The creatively titled ‘Weed Garden’, the forthcoming new EP from Iron & Wine, may suggest a number of things – maybe a collection of songs that didn’t fit in with carefully cultivated blooms of last year’s Beast Epic. Fear not, according to songwriter Sam Beam, it was more about getting more “into the weeds” – a creative process to finish the material. The EP is being pitched as the perfect companion piece and the urgent sounding lead track ‘What Hurts Worse’ is proof.
While on tour last fall, the final pieces fell into place and a sense of urgency prevailed in bringing these songs to fruition. Space was created at the top of the year to return to The Loft recording studio in Chicago with the band behind Beast Epic – Joe Adamik, Jim Becker, Rob Burger and Teddy Rankin-Parker. The collection of songs range from urgent (“What Hurts Worse”) to fun (“Rock and Roll Heroes”) to personal (“Talking to Fog”). The tones and themes all feel part of the larger narrative that presented itself on Beast Epic bringing this collection of characters full circle.
Weed Garden also includes the fan favourite “Waves of Galveston”. The track had become part of the live show the last few years, but never officially released until now.
Weed Garden is due for release on 31st August 2018 via Sub Pop.