NASHVILLE, TN. (Vanguard Records/ Carbon Leaf Official Website) - CARBON LEAF is finalizing plans for a fall tour in support of their forthcoming album LOVE, LOSS, HOPE, REPEAT, out
September 12 on Vanguard Records. The rousing live band, who've built a loyal following based on their headlining shows and performances with such artists as
Dave Matthews Band,
Counting Crows and John Mayer, have already confirmed concerts
September 21 at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles and October 27 at Irving Plaza in New York City.
The Virginia-based band will use the tour to debut songs from LOVE, LOSS, HOPE, REPEAT, including the first single "Learn to Fly," a soaring pop song elevated by a blissful 12-string guitar riff. Fans can certainly expect the group to perform such favorites as 2004's Top 5 AAA hit "Life Less Ordinary," "What About Everything?" and "The Boxer."
Recorded in Nashville with producer Peter Collins (Jewel, Lisa Loeb, Bon Jovi), LOVE, LOSS, HOPE, REPEAT defines CARBON LEAF as a tight instrumental unit, capable of cranking up the heat even with scaled-down arrangements based on acoustic guitar, in perfect complement to a vocal sound that can't be mistaken for anyone else's. Together with CARTER GRAVATT (guitars, mandolin, loops, vocals), TERRY CLARK (guitars, vocals), JORDAN MEDAS (bass, vocals) and SCOTT MILSTEAD (drums, percussion), singer and lyricist BARRY PRIVETT has mastered the art of singing with a compelling detachment; his voice, whether on its own or woven into two- and three-part harmony, beckons the listener into the lyric as it opens within the heart of these songs.
Between the ascent of opening song "Learn to Fly" and the witty descent of closer "International Airport," the album takes "the train to oblivion at the crossing of our lives" on "Under the Wire," trudging down roads "paved with ice from the darkest tears but brightened by the ones around you now" on "Royal One," racing down open highways toward a collision of the heart on "Comfort," and even standing still, watching helplessly as love gallops from reach on "A Girl and Her Horse." Meanwhile, "The War Was in Color" is a touching dialog between grandfather and grandson that turns, in a moment, into an unexpected, eloquent elegy.
"I wanted songs that were emotionally available to the listener and to me," he explains, "without trying to mask what I'm saying with clever language. The feelings are anxious and regretful. They talk about living up to the mistakes you've made. They examine the humanity and weaknesses of everyday life."
