
Following The Indications’ 2019 album, American Love Call, PrivateSpace unlocks the door to a wider range of sounds, boldly launching the band into a world of synthy modern soul and disco beats dotted with strings. The Indications are true masters at melding revival sounds with a modern attitude. The ten tracks across Private Space provide for both an escapist fantasy and a much-needed recentering after a tumultuous 2020.
Developed after being apart for much of the year, Private Space is creatively explosive and delights in upending expectations. Throughout, The Indications highlight a collective resiliency – as well as the power of a good song to be a light in the darkness. From ideation to the final album cut, Private Space is a meditation on what gets us through isolation and loss: community, love and friendship. As the world slowly resets from the chaos of the past year, Private Space comes at just the right time. “I feel we’ll be arriving into people’s lives as they’re exiting a really tough period,” Frazer theorizes. “We’re not out of the woods, but hopefully this allows people to get together again, to share and experience catharsis.”
Durand Jones & The Indications Tour Dates (new dates in bold): Sat. Sep. 4 – Hershey, PA @ Harrisburg University At The Englewood Tue. Sept. 7 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club w/ 79.5 Wed. Sep. 8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer w/ 79.5 Fri. Sept. 10 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel w/ 79.5 Sat. Sept. 11 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club w/ 79.5 Mon. Sept. 13 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre w/ 79.5 Tue. Sept. 14 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line w/ 79.5 Thu. Sept. 16 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater w/ 79.5 Fri. Sept. 17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Commonwealth Room w/ 79.5 Mon. Sept. 20 – San Diego, CA @ Soma w/ 79.5 Mon. Sep. 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium w/ 79.5 Wed. Sept. 22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium w/ 79.5 Thu. Sep. 23 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl w/ My Morning Jacket Fri. Sept. 24 – Dana Point, CA @ Ohana Fest Sat. Sep. 25 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley w/ My Morning Jacket Tue. Sep. 28 – Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield w/ My Morning Jacket Wed. Sep. 29 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Pavilion at Riverfront w/ My Morning Jacket Fri. Oct. 1 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theater w/ My Morning Jacket Sat. Oct. 2 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theater w/ My Morning Jacket Sun. Oct. 3 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Ampitheater w/ My Morning Jacket Fri. Oct. 8 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival Thu. Oct. 28 – Sun. Oct. 31 – Live Oak, FL @ Suwanee Hulaween Sun. May 22, 2022 – Monterey, CA @ California Roots Festival
Aaron Frazer (of Durand Jones & The Indications) releases new single, “If I Got It (Your Love Brought It),” from his Dan Auerbach-produced debut album, Introducing…, out January8th on DeadOceans/EasyEyeSound. Following previous singles “Over You” and “Bad News,” “If I Got It (Your Love Brought It)” cheerfully skips with piano, wurlitzer, plucking bass, and a blend of brass instruments – trumpet, saxophone, and trombone.
Frazer elaborates on the song’s origins:
“I was at the DMV in Sacramento and above the commercial vehicles desk I noticed a wall full of toy trucks, and at the top a teamsters slogan from the 1950s: ‘IF YOU GOT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT.’ I thought, damn that’s a hot line. Jotted it down, and when I brought it up with Dan, the song felt like it was writing itself. It’s a song of gratitude for who/whatever it is in your life that brings you happiness, grounding and self improvement.”
A testament to his wide-ranging influence and deep gratitude for his musical community, Introducing… is both loving and gracious, critical without losing hope, and a showcase of a young artist on a seriously soulful ascent. Working with producer DanAuerbach (of The Black Keys), Frazer works to combine ‘70s soul with Auerbach’s particular sensibilities. Across Introducing…‘s 12 tracks are songs with a message in the key of Gil Scott-Heron, as well as uplifting tales of love told through a blend of disco, gospel, and doo-wop.
