Album release: February 2021
Label: Thirty Tigers
More info: The Hold Steady’s website
The Hold Steady today announces their eighth studio album, Open Door Policy, arriving on the band’s own Positive Jams label via Thirty Tigers in February 2021. They band are also sharing the first single from the record, “Family Farm”.
Recorded at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, NY with producer Josh Kaufman and engineer D. James Goodwin, Open Door Policy marks the second LP by The Hold Steady to feature the band’s current six-piece lineup. Additional performers include Stuart Bogie and Jordan McLean on horns, Cassandra Jenkins and Annie Nero on backup vocals, and Matt Barrick on percussion.
Talking about the new album, singer and guitarist Craig Finn says: “Open Door Policy was very much approached as an album vs. a collection of individual songs, and it feels like our most musically expansive record,” says singer Craig Finn. “This album was written and almost entirely recorded before the pandemic started, but the songs and stories explore power, wealth, mental health, technology, capitalism, consumerism, and survival – issues which have compounded in 2020.”
Continuing about the new single “Family Farm” he says: “Songs are created a bunch of different ways in The Hold Steady, but to me, our most classic songs are driving rock songs with piano breaks. “Family Farm” fits the bill. The genesis of the song was the guitar riff that starts the song. Tad Kubler played a home demo for me and our producer Josh Kaufman, and we thought it was worth pursuing. At this point it had the working title “August”. We brought it to the band and Franz had the idea for the bridge. This seemed like a “scene change” of sorts, and gave the song more depth and intrigue. We recorded it in December 2019 at the Clubhouse in upstate NY, just after our annual run of shows at the Brooklyn Bowl. Our friends Stuart Bogie and Jordan McLean added horns a bit later. I was personally happy to get a mention of Van Halen’s “Eruption” in the lyrics, and I appreciate it even more after Eddie Van Halen’s unfortunate recent passing. Overall, it feels like a song that will be fun to play live – uptempo, dynamic and a chorus with shout along potential.”
Listen to “Family Farm” on streaming services here and on YouTube below.
PRE-ORDER OPEN DOOR POLICY HERE
The Hold Steady will herald Open Door Policy this week at the 2020 edition of Massive Nights, the band’s legendary multi-night celebration of music and community held each year at Brooklyn, NY’s Brooklyn Bowl. Set for December 3, 4, and 5, this very special Massive Nights will be livestreamed around the world, allowing everyone everywhere to raise a glass and sing a favorite song alongside fellow fans far and wide. Single-night tickets and three-day passes are available now, exclusively via FANS.LIVE. Limited tickets to an additional Soundcheck/Happy Hour event on Friday, December 4 are also on sale.
Open Door Policy is available for digital and physical pre-orders beginning today. All pre-orders will be joined by an instant-grat download of the new song, “Family Farm,” premiering today at all streaming services. In addition, Open Door Policy is being released in a variety of formats, including standard black vinyl and limited editions of CD and colored vinyl. Positive Jams/Thirty Tigers will also be offering an exclusive limited edition colored vinyl for independent record stores.
THE HOLD STEADY
MASSIVE NIGHTS 2020
LIVE FROM THE BROOKLYN BOWL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 – 9:00 PM ET
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 – SOUNDCHECK/HAPPY HOUR
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 – 9:00 PM ET
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 – 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM GMT)
PURCHASE MASSIVE NIGHTS 2020 TICKETS
In addition, The Hold Steady is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their fifth studio album, HEAVEN IS WHENEVER, with a very special double-album reissue. HEAVEN IS WHENEVER Deluxe Edition is available now on black vinyl and limited edition colored vinyl plus a number of exclusive bundles – including limited edition T-shirts, bandanas, and THS face masks – available now via theholdsteady.net. The newly remastered vinyl version of HEAVEN IS WHENEVER Deluxe Edition collects nine rare and previously unreleased bonus songs,
and includes liner notes by Drive-By Truckers co-founding singer-songwriter-guitarist Patterson Hood. The digital release of HEAVEN IS WHENEVER Deluxe Edition is joined by six additional previously unreleased songs available exclusively at DSPs.
PURCHASE HEAVEN IS WHENEVER DELUXE EDITION
The Hold Steady is: Bobby Drake (drums), Craig Finn (vocals), Tad Kubler (guitar, vocals), Franz Nicolay (keyboards, vocals), Galen Polivka (bass), and Steve Selvidge (guitar, vocals).
The Hold Steady – Open Door Policy album artwork | Download hi-res HERE
THE HOLD STEADY
OPEN DOOR POLICY
(Positive Jams/Thirty Tigers)
Release Date: February 2021
TRACKLIST:
1. The Feelers
2. Spices
3. Lanyards
4. Family Farm
5. Unpleasant Breakfast
6. Heavy Covenant
7. The Prior Procedure
8. Riptown
9. Me & Magdalena
10. Hanover Camera
11. Parade Days*
*Digital Only
Find The Hold Steady online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify
More information
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