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