Introducing… was recorded in a week at Auerbach’s antique and ephemera-laden studio in Nashville following a rapid and prolific songwriting session. Auerbach called on a crew of heavy session players — including members of the MemphisBoys (who played on Dusty Springfield’s “Son of A Preacher Man” and Aretha Franklin’s “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”), symphony percussionist SamBacco, and members of the Daptone–BigCrownRecords universe. With a collaborative vision, Introducing… manages to hit the sweet spot between intuition, intentionality, and craft – a love song that’s both personal and universal.
AARON FRAZER PHOTOGRAPHED IN NASHVILLE, TN FOR EASY EYE SOUND & SECRETLY CANADIAN
Aaron Frazer (of Durand Jones & The Indications) is pleased to announce his debut album, Introducing…, out January 8th, 2021 via Dead Oceans and Easy Eye Sound, alongside lead single, “Over You,” and its accompanying video. A testament to his wide-ranging influence and deep gratitude for his musical community, Introducing… is both loving and gracious, critical without losing hope, and a showcase of a young artist on a seriously soulful ascent. Working with producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Frazer expertly calibrates consciousness-raising, as previewed by early single “Bad News,” and the desire to be enveloped by love. Where previous songs were written in a partial state of turmoil, Frazer’s debut LP shows maturation and range.
Soft-spoken with the look of a slightly disaffected 1950s matinee idol, Frazer possesses a unique voice that’s both contemporary and timeless. The Brooklyn-based, Baltimore-raised songwriter first came into the international spotlight as the drummer and co-lead singer for Durand Jones & The Indications. He’s certainly created a community through his work with the Indications, gospel-soul project The Flying Stars of Brooklyn, and countless side shows in Bloomington and New York. Throughout, Frazer has used music to call attention to issues of inequity and injustice, while highlighting the work of organizations like the Poor People’s Campaign. “It’s important ethically to try to use music for good. If you have something to say politically, don’t hide it until it’s asked about,” he says, adding that Introducing… balances songs of happiness with more political messages.
The 12 songs on Introducing… combine ‘70s soul with Auerbach’s particular sensibilities, and include songs with a message in the key of Gil Scott-Heron, as well as uplifting tales of love told through a blend of disco, gospel, and doo-wop. The album was recorded in a week at Auerbach’s antique and ephemera-laden studio in Nashville following a rapid and prolific songwriting session. “Dan likes to have this writing process where you just let go and embrace the kind of pressure cooker environment that comes with extreme time limitation,” Aaron says, adding that the writing sessions pushed him creatively. Dan brought in legendary songwriters such as L.Russell Brown, who wrote hits for fellow falsetto FrankieValli and co-wrote the album’s opening track, “You Don’t Wanna Be My Baby”. Dan adds: “As soon as Aaron started singing, Russell looked at me and his eyes lit up. He instantly understood Aaron; it was a perfect, effortless way to start the record.”
New single “Over You” is telling of the collaboration between Frazer and Auerbach. “‘Over You’ is inspired by the legendary northern soul 45s that electrified dance floors across the UK in the 1960s,” says Aaron. “Breakneck speeds and breakbeat drums challenged even the best dancers to pull out all the stops. Lyrically, ‘Over You’ captures a moment of despair in the darkest hour of a breakup. But sometimes to feel better, you just gotta shake your ass.” The accompanying video, directed by Marc Parroquin, visualizes this spirit, with a psychedelic color scheme, a slick car, and a smoky dancefloor.
For Introducing…, Auerbach called on a crew of heavy session players — including members of the Memphis Boys (who played on Dusty Springfield’s “Son of A Preacher Man” and Aretha Franklin’s “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”), symphony percussionist Sam Bacco,and several members of the Daptone-Big Crown Records universe .“I really didn’t want to make a retro record with Aaron; I wanted it to be its own thing, have its own sound. The crew had not made records together before, so it was a very fresh feeling that I think will strike a chord with people. There’s this amazing cross-section of musicians, young and old, with Aaron leading the way.” With a collaborative vision, Introducing… manages to hit the sweet spot between intuition, intentionality, and craft – a love song that’s both personal and universal.
