Critically lauded Nashville-based singer/songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips today shares “Mourning Dove” the latest track revealed from his forthcoming tenth solo album, Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff, out September 4 on Yep Roc Records.
“Of the entire album, ‘Mourning Dove’ is among the oldest songs,” Phillips offers. “I lived with it for several years and it went through various stages before its completion. I began writing it in consideration for The Narrows. Like so much of that album, it’s a reflection of what we hold dear, what we value, ‘The things we chase that can’t be kept.’ It was one of the first things I wrote after moving to Tennessee. The imagery of dogwood trees and wildflowers were inspired by my connection to this place. It’s also a vision of a world beyond strife or a rest after a long battle.”
“Come on lightning, show us your stuff,” those words from Grant-Lee Phillips’s young daughter were the inspiration for the 10-track album. Painting a beautifully human musical tapestry, each track exhibits why Phillips remains one of the strongest torchbearers of his generation and finds the veteran singer/songwriter at his most inspired.
Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff was produced by Phillips, who is featured on vocals, guitars, piano, and organ. Recorded and mixed by Pete Min (Amos Lee, Andrew Bird) at Lucy’s Meat Market in Los Angeles, CA. Phillips was joined in studio by drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant, Alison Krauss), bassist Jennifer Condos (Ray LaMontagne, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Phillips), pedal steel player Eric Haywood (Son Volt, The Jayhawks), and horn player Danny T. Levin (Iggy Pop, Regina Spektor).
The first track, “Lowest Low”, which premiered at Ditty TV, was praised by Brooklyn Vegan who noted, “Grant-Lee Phillips is back with this gentle, beautiful new single, anchored by his warm, inviting delivery.” The album’s second track, “Straight to the Ground,” premiered at SPIN, while the video for “Gather Up,” the third track, premiered at Glide Magazine who noted, “Phillips lets his gritty, soulful vocals shine while backed by a rich cacophony of percussive sounds.”
The California-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, actor, film composer, and visual artist began his career as the frontman for Grant-Lee Buffalo. Named “male vocalist of the year” by Rolling Stone, USA Today called him a “soulful balladeer” while Uncut hailed him as a “distinguished U.S. songwriter.” In 2016, he reprised his role as the beloved town troubadour in the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls.
Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff Tracklisting
1. Ain’t Done Yet
2. Drawing the Head
3. Lowest Low
4. Leave a Light On
5. Mourning Dove
6. Sometimes You Wake Up in Charleston
7. Gather Up
8. Straight to the Ground
9. Coming To
10. Walking in My Sleep
