Boston’s Palehound reveal their debut album Dry Food, streaming exclusively with NPR First Listen now until release on August 14 via Exploding In Sound. Fronted by Ellen Kempner, the 21-year-old guitarist and songwriter is joined live by drummer Jesse Weiss (Grass is Green) and bassist Nick Koechel. The album was recorded with Gabe Wax (Wye Oak, Speedy Ortiz), and highlights Kempner’s whispery alto voice and sophisticated musicianship, giving it a raw, confessional feel, even on louder, rattling tracks.
Dry Food is full of sonic and emotional twist in turns as it was written at a time in Kempner’s life that was defined by instability and uncertainty. While the album chronicles a particularly rough time in Kempner’s life, it does so with verve and grit, not to mention sterling musicianship and wry lyrics. Dry Food is a flag-plant by a young woman with a lot on her mind and talent to burn.
In support of the new record, Palehound is set on a national tour making stops in New York, DC, Chicago, their native Boston, and many more. Be sure to catch them live in a city near you; dates below!
^ = w/ Basement, LVL UP & Adventures
* = w/ Gardens & Villa
8/9: Atlanta, GA @ Parts Unknown w/ Femignome, and Pretty Boy
8/10: Orlando, FL @ The Social ^
8/11: Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall ^
8/12: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – Back Room ^
8/13: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^
8/14: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer ^
8/16: Boston, MA @ Royale ^
8/17: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater ^
8/22: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair (“Exploding In Sound Extended Weekend” show)
w/ Krill, Big Ups, LVL UP, and Stove
9/3: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Mug w/ LVL Up, Eskimeaux
9/4: Annandale-On-Hudson, NY @ The Root Cellar w/ LVL Up, O Face, Pleistocene
9/5: Syracuse, NY @ Scarier Dome
9/6: Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar
9/8: Ann Arbor, MI @ TBA
9/9: Kalamazoo, MI @ Millhouse
9/11: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
9/17: Austin, TX @ The Parish*
9/18: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada*
9/19: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
9/20: New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa*
9/22: Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
9/23: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – Back Room*
9/24: Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel*
9/25: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg*
9/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle*
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