Introducing… Tracklist: 1. You Don’t Wanna Be My Baby 2. If I Got It (Your Love Brought It) 3. Can’t Leave It Alone 4. Bad News 5. Have Mercy 6. Done Lyin’ 7. Lover Girl 8. Ride with Me 9. Girl on the Phone 10. Love Is 11. Over You 12. Leaning’ On Your Everlasting Love
As always, there are a lot of good singles out there every year and picking just twenty to highlight is difficult, but here goes.
#20 – Andre Bratten – “HS”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAh11-Ff0o
Good heavens, the opening bass on this cut from Pax Americana is alone worth the purchase price. It’s one of the hottest house music singles I’ve heard in years.
#19 – BODEGA – “Shiny New Model”
“You will be replaced by a shiny new model” is the first lyric in this sharp single, and on the album of the same name, by these NYC post-punkers who remind us that not only are we replaceable, but we often encourage others to forget us and don’t even realize we’re doing it.
#18 – Durand Jones and the Indications – “Morning in America”
Speaking of songs that throw a heavy punch at modern times, this soul cut is beautiful and brutal. “It’s morning in America, but I can’t see the dawn” might be the hardest-hitting lyric of the year on the most soulful record of the year.
#17 – CHAI – “Fashionista”
It’s difficult to pick a favorite part of this post-punk jam from Japan. Is it the fun vocals? The fat bass? The sizzling high hat? The message to be yourself and not care what others think of you? It’s probably all of it.
#16 – L7 – “Stadium West”
This song was a triumphant return for L7, who blessed us all with their first new album in 20 years – Scatter the Rats. The track is a solid rocker that keeps their snark and shreds.
Who’s in the top 15? Come back later today to learn!
“…unimpeachable, dripping in decadent four-part harmonies.” — RollingStone
“…immaculate and eternal soul.” — TheGuardian (5/5 Stars)
“It’s reverent soul and never comes close to being just a pastiche of a bygone era.” — Noisey
Today, Durand Jones & The Indications release a video for their new standalone single, “Cruisin’ To The Park.” The song follows their “romantic, political, honest and idealistic” (Paste) sophomore album, American Love Call, released earlier this year via DeadOceans/ColemineRecords. “Cruisin’ To The Park” is lush with harmonizing vocals, lilting guitar, and steady-going percussion. The video presents a celebration of lowrider car culture, which the band was introduced to through their fans:
“We put together our first record in our basement, messing around with different styles of soul music. But it was our sweet-soul tunes that got an overwhelming response from people who introduced us to the world of Chicano soul and lowrider car culture. We’ve gotten so much support from lowriders who love bumping our music in their cars, so we wanted to record a song in celebration of those people who enjoy cruising with friends and loved ones in ranflas across the world.”
The video was directed by JudeGonzalez. “‘Cruisin’ to the Park” to me shows hard work, dedication and family,” says Gonzalez. “Working with the band and bringing our ideas together helped me bring the lyrics to life. Knowing the lowrider community and being able to bring them together was pretty straight-forward, as they were familiar with the band and the music and they were eager to be apart of a band they love.”
“Morning in America b/w Cruisin’ to the Park” limited edition gold vinyl 7″ will be released October18th and is available to preorder now on Colemine Records.
The Indications will bring their famed live show, full of “old-school soul with a new-school honesty” (NPR’s AllThingsConsidered), to the West Coast next month. Additionally, they will tour across Europe later this year. All dates can be found below.
