the Squirrel Nut Zippers release “Train On Fire,” the second track from their forthcoming album Lost Songs of Doc Souchon (Out September 25th).
The track features violin and backup vocals from Andrew Bird. It’s Bird’s first appearance on a Zippers album since 1998’s Perennial Favorites.
Lost Songs Of Doc Souchon follows the band’s last studio album, Beasts Of Burgundy, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Album Chart. Fans can pre-order the new album here: www.snzippers.com
“This new album was inspired by all of the mysterious characters from the history of New Orleans jazz music,” commented band leader Jimbo Mathus. “It speaks to the hidden roots of where our aesthetic, interests and philosophy comes from. It pulls on the hidden thread.”
Since 1995, the Squirrel Nut Zippers have sacked and plundered the old, weird America then sailed off to further distant lands. They have used New Orleans as their hideout and base of operations. Jean-Lafitte-like the hide in the lee side of barrier island, receiving goods and masking dark back channel deals; hiding in cellars or in plain view.
They began their musical journey in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the mid 1990’s, as a musician’s escape from the cookie cutter world of modern rock radio at the time. Jimbo Mathus along with drummer/percussionist Chris Phillips formed the band as a casual musical foray among friends and family in the area. It wasn’t long before the band’s quirky mix of jazz chords, folk music, and punk rock leanings spread out of the region and attracted a national audience.
Between 1995-2000 the Squirrel Nut Zippers sold over three million albums. Their watershed album, Hot (1996) was recorded in the heat of New Orleans, fueled by a smoldering mix of booze and a youthful hunger to unlock the secrets of old world jazz. This passion mixed with klezmer, blues and random bits of contemporary musical leanings became the bands signature style. At the time, there were few other bands inhabiting this space. The album would eventually break free of any “jazz” stereotypes and land on commercial radio, taking the band to remarkable heights for what was essentially an anti-establishment sound.
Track Listing For Lost Songs Of Doc Souchon
Animule Ball (Unknown)
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Crewe/Gaudio, arr. Dr. Sick)
She’s Ballin (Mathus)
Train On Fire (Mathus)
Mr Wonderful (Mathus)
I Talk To My Haircut (Rev Fred Lane)
Purim Nigrum (Unknown)
Cookie (New Orleans Willie Jackson)
Happy Days Are Here Again (Ager/Yellen)
Summer Longings (Stephen Foster)
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