Tobin Sprout reveals new single ‘On Golden Rivers’
From new album ‘Empty Horses’ out 18th September
“’On Golden Rivers’ is kind of the cornerstone of the album. The first song, ‘Wings/Prelude’ was written with the same chord progression, as an introduction to ‘Rivers’. And ‘No Shame’ was written as the outro to the album and song.
In all, they were continuations of the song and theme of ‘Antietam’, a song I had written back in 2010, but seemed to fit in well with the whole feel of Empty Horses.” Tobin Sprout on ‘On Golden Rivers’
Premiere on Soul-Kitchen
“Sprout’s lyrics pop with personality and wisdom” Pitchfork
“The perfect aural encapsulation of melancholy: in turns somnambulant, romantic and all-consuming” Rolling Stone
▪ Limited-edition CD artbook and vinyl LP
▪ Available with extremely limited edition of hand numbered prints
▪ A true collector’s piece, the CD artbook is beautifully packaged with 24 pages of paintings and lyrics from Tobin
Artist, illustrator, writer and lo-fi innovator, Tobin Sprout was the super-productive partner of Robert Pollard in the legendary Guided By Voices. The gifted songwriter returns with a pensive, expansive part autobiographical new album ‘Empty Horses’.
The album is a meticulously observed study of America and Americana (not the music, but the state of mind). An alternative American Songbook, if you will, a collection of laments to simpler times and the struggle for what’s right, peppered with an examination of faith and the search for a sense of justice. And, as it unravels these gritty anecdotes span the generations from the dividing and the American Civil War through to today’s confusing times.
Tobin: “It was never intended to be a concept album, it just sort of rose out of a lot of recording we were doing. ‘On Golden Rivers’ is the focal point. I always loved American history. My grandfather was always reading about the Civil War and when I was around 10, or so, he took my brother and me to Gettysburg and Shiloh. It had a real impact on me; realizing what these men must have gone through, maybe that comes out in the songs.”
He’s part Townes Van Zandt, part John Prine, part Robbie Robertson at his retrospective best; his heart beats super-slow on his sleeve – he’s in the cabin at Big Pink, a raconteur on a mission to reminisce; telling stories as only he can.
Close up and personal, ‘Empty Horses’ is a poignant carefully etched experience, a rolling journey in modern times, nodding back to tradition, a personal snapshot filled with honesty.
https://www.facebook.com/tobinsproutmusic/
FIRE RECORDS