Durand Jones & The Indications’ Tour Dates: Sun. Sept. 15 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Town Park Tue. Sept. 17 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole Wed. Sept. 18 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern Thu. Sept. 19 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Fremont Theater Fri. Sept. 20 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s – SOLD OUT Sun. Sept. 22 – Las Vegas, NV @ LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL Thu. Sept. 24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom Wed. Sept. 25 – Petaluma, CA @ Mystic Theatre Thu. Sept. 26 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades Sat. Sept. 28 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst – SOLD OUT Sun. Sept. 29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Sat. Oct. 5 – Lagrange, CA @ Rockweave Festival Mon. Oct. 7 – Stockholm, SE @ Nalen Klubb Tue. Oct. 8 – Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen Wed. Oct. 9 – Hamburg-nord, DE @ Stage Club Fri. Oct. 11 – Berlin, DE @ Lido Sun. Oct. 13 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Mon. Oct. 14 – Brussels, BE @ Orangerie Tue. Oct. 15 – Paris, FR @ Trabendo Fri. Oct. 18 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy Sun. Oct. 20 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Mon. Oct. 21 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall Tue. Oct. 22 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla Wed. Oct. 23 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2 Sun. Jan. 19 – Wed. Jan. 22 – Quintana, MX @ Sky Blue Sky Festival
Keep your mind open.
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We’re less than three full months into 2019 and I’ve already found what is likely to be one of the top 10 albums of the year – American Love Call by Durand Jones and the Indications.
Blending soul, jazz, and funk, American Love Call is a love letter, sermon, and warning to the United States in times of sound and fury and fear.
Starting with the beautiful “Morning in America” (My top single of the year so far.), Jones and his crew bring us tales of average people across the country trying hard to just get by while the rich get richer and Congress does nothing but sling mud. “It’s morning in America, but I can’t see the dawn,” Jones sings. It’s a soulful gut punch. The psychedelic touches on “Don’t You Know” take you straight back to vintage soul records from the 1960’s. It makes you want to dress sharp. “Circles” has Jones so spun up in love with someone who doesn’t care about him that he doesn’t know where to turn or what to do next.
“Court of Love” is a soulful ballad with slow-dance guitar and sad doo-wop backing vocals. The groove on the lovely “Long Way Home” is as downright wicked as the lyrics about trying to work one’s way back from sin are relatable to everyone. The love of family, and love in general, is prevalent throughout the record, of course, and this track is a standout on that theme. You’d swear “Too Many Tears” was part of a collection of tracks from early Motown B-sides.
Speaking of Motown, “Walk Away” brings the Temptations to mind with its lush string section and sultry sound (and that flute solo!). “What I Know About You” is another lesson in sexy grooves. The simple organ chords add a layer that almost carries you away with them. Another jaw-dropping groove comes with the drums on “Listen to Your Heart” – a song about giving into love and passion that the band does so well. It’s probably on five thousand make-out playlists by now.
“Sea Gets Hotter” is a song about holding it together with the one you love while the world falls apart around you. “How Can I Be Sure” has a bass groove suitable for a 1970’s bachelor pad in outer space. The closer is the slow dance-inducing “True Love.” The drum beats in this are slicker than clarified butter in a hot skillet.
I wrote earlier that American Love Call is a love letter, sermon, and warning to America. It’s a love letter to the country that inspires so many, a sermon to a country that needs to embrace love more than ever, and a warning against turning away from love and chasing after things that will only bring heartache in the end. Embrace your neighbors, lovers, friends, strangers, and foes. It’s the call we all must heed.
Keep your mind open.
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“The Indications get even better on new LP ‘American Love Call,’ which contains frequent jolts of Frankie Lymon falsetto from drummer Aaron Frazer. Much of contemporary R&B is forceful and rugged; on tracks like ‘Court of Love’ and ‘Sea Gets Hotter,’ the Indications stay wonderfully delicate.” — Rolling Stone
Just ahead of the release of their sophomore album, American Love Call (out March 1st on Dead Oceans/Colemine Records), Durand Jones & the Indications are thrilled to share the album’s third single, “Long Way Home.”
