I can feel summer in the air – Hiss Golden Messenger has announced the release of their new album Jump for Joy (Merge Records) on August 25th; described as being musically, lyrically, and conceptually, unlike any previous Hiss Golden Messenger album. Marking the announcement is a humourous video (directed by Rett Rogers, and starring M.C.’s pal Jonny Fritz) for the first single – the anthemic “Nu-Grape”; shot at Ol’ Grape Headquarters where there’s a bad deal going down.
Taylor is joined by his regular bandmates – Chris Boemer (guitar), Alex Bingham (bass), Nick Falk (drums) and Sam Fribush (keys), equally tight but deliciously spacious in its delivery. They are aided by friends Aoife O’Donovan and Amy Helm who join in on the chorus that channels American poet Mary Oliver…
M.C. Taylor says:
“Nu-Grape” is a song about a lot of things, including the impossibility—nay, the futility—of permanence that borrows a little bit of atmosphere from that syrupy, swinging grape soda, and a spoonful from poet Mary Oliver, who once asked to be “the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful.”
We are promised (and I believe!) optimistic and groove-filled songs from bandleader, singer and songwriter M.C. Taylor. The narrative of the songs is somewhat autobiographical as he created a character to represent himself through the various experiences he has had throughout his life in music.
Jump For Joy Tracklisting
- 20 Years and a Nickel
- Alice
- I Saw the New Day in the World
- Shinbone
- Little Pink Church
- Jesus Is Bored
- Nu-Grape
- Feeling Eternal
- Jump for Joy
- The Wondering
- Palo Santo/Cloud Mesa
- California King
- My Old Friends
- Sunset on the Faders
Jump for Joy is available for preorder HERE.
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER TOUR DATES
July 21 – Waldoboro, ME – Waldo Theatre (M.C. Taylor Solo)
July 22 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square (M.C. Taylor Solo) [SOLD OUT]
July 23 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square (M.C. Taylor Solo) [SOLD OUT]
August 4-8 – Kaslo Bay Park, BC – Kaslo Jazz Etc. Fest
September 15 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
September 16 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom+
September 17 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
October 19 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House*
October 20 – Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club*
October 21 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
October 22 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall*
October 25 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair*
October 26 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair*
October 27 – Holyoke, MA – Race Street Live*
October 28 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB*
October 29 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre*
November 1 – Detroit, MI – El Club*
November 2 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom*
November 3 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line*
November 4 – Chicago, IL – Metro*
November 5 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Indy*
November 7 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn#
November 9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl#
November 10 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West#
November 11 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel#
November 28 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub#
November 29 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub#
November 30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall#
December 1 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room#
December 2 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre#
December 4 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room#
December 5 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory#
December 7 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre^
December 8 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre^
December 9 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall^
December 10 – Eugene, OR – W.O.W. Hall^
December 11 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s^
December 13 – Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre^
December 14 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore^
December 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour^
December 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room^
December 30 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
December 31 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
March 1–8, 2024 – Miami, FL – Cayamo Cruise
+ with special guest William Tyler & The Impossible Truth
* with special guest Sylvie
# with special guest Adeem The Artist
^ with special guest The Lostines