New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) Hear Lead Track Track "Goshen '97" (Feat. J Mascis) On YouTube (https://bit.ly/1hcmDGf) and SoundCloud (https://bit.ly/1gUOvV4) Strand Of Oaks—aka Philadelphia's Timothy Showalter—will release his Dead Oceans debut, 'HEAL,' on June 24. From the exhilarating opening guitar salvo of "Goshen '97," which features Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, it's clear that a musical evolution has taken place since we last heard from Strand of Oaks on 2012's 'Dark Shores.' The skeletal, haunted folk of his acclaimed early records has given way to a thrilling synth and guitar-heavy, full-tilt band sound, the kind of intense and immersive experience fans will recognize from Strand of Oaks' extensive touring with artists like The Tallest Man On Earth and Phosphorescent. He'll mark the release with a full-band performance at the Mercury Lounge in New York on June 26. Check out "Goshen '97," which premiered via the World Café, here: https://n.pr/1h2NuKR
"I'm inspired by bands that go the distance, to a dangerous place," say Showalter, who plays nearly all the instruments on the new record. "There's an uncertainty to 'HEAL' that makes me nervous and excited at the same time. It's sad, but it sounds like a celebration, like I'm crying and laughing and sticking both middle fingers in the air all at the same time."
It's in music that Showalter found redemption from one of the darkest periods of his life, and in many ways, 'HEAL' is an album about listening to songs. 'Goshen '97' places you within Showalter's fervent teenage memories in his family's basement den in Goshen, Indiana, feeling alienated but even at 15 years old, believing in the alchemy of music to heal his troubled mind. The title track namechecks Sharon van Etten as well as The Tallest Man On Earth, and "JM" is a smouldering, epic, seven-minute tribute to Jason Molina.
Showalter released his first album as Strand of Oaks, 'Leave Ruin,' in 2009. Pitchfork described it as "a striking gutpunch of a record," and Showalter's subsequent albums earned him similar acclaim and a rabid, cult following that included Kristian Mattson (The Tallest Man On Earth), Matthew Houck (Phosphorescent), and Damian Jurado. All three artists record for Secretly Canadian/Dead Oceans and took Showalter on tour, where he came to the label's attention and quickly earned a spot on their esteemed roster.
Stay tuned for more details and tour dates to be announced.
'HEAL' Tracklisting: Goshen '97 HEAL Same Emotions Shut In Woke Up To The Light
Strand Of Oaks On The Web: https://www.strandofoaks.net https://www.facebook.com/popekilldragon https://www.twitter.com/strandofoaks https://www.youtube.com/user/strandofoaks
