ARTIST OF THE DAY: CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING

Christopher Paul Stelling’s new album Best Of Luck is a supremely accessible and finely crafted record that deftly merges genres. Producer Ben Harper, who has previously produced records by Mavis Staples, Rickie Lee Jones, The Blind Boys of Alabama and more, recruited an all-star rhythm section with Jimmy Paxson (Stevie Nicks, Dixie Chicks) on drums and upright bass player Mike Valerio (Randy Newman, LA Philharmonic) to lend a versatility and finesse. “I really believe this record is the intersection where folk and soul meet,” Harper says.

Today Stelling has released the tender new song “Lucky Stars”. The sonic simplicity of “Lucky Stars” reveals a richness of melody and emotionality in Stelling’s music. “It’s part love song, part lullaby,” Stelling says of the track, “with a gentle touch from the band and Ben’s haunting lap steel matching my guitar in the instrumental section, additional vocals by my partner. It’s about gratitude and the mysteries of the universe. Even to just be here and marvel at it all is enough for me most times. Even if it’s meaningless, it’s beautiful.”

STREAM ‘LUCKY STARS’ ON SPOTIFY AND SOUNDCLOUD

Throughout Best of Luck, feelings discontent and self-doubt are transformed into messages of resilience and hope. Lead single “Trouble Don’t Follow Me” captures this perfectly, with an upbeat almost anthemic rhythm and soulful, gospel-tinged vocals. Watch Stelling’s energetic live performance of the track HERE. “It comes as no surprise to me that one of my most optimistic songs could be written in the most difficult hour,” Stelling says. “When all I needed was a little hope and a song I could play night after night and not get tired of. Something that captured the basic recipe for endurance. A song about marching on, a warning to anything that might stand in your way, and needing to feel strong for the people around you, so you can inspire them to do the same.”

At the end of March Christopher Paul Stelling will start his European tour in Sweden – all upcoming tour dates are listed below.

European Tour Dates 

March 28 – Gustavsberg, SWE @ R’n’R Diner
March 29 – Stockholm, SWE @ Twang
March 30 – Oslo, NO @ Krøsset
March 31 – Malmö, SWE @ Folk å Rock

April 1 – Odense, DK – Dexter
April 2 – Gladsaxe, DK – Richter
April 3 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub

April 4 – Cologne, DE @ Weltempfänger
April 5 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg
April 6 – London, UK – The Old Blue Last
April 7 – Chester, UK – St. Mary’s Creative Space
April 8 – Glasgow, UK – Broadcast
April 10 – Oostende, BE – De Zwerver
April 11 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotown

April 13 – Recklinghausen, DE @ Creative Outlaws
April 15 – Milano, IT – Legend Club
April 16 – Torino, IT – Blah Blah
April 17 – Florence, IT – Arci Progresso
April 18 – Ravenna, IT – Boca Barranca
April 20 – Langnau, CH – Kaptn Holger
April 22 – Barberaz, FR – Le Brin de Zinc
April 23 – Nevers, FR – La Tavern’
April 28 – Barcelona, ES – Casa Gracia
April 29 – Zaragoza, ES – Rock & Blues Café
April 30 – Madrid, ES – El Intruso
May 1 – Vigo, ES – Radar Estudios
May 2 – Braga, PT – Teatro Circo

May 6 – Brussels, BE @ Secret Show
May 8 – Groningen, NL – Der-Aa Theater

May 9 – Middelburg, NL @ Kaffee ’t Hof

August 27/30 – Tønder, DK @ Tønder Festival
Spetmeber 12 – Enschede, NL @ Tuckerville

Pre-Order ‘Best of Luck’
CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING

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