Athens, Georgia roots-rockers Futurebirds have been around for more than 15 years, and they've got a bunch of records to their name. The band's membership includes three singer-songwriters: Daniel "Womz" Womack, Carter King, and Thomas "Tojo" Johnson. When you've got that many people writing tracks, you have to release a lot of music. Two years ago, Futurebirds worked with big-deal indie producer Brad Cook on their album Easy Company, and Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield sang backup. Now, Futurebirds are following that with a new double album.
The upcoming Futurebirds record is called Far Out Country, which is both a title and a mission statement. Once again, the band recorded with Brad Cook. Once again, Katie Crutchfield sings backup, as does Richmond Americana singer-songwriter Maggie Antone. Far Out Country is a double album that's effectively divided into two records. They recorded the first half life-to-tape at Texas' Sonic Ranch studios and the second half in smaller studios, laying down individual tracks. Here's what Carter King has to say about the enterprise:
We’re really excited to be releasing our first double record in the truest sense. Far Out Country I & II are the two different lenses of the 3D movie glasses. Our three different songwriting perspectives speaking with each other about a shared life, experienced unbelievably close together, and also far apart. It’s a daytime talk, and another one deeper in the night. Far Out Country is a place, not a sound. It’s a place outside ourselves that hopefully helps us see inside the house a little more clearly. New terrain is always best explored with friends. Always use the buddy system, and be safe out there. The full double album will be available on vinyl out of the gates, but digitally, I & II will live and breathe on their own, unfolding one-at-a-time. Come on out and find us.
Given that this band has three frontmen and a whole mess of new songs, they naturally had to share three early singles. Below, check out "Sienna Life," "Sleepless In The Cage," and "Ghost Moon," which share a general pleasant vibe without melting into one another, as well as the Far Out Country tracklist and the band's tour dates.
TRACKLIST:
Far Out Country I:
01 "Sienna Life"
02 "Sleepless In The Cage"
03 "Marco Polo I"
04 "Nervous Ground"
05 "Ghost Moon"
06 "Fly On"
07 "Gsus Take The Wheel"
08 "Wishin'"
09 "Featherbed"
Far Out Country II:
10 "I’m Yr Mane"
11 "Sober Somewhere"
12 "Pretty Eyes"
13 "Far Out Country"
14 "Talk About The Band"
15 "Laugh In Your Sleep"
16 "Marco Polo II"
17 "All I Want"
18 "Long Time Gone"
TOUR DATES:
4/30 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ The Boathouse
5/22 – Savannah, GA @ The Park At Eastern Wharf
5/23-24 – Isle of Palms, SC @ The Windjammer
6/05 – Greensboro, NC @ The Pyrle
6/06 – Richmond, VA @ The National
6/08 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/09 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall
6/11 – Boston, MA @ Royale
6/12 – Woodstock, NY @ Levon Helm Studios
6/13 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/16 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
6/18 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
6/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
6/20 – Winnetka, IL @ Winnetka Music Festival
7/08 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar
7/10 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
7/11 – Beaver Creek, CO @ Vilar Performing Arts Center
7/14 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
7/15 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box
7/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
7/18 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
7/19 – Camino, CA @ Delfino Farms
7/22 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
7/23 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
7/24 – Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theatre Courtyard
7/25 – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club Ballroom
7/28 – Teton Village, WY @ Mangy Moose
7/30 – Lander, WY @ Lander Presents: Summer Concert Series
7/31 - 8/01 — Livingston, MT @ Pine Creek Lodge
9/02 – Nantucket, MA @ The Muse
9/06 – Portland, ME @ Ghostland
11/14 – Wilmington, NC @ BAD Day Music & Arts Festival
Far Out Country is out 6/5 on Dualtone.
