On April 21st, coinciding with his son’s 2nd birthday, Brendan Benson will release his fifth studio album What Kind of World via his own newly established label and publishing company Readymade Music. The record will be available exclusively via brendanbenson.com until its April 24th street date. As a preview of the new album the song “Bad For Me” is available for free download. Upcoming tour dates below.
Stream and Download “Bad For Me” on Stereogum.com
Beloved musician, songwriter/producer and co-founder of The Raconteurs, Brendan Benson has been releasing records for over a decade, first coming to major prominence in 2002 on the strength of his sophomore album Lapalco. It has been about as long since he’s felt truly free in writing and recording an album. In forming his own label and publishing company in Readymade, Benson has allowed himself full control of the creative vision behind What Kind of World , including song selection, tracking, and production.
Where Benson’s most recent release came together in pieces in studios as far flung as London and Los Angeles, the ability to record and self-produce What Kind of World in full at Nashville’s all-analog studio Welcome to 1979 was a blessing on a few levels aside from control and fluidity. Importantly for Benson it allowed him to stay close to the grounding force that is his wife and young son, an oasis that allowed him to return to the studio each day with fresh spirits. He was also able to bring in a host of accomplished musicians to perform on the album, enlisting the talents of Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer (The Posies/Big Star), Sam Farrar (Phantom Planet), Ashley Monroe (Pistol Annies), and Brad Pemberton (of Ryan Adam’s Cardinals).
The camaraderie associated with the recording process added to the character of the album, and helped ferment a collaborative community that has lead to Benson producing four additional albums after finishing work on What Kind of World, including records from two of Readymade’s first signings, Young Hines and The Lost Brothers.
Following an appearance at SXSW 2012 and the April 21st release (April 24th street date) of What Kind of World, Brendan Benson will play select US tour dates in May.
Upcoming Brendan Benson U.S. Tour Dates w/ Young Hines supporting:
MARCH
13 – 16 – Austin, TX – SXSW (Brendan Benson only)
APRIL
28 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge (Additional support by The Howling Brothers)
MAY
03 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
05 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
10 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
12 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
