Craig Finn details new album, shares “Blankets”
The Hold Steady's Craig Finn recently performed his entire new album at Brooklyn's Murmrr Theatre, and now he has officially revealed details for the album. It's called I Need A New War and it comes out April 26 via Partisan. He once again worked with producer Josh Kaufman and engineer D. James Goodwin, and as mentioned, his band for the album was the same one he had at Murmrr: Kaufman plus Stuart Bogie, Sam Kassirer, Annie Nero, Cassandra Jenkins, and Joe Russo. Craig says:
Going in, I saw this record as the third part of a trilogy. Thematically, this was the third group of songs that I had written about smaller moments - people trying to stay afloat in modern times, attempting to find connection, achieving tiny triumphs and frustrating let downs in their day to day lives.
Perhaps forward motion is everything. The characters in the songs on this record, and the last two, are trying to keep up and keep their heads above water. They succeed or they don’t, but their stories are the tales of their attempts at pushing ahead. And so, with my own push forward, I feel lucky and excited to be sharing these songs and stories.
The first single is "Blankets," which has that trademark Craig Finn sound but also covers some new ground, and it's got some gorgeous background harmonies. Listen and check out the album artwork and tracklist below.
Craig has his Europe/UK tour with Brian Fallon coming up, and The Hold Steady also have upcoming shows, including their NJ/CT shows in May and Boston with Frank Turner. Craig is also promising to tour the US in the spring (dates TBA). All announced dates are listed below.
Tracklist
1. Blankets
2. Magic Marker
3. A Bathtub In The Kitchen
4. Indications
5. Grant At Galena
6. Something To Hope For
7. Carmen Isn’t Coming In Today
8. Holyoke
9. Her With The Blues
10. Anne Marie & Shane
Craig Finn -- 2019 Tour Dates
5 FEB 2019 / UK / Newcastle / Wylam Brewery*
6 FEB 2019 / UK / Edinburgh / The Queen’s Hall*
7 FEB 2019 / UK / Manchester / Albert Hall*
8 FEB 2019 / UK / London / Union Chapel*
9 FEB 2019 / UK / London / Union Chapel*
11 FEB 2019 / NL / Amsterdam / Meerwart*
12 FEB 2019 / BE / Brussels / AB Flex*
13 FEB 2019 / DE / Bochum / Christuskirche*
15 FEB 2019 / DE / Munich / Neue Theaterfabrik*
16 FEB 2019 / CH / Zurich / Dynamo*
17 FEB 2019 / IT / Milan / Santeria Social Club*
19 FEB 2019 / DE / Hamburg / Markthalle*
20 FEB 2019 / DE / Hannover / Capitol*
22 FEB 2019 / UK / Cambridge / The Junction*
23 FEB 2019 / UK / Brighton / St George’s Church*
24 FEB 2019 / UK / Bath / Komedia*
25 FEB 2019 / UK / Cardiff / Tramshed*
26 FEB 2019 / UK / Manchester / Albert Hall*
27 FEB 2019 / IE / Dublin / Academy*
* supporting Brian Fallon
The Hold Steady -- 2019 Tour Dates
3/8 Electric Ballroom Camden, London
3/9 Electric Ballroom Camden, London
3/10 Oslo Hackney, London
5/16 White Eagle Hall Jersey City, NJ
5/17 House of Blues Boston, MA w/ Frank Turner
5/18 Space Ballroom Hamden, CT