Merge Records has announced Fruit Bats, the songwriting project of Eric D. Johnson, is now part of the label’s stellar family.  Accompanying this news is a beautiful new Fruit Bats song titled “Getting in a Van Again” and a making-of documentary that digs deep into the mechanics of songwriting, recording, new physical media, and literal soil. EDJ says, “This short film by my brilliant friend Jonny Look may or may not be real. Actually, it’s totally real.”
Eric also had this to say about signing into Merge: “I’ve had a mega label crush on them for two-plus decades. I’m considering building a time machine to tell my past self about this, who will not believe it. My current self is also beyond thrilled.”
Fruit Bats are currently on the road with Vetiver, performing each other’s music (and maybe some covers) together as a duo. Following those shows, Eric joins Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield and many other all-star musicians to celebrate The Band’s The Last Waltz at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. In the new year, Fruit Bats heads to the west coast for a trio of shows in the Pacific Northwest.
Fruit Bats on tour:
Nov 08 Asheville, NC – The Mothlight*
Nov 09 Knoxville, TN – Open Chord*
Nov 10 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle Back Room*
Nov 11 Richmond, VA – Capital Ale House*
Nov 13 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage*
Nov 14 Philadelphia, PA – The Locks at Sona*
Nov 15 Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool*
Nov 17 Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre (The Complete Last Waltz)
Jan 17 Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo
Jan 18 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
Jan 19 Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
* w/ Vetiver