“Aaron [Frazer] was playing something on guitar and I felt like it really went with something I was writing in my journal, a reflection on my experience with the justice system in America,” says Jones. “Aaron liked what I had and added his own perspective to it, about refugees, immigrants and the systemic obstacles they face on arrival. I can’t help but think of the brothers and sisters in America’s prison system whose lives are ruined over minor convictions. How some of my friends at home now navigate their young adult lives as felons, and all the barriers— social, political and economic— that come along with that. I also think of how we are not walking these trials alone. And if you’re willing to give a hand to help something, it usually comes back around when you need it. We have to show up for each other.”
Helmed by foil vocalists Jones and Frazer (drums), The Indications’ sound of “old-school soul with a new-school honesty” (NPR’s All Things Considered) is rounded out by Blake Rhein (guitarist), Kyle Houpt (bassist), and Steve Okonski (keyboard). The Indications will tour the US extensively this spring in support of American Love Call. A full list of tour dates are below.
Watch/Share: “Long Way Home” stream – https://youtu.be/o0P1dkvNSMI
“Morning In America” video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANEafqL5io
“Don’t You Know” video – https://youtu.be/A9rDPXoGSDg
Durand Jones & the Indications’ Tour Dates: Mon. March 18 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall Tue. March 19 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada Thu. March 21 – Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroots Fri. March 22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom — SOLD OUT Sat. March 23 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah — SOLD OUT Mon. March 25 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s On Newport — SOLD OUT Tue. March 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT Wed. March 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT Thu. March 28 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — SOLD OUT Fri. March 29 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish — SOLD OUT Sat. March 30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent — SOLD OUT Mon. April 1 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom Tue. April 2 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos Thu. April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room Fri. April 5 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater Sat. April 6 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar Sun. April 7 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room Tue. April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry Wed. April 10 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon Thu. April 11 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall Fri. April 12 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar Sat. April 13 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle Sun. April 14 – North Charleston, SC @ High Water Festival Tue. April 16 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel Wed. April 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg Fri. April 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church Sat. April 20 – Uncasville, CT @ Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Resort Sun. April 21 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall Mon. April 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar Wed. April 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Woodward Theater Fri. April 26 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East Sat. April 27 – Oxford, MS @ Double Decker Arts Festival Sun. April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West Sat. May 11 – Bloomington, IN @ Indiana University w/ Neko Case Fri. June 14 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Pepsi Amphitheater w/ Rebelution Sat. June 15 – Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheater w/ Rebelution Sun. June 16 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl w/ Rebelution Mon. June 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater Wed. June 19 – Fresno, CA @ Woodward Park Amphitheater w/ Rebelution Thu. June 20 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Avila Beach Golf Resort w/ Rebelution Fri. June 21 – Sacramento, CA @ Papa Murphy’s Park (Bonney Field) w/ Rebelution Sat. June 22 – Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley w/ Rebelution Sun. June 23 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Ampitheater w/ Rebelution Thu. June 27 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Garden – Outlaw Field w/ Rebelution Fri. June 28 – Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheater w/ Rebelution Sat. June 29 – Redmond, WA @ King’s County Marymoor Park w/ Rebelution Sun. June 30 – Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater w/ Rebelution
Pre-order American Love Call* – https://ffm.to/americanlovecall
*Dead Oceans exclusive bundle includes the album on limited transparent orange vinyl, limited edition transparent purple “Morning in America b/w Cruisin’ to the Park” Colemine Records white label promo 7”, a 7” adapter and poster.
