The great singer-songwriters Madi Diaz and Lucy Dacus just had a big weekend together at the Newport Folk Festival. Diaz and Dacus both performed at Newport, and Dacus did a guest-heavy set that included appearances from Hayley Williams, Brandon Flowers, and — hey, look at that — Madi Diaz. Williams played her own guest-heavy set, and Diaz and Dacus both joined her separately — Diaz on "Find Me Here," Dacus on "Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris." Today, Diaz shares a new version of her song "Heavy Metal" that she recorded as a duet with Dacus.
The original "Heavy Metal," which does not sound like heavy metal, appeared on Diaz's album Fatal Optimist last year. Later this summer, Diaz will release her "UN-unplugged" deluxe version of Fatal Optimist, and we already posted "This is How A Woman Leaves," a new song that'll appear on the deluxe. Diaz and Dacus performed the duet version of "Heavy Metal" at Dacus' Newport set. Dacus says, "Madi is a songwriter’s songwriter; she’s clever, restrained when she needs to be, to the point exactly when it feels right, and also just a joy to be around." Here's what Diaz says about the new version:
Doesn’t Lucy Dacus just sound like Frank Sinatra with a velvet cape and gloves on? I could listen to her verse in my ears on repeat. I was so honored when she agreed to add her sparkle to this song. She is just so unbelievably hardcore. And on top of that, the band really shines on this track in every single way. I know we somehow made a longish track even longer but every tone, every note, every little break and shimmer is just so felt and tender. It goes so hard, but oh so sweetly - I almost wish it would play for forever.
Check it out below.
Fatal Optimist (UN-unplugged) is out 9/4 on Anti-.
