Dear Companion by subpop

Here it is, folks.  The title track from our new record.  Listen away, and if you like it, please visit your local indie record shop (find it here: http://www.thinkindie.com/state.html) on release day this Tuesday, Feb.16 and pick up a copy of your very own!  Or, better yet, come see us on the tour we’ve put together and get your copy in person.  Check out the tour page to see if we’ll be coming through your hometown.

Joining Ben and me for these shows are Dan Dorff, Jr. (on percussion and keys), and Cheyenne Marie Mize (playing violin and electric guitar).  Hope to see you in the coming weeks!

(Learn more about Dear Companion.)

http://www.buzzgrinder.com

Here we are, nearing the end of the first month in this new year, and two fine things have happened:

1. Julie Hill and Kevin Bayer have made this fine website for me.
2. Henry Kruse (an outstanding luthier in Cincinnati, OH) has completed the restoration of my Great Granddad’s banjo.

The site, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, is really something.  The banjo, as you can see from this photo, is also remarkable.  It plays just as even as you could hope for, and sounds like all those old folk records we know and love.  I’m slowly figuring out how it works.  It’s a whole different ballgame, let me tell you.

We’ve got a new record coming out before too long and a new tour coming up, to which we’ll be adding some Western U.S. dates shortly.  Check back, ok?

-dmm

Silas House and Jason Howard have brought us Something’s Rising, an illuminating book full of stories from people living with the devastation of Mountaintop Removal in Appalachia. Please read it.