“…its exploration of social and economic challenges (‘It’s morning in America/But I can’t see the dawn’) makes it resonate deeply in the present…” – Billboard, on “Morning In America”
“Is it any wonder that y’all about to blow up!” – Robin Roberts, Good Morning America
“…I can attest that witnessing Jones live is very much akin to how I imagine the early shows of his heroes from the ‘60s and ‘70s – tight as hell, bursting with raw emotion and drenched in sweat.” – Variety
“Durand Jones & The Indications bathe in the glimmering afterglow of early ’70s soul on this stunning track, with occasional nods to heartland folk.” — Bandcamp, on “Don’t You Know”
“From the start, the band’s laid-back, early-’70s groove, when paired with the two impossibly smooth vocalists at the forefront of the project, allowed Jones & The Indications to reach an almost nostalgic, ridiculous level of cool.” — Paste
Durand Jones & The Indications will release their sophomore album, American Love Call, on March 1st via Dead Oceans/Colemine Records. After sharing lead single, “Don’t You Know”, the band returns with the follow-up cut: the poignant, politically charged album opener, “Morning In America”. “It’s a fraught moment in our history. ‘Morning in America’ is a song for this moment,” says the band. Penned by drummer Aaron Frazer, the band has this to say regarding the track:
“The lyrics speak to how many of us feel every day in this time of political and environmental uncertainty— flitting between anger, despair, anxiety but ever returning to a sliver of hope that there’s still a path forward.
“We so often divide ourselves by our differences. Acknowledging those differences is crucial; listening to those different from us is crucial. But viewed solely through that lens, we are fragmented and few. When we look at the country along economic lines, however, a different picture emerges. Suddenly people of all of colors, in every part of this country, can find themselves on the same side, united by a shared struggle to simply survive in the richest nation to ever exist.
“This song was inspired by The Poor People’s Campaign, a movement started by Martin Luther King Jr. shortly before his assassination. It functions today as a nonpartisan organization that promotes intersectionality and inter-movement unity as a tool of addressing systemic injustices.”
It’s accompanying video, directed by Ellie Foumbi, find’s immense inspiration in the song’s message. “It’s impossible to hear this song and not connect its message to the current political climate in America,” says Foumbi. “It makes you stop and question the ways in which our country has changed and whether we’re as far along as we should be. The themes of inequality, social and economic oppression, and the disparity between the haves and the have-nots jumped out at me. The juxtaposition between past and present, rich and poor, black and white are so prevalent in our society that it only felt right to highlight them in the video.”
Watch Video For “Morning In America” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANEafqL5io
Helmed by foil vocalists Jones and Frazer, The Indications’ sound of “old-school soul with a new-school honesty” (NPR’s All Things Considered) is rounded out by Blake Rhein (guitarist), Kyle Houpt (bassist), and Steve Okonski (keyboard). The Indications will tour the US extensively this spring in support of American Love Call. A full list of tour dates are below.
Watch Video For “Don’t You Know” – https://youtu.be/A9rDPXoGSDg
Durand Jones & The Indications’ Tour Dates : March 18 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall Tue. March 19 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada Thu. March 21 – Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroots Fri. March 22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom Sat. March 23 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah — SOLD OUT Mon. March 25 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s On Newport — SOLD OUT Tue. March 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT Wed. March 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT Thu. March 28 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SOhO Restaurant & Music Club Fri. March 29 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish — SOLD OUT Sat. March 30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent — SOLD OUT Mon. April 1 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom Tue. April 2 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos Thu. April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room Fri. April 5 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater Sat. April 6 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar Sun. April 7 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room Tue. April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry Wed. April 10 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon Thu. April 11 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall Fri. April 12 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar Sat. April 13 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle Sun. April 14 – North Charleston, SC @ High Water Festival Tue. April 16 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel Wed. April 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg Fri. April 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church Sat. April 20 – Uncasville, CT @ Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Resort Sun. April 21 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall Mon. April 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar Wed. April 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Woodward Theater Fri. April 26 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East Sat. April 27 – Oxford, MS @ Double Decker Arts Festival Sun. April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West Sat. May 11 – Bloomington, IN @ Indiana University w/ Neko Case Sun. Sep. 15 – Telluride, CO @ Blues & Brews Festival
Pre-orderAmerican Love Call* – https://ffm.to/americanlovecall
*Dead Oceans exclusive bundle includes the album on limited transparent orange vinyl, limited edition transparent purple “Morning in America b/w Cruisin’ to the Park” Colemine Records white label promo 7”, a 7” adapter and poster.
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