After presenting debut single via NPR Music’s Songs We Love, the Durham, North Carolina singer and guitarist now shares “Furniture Man,” a desperate tale of poverty, dispossession, and imminent homelessness, as relevant and heartrending now as it was when first recorded in the 1920s. Aquarium Drunkard calls him “a national treasure.” Jake plays Chapel Hill tonight and opens for Wilco this month and next in Chicago and New York.
As we brace ourselves for this week’s ersatz presidential pomp, rank and rancorous politics, and righteous protests and marches, please allow us to ask one philosophical question no pundit but Jake Xerxes Fussell is asking: “Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing on a Sweet Potato Vine?” Today NPR Music premiered this first Natural Question from Jake’s forthcoming album, with Laura Snapes writing that his “burly, winking voice is made for storytelling.”
Fussell follows his celebrated s/t debut with a moving new album of Natural Questions in the form of transmogrified folk/blues koans. This time these radiant ancient tunes tone several shades darker while amplifying their absurdist humor, illuminating our national, and psychic, predicaments. Featuring art by Roger Brown and contributions from three notable Nathans—Bowles, Salsburg, and Golub—as well as Joan Shelley and Casey Toll.
News about the release show for Nathan Bowles’ Whole & Cloven at the Center for the Study of the American South, as well as PoB artists at the Hopscotch Music Festival, the Southern Accent exhibition at the Nasher Museum of Art, and tour date updates from Hiss Golden Messenger, Itasca, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Nap Eyes, Promised Land Sound, Steve Gunn, and Terry Allen.
Mississippi buddies Jake Xerxes Fussell and William Tyler reunited on stage at Duke Gardens this week in the sweltering heat, each playing sets from their most recent solo albums and joining each other for Willy T’s “Highway Anxiety,” the traditional “Star Girl” (from Jake’s s/t album, produced by Willy), Nick Lowe’s “I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass,” and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s summertime classic “Fishin’ in the Dark.”
2015 (Year of the Goat) in all its splendor and magnificence is out the door, and 2016 (Year of the Monkey) is right around the corner. Seems only appropriate to reflect on things that were, round-up some additional year end list recognition, and propel us into this next age with some upcoming tour dates.
Steve Gunn and the Way Out Band have begun their May mini-tour supporting the great Wilco, which will be followed by a long European tour through August. Plus, Jake Xerxes Fussell plays Union Pool on May 6 (check out some videos of him performing with pal and producer William Tyler.)
Prepare thyselves to break Spring, Spring Breakers. Check out these upcoming dates with Steve Gunn (with Wilco), The Weather Station (with Great Lake Swimmers), Promised Land Sound (with Alabama Shakes), Nathan Bowles (with Steve Gunn), and Jake Xerxes Fussell (with William Tyler.)
Head over to Paste to stream the entirety of Jake Xerxes Fussell’s beautiful self-titled album, produced by and featuring William Tyler. Pre-orders have begun shipping! Remember to join us for the Chapel Hill release party on Jan. 30.
Many thanks to Paste for premiering Jake’s beautiful rendition of “Star Girl” from his self-titled album, out Jan. 27.
