Hop Along at House of Vans Chicago
Hop Along at House of Vans Chicago in 2017 (more by James Richards IV)

Hop Along share "Not Abel," add Saintseneca and Bat Fangs to tour

Hop Along will release their anticipated new album Bark Your Head Off, Dog on April 6 via Saddle Creek, and they just released a second song from it, “Not Abel.” Lead single “How Simple” was the kind of mid-tempo indie rocker that Hop Along have always excelled at, but the just-released “Not Abel” takes their sound in all kinds of new directions. It starts out as melancholic country/folk, and then brings in gorgeous string arrangements that have hints of Joanna Newsom’s orchestral side, and the song has this harder-hitting indie rock ending that’s unexpected but not at all out of place. It’s a tremendous song, and it’s got my hopes very high for this album. Listen below.

UPDATE: And actually, speaking of Joanna Newsom, Hop Along singer Frances Quinlan said this in an interview with GoldFlakePaint accompanying the song premiere:

Favourite album of the last decade?

Dang!! What a question! So much to consider. I tend to overthink everything. Ten years ago I was just graduating from college. That’s pretty trippy. I am very late to the game on this album, but recently been jamming Joanna Newsom’s Have One on Me – I am a huge fan of hers, but this album was especially intimidating to dig into as it’s 3 LPs. I always need time with her. Ys is my favorite, but that’s 12 years old. Dang.

As mentioned, Hop Along are also touring, including Willie Nelson’s “Luck Reunion” during SXSW, a Brooklyn Steel show on May 30 (tickets), and more. Openers have now been added to that tour. There’s one leg with Saintseneca and one with Ex Hex/Flesh Wounds offshoot Bat Fangs, and both of those bands will be on the Brooklyn Steel show. Killer triple bill. Updated dates are listed below.

Hop Along — 2018 Tour Dates
3/15: Spicewood, TX @ Luck Reunion
5/1: Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt *
5/2: Holyoke, MA @ Gateway City Arts *
5/3: Boston, MA @ Royale *
5/5: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar *
5/6: Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry *
5/7: Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall *
5/8: Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall *
5/10: Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West *
5/11: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn *
5/12: Nashville, TN @ Exit / In *
5/14: Indianapolis, IN @ The Hi-Fi *
5/15: Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups *
5/19: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
5/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel # *
6/1: Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall #
6/2: Montreal, QC @ Le Belmont #
6/3: South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground #
6/5: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
6/6: Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit #
6/8: Toronto, ON @The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern #
6/9: Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch #
6/10: Chicago, IL @ Metro #
6/12: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall #
6/13: St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club #
6/16: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room #
6/18: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada #
6/19: Austin, TX @ Barracuda #
6/20:Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall #
6/22: St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
6/23: Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar %

* = Saintseneca supporting
# = Bat Fangs supporting
% = Ratboys supporting