For their fourth studio album, Garden Party, Ripley Johnson captured some of the dynamic energy of Rose City Band’s live sets to great effect, from great outro jams to “heralding the soft breezes of spring and summer.” For their new album, Sol Y Sombra, out January 24th, 2025, on Thrill Jockey, we’re told that Johnson took inspiration from his love of private press records from the 70s. The ensemble he has lined up for this new outing includes pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg and drummer John Jeffrey.
From their sound to their beautifully crafted vinyl releases, Rose City Band have always had a distinctive, undeniable sun-kissed warmth that’s hard to resist. On this new release, there are darker hues: “With Rose City Band, I’m generally trying to make uplifting music, good time music,” says Johnson. “This time, I couldn’t avoid the shadow being more of a presence. There’s no getting away from it. The shadow is always there. So, I left it in.”
Their lead single, “Lights on the Way”, is described as a halogen on the highways, a beam of light pressing onward past dashed lines and soaring with Johnson’s guitar work and lush harmonies. Despite the shadows Johnson talks of, there are great moments of respite.
Rose City Band have also announced a headlining North American tour this coming Winter/Spring, following their current tour throughout Australia, with more worldwide dates still to be announced.
| Rose City Band tour dates |
| Oct. 10 – Brisbane, QLD – Black Bear Lodge w/ Andrew Tuttle [tickets] |
| Oct. 11 – Eltham, NSW – Eltham Hotel w/ Andrew Tuttle [tickets] |
| Oct. 12 – Melbourne, VIC – Out on the Weekend [tickets] |
| Oct. 13 – Korumburra, VIC – Out on the Weekend [tickets] |
| Oct. 15 – Perth, WA – Fremantle Arts Space [tickets] |
| Oct. 17 – Melbourne, VIC – Kindred Studios |
| Oct. 18 – Lorne, VIC – Lorne Theatre |
| Oct. 19 – Ballarat, VIC – Ballarat Art Gallery |
| Nov. 21 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown [tickets] |
| Nov. 22 – Trout Lake, WA – Trout Lake Hall [tickets] |
| Feb. 20 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile [tickets] |
| Feb. 21 – Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret [tickets] |
| Feb. 23 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios [tickets] |
| Mar. 5 – Arcata, CA – Miniplex [tickets] |
| Mar. 6 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel [tickets] |
| Mar. 7 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room [tickets] |
| Mar. 8 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar [tickets] |
| Mar. 9 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s |
| Mar. 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar [tickets] |
| Mar. 11 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister [tickets] |
| Mar. 13 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall [tickets] |
| Mar. 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge |
| Mar. 15 – Boise, ID – Neurolux [tickets] |
Pre-order Rose City Band’s Sol Y Sombra:
https://thrilljockey.com/products/sol-y-sombra