In a heartfelt personal letter penned by Seth Avett, Grammy Award®-nominated alternative folk collective The Avett Brothers revealed today that they will be releasing their new album, True Sadness [American/Republic Records], on Friday June 24, 2016. The first single is titled “Ain’t No Man.” Read the letter here.
The record reflects the band’s artistic, musical, and personal evolution over 16 years as a band. Eloquently describing what’s to come on the horizon, Seth writes, “True Sadness is a patchwork quilt, both thematically and stylistically. Wherein a myriad of contrasting fabrics make perfect sense on the same plane, this album draws upon countless resources from its writers and performers.”
He goes on to cite pervasive and cornerstone influences such as, “Queen, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jimmie Rodgers, Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails, Gillian Welch, Aretha Franklin, Walt Disney, Pink Floyd, Kings of Convenience, calypso of the 1950’s and country of the 1930’s.”
Most importantly, he assures, “Throughout the album, we stitched together the boldest red and the calmest green, polka dots and stripes, the roughest denim and the smoothest velveteen. They came together because they are the best patterns we have and because each of us brought our own fabric to the quilting frame.”
Heralding the album’s impending arrival, the band have lined up headlining SXSW performances in Austin, TX this week. They’ll perform at “Music is Universal” presented by Marriott Rewards and Universal Music Wednesday, March 16 at JW Marriott Austin and at the Republic Records Showcase on Thursday, March 17 at Scoot Inn.
In addition, this summer, the group plays some of the world’s most iconic venues on its full-scale North American headlining tour. They’ll play Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 8, the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on April 29, and host a three-night stand at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO 7/28-7/30. It promises to be their most memorable summer yet. Check out the full itinerary below.
NEW TOUR DATES:
SXSW
3/16                 Austin, TX                   “Music is Universal” @ JW Marriott Austin
3/17                 Austin, TX                   Republic Records Showcase @ The Scoot Inn
SPRING & SUMMER TOUR DATES:
4/7                   Wilmington, NC           Azalea Festival
4/8                   New York, NY             Madison Square Garden*
4/9                   Port Chester, NY        The Capitol Theatre
4/10                 Worcester, MA             DCU Arena*
419                  Ft Wayne, IN               Embassy Theatre
4/21                 Chicago, IL                  Chicago Theater
4/22                 Chicago, IL                  Chicago Theater
4/23                 Chicago, IL                  Chicago Theater
4/29                 Los Angeles, CA         Greek Theatre#
4/30                 Berkeley, CA              Greek Theatre#
5/5                   Tuscaloosa, AL           Tuscaloosa Amphitheater*
5/6                   Nashville, TN              Bridgestone Arena^
5/7                   Alpharetta, GA            Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre^
5/12                 Pittsburgh, PA             Stage AE Outdoors
5/14                 Philadelphia, PA          Mann Center
5/15                 Fairfax, VA                  Eagle Bank Arena^
6/2-5                Hunter, NY                  Mountain Jam Festival
6/3                   Baltimore, MD             Pier Six Concert Pavilion
6/4                   Baltimore, MD             Pier Six Concert Pavilion
6/9                   St. Louis, MO              Chaifetz Arena*
6/10                 Milwaukee, WI            BMO Harris Arena
6/11                 Minneapolis, MN         Target Center*
6/14                 Deadwood, SD           Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center
6/16                 Muskogee, OK            G Fest
6/18                 Dallas, TX                   Gexa Energy Pavilion
6/19                 Austin, TX                   Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater
7/4                   Portland, ME               Thompson’s Point
7/7                   Syracuse, NY             Landmark Theatre
7/8                   Chautauqua, NY         Chautauqua Amphitheater
7/9                   Toledo, OH                 Toledo Zoo Amphitheater
7/15-17            Louisville, KY              Forecastle Festival
7/21-22            Troutdale, OR             Edgefield
7/23                 Kent, WA                     ShoWare Arena
7/25                 Nampa, ID                  Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
7/28                 Morrison, CO              Red Rocks Amphitheatre&
7/29                 Morrison, CO              Red Rocks Amphitheatre%
7/30                 Morrison, CO              Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
9/16                 Lincoln, CA                 Thunder Valley Casino Resort^
9/16-18            Del Mar, CA                Kaaboo Del Mar
*w/Brandi Carlile
^w/Brett Dennen
#w/Milk Carton Kids
&w/Nahko and Medicine for the People
%w/Gary Clark Jr.
!w/J Mascis