Petal tells us what she's listening to ahead of tour ++ win tix to NYC show!

Last year, Petal released her very good album Magic Gone on Run For Cover, a Tom Petty covers split with Kevin Devine, and did a lot of touring (we caught her at Bowery Ballroom with Camp Cope, where she sounded great). Petal’s got even more tour dates coming up this year, including a January US run with Sir Babygirl and Cave People, followed by dates in Europe, the UK, and Japan.

The tour begins in Cleveland tonight (1/16), and ahead of the tour, we caught up with Petal to ask what music she’s been listening to lately. She sent a list that includes both of her US tourmates, Sir Babygirl and Cave People, as well as some 2018 faves like The Carters, Christine and the Queens, The Sidekicks, and MNEK, and some classics like Neil Young, Dolly Parton, The Carpenters, and Thelma Houston. Check out her whole list (with commentary on each pick and streams of each song) below.

The tour with Sir Babygirl and Cave People hits Brooklyn’s Rough Trade on January 25. Tickets for that show are still on sale, and we’re also giving away a pair. For a chance to win, enter via the contest widget below. A winner will be chosen at random and contacted with more info. Good luck!

WHAT PETAL IS LISTENING TO

“Body” – MNEK

Language is one of my favorite records from 2018. MNEK is easily one of the best contemporary pop artists right now both in songwriting and vocally. This song makes me dance around the shop where I work when I’m not on tour and is making me excited to blast it in the van in a couple weeks! This whole record is mandatory listening.

“Southern Man” – Neil Young

I love the instrumentation and production on this song. I’ve been listening to a lot of Neil Young because the lyrics are pointed and simple and I want to try and write more songs like that. I love Neil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVRxdPWV3RM

“Don’t Feel Like Dancing” – The Sidekicks

Happiness Hours was another one of my favorite records from 2018. This song feels seared in my mind and body from this past year and I’m happy to take it into this 2019 tour with me.

“Doesn’t Matter” – Christine and The Queens

OMG THIS SONG, THIS RECORD. Her singing and her lyrics are so percussive. She puts on an incredible show and inspires me to try and take the live show to the next level. What an incredible performer.

“LOVEHAPPY” – The Carters

This record is masterful. I love hearing Beyonce and Jay-Z bounce back and forth in such a candid way, poking fun at each other and there’s no doubt that they are the best at what they do. I love the lyrics “we’re flawed but we’re still perfect for each other” and “we went through hell with heaven on our side.”

“Here You Come Again” – Dolly Parton

This song and her voice are timeless. I’ve been listening to a lot of Dolly while I’m work and around the house. I love the key changes between the verse and the bridge.

“Don’t Leave Me This Way” – Thelma Houston

I love disco. I love this song. I love the phrasing and the chord progression in the verses. It makes the pay off of the chorus so satisfying and the bass line is FUCKED UP.

“Superstar” – The Carpenters

Karen Carpenter has such a beautiful voice. I love singing this song in my car very loud ala Tommy Boy. I want to cover this song with Andy Shauf.

“Flirting With Her” – Sir Babygirl

Their voice is out of control. I love the lyric “I’ll lend you this, I’ll lend you that, just promise you’ll never give it back.” I’m so excited to have Sir Babygirl on tour with us.

“Try” – Cave People

Dave is one of my favorite song writers. I can’t wait to watch them play every night this January.

Petal — 2019 Tour Dates
Jan 16 – Cleveland, OH @ Mahall’s
Jan 17 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Jan 19 – Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo
Jan 20 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Jan 21 – St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Jan 22 – Columbus, OH @ Big Room Bar
Jan 23 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
Jan 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Jan 25 – New York, NY @ Rough Trade
Jan 26 – Hamden, CT @ The Space
Jan 27 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Feb 6 – Vienna, AT @ Haus der Musik
Feb 8 – Nyon, CH @ La Parenthese – FREE SHOW
Feb 13 – Hamburg, DE @ Turmzimmer
Feb 15 – Haldern, DE @ Haldern Pop Bar – FREE SHOW
Feb 16 – Cologne, DE @ Studio 672
Feb 17 – Brussels, BE @ AB Salon – FREE SHOW
Feb 19 – Brighton, UK @ Hope & Ruin
Feb 20 – London, UK @ The Islington
Feb 22 – Bristol, UK @ Crofters
Feb 24 – Birmingham, UK @ Hare & Hounds
Feb 25 – Manchester, UK @ Gulliver’s
Feb 26 – Leeds, UK @ Oporto
Feb 27 – Glasgow, UK @ Hug & Pint
March 1 – Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s
March 20 – Tokyo, Japan @ 初台 WALL
March 21 – Tokyo, Japan @ 初台 WALL
March 22 – Nagoya, Japan @ Tsurumai DAYTRIP
March 23 – Osaka, Japan @ CONPASS
March 24 – Tokyo, Japan @ West Eifuku JAM