Rootsy Toronto outfit the Young Novelists won over folk fans with their debut In the Year You Were Born, and they have now revealed plans for their full-length follow-up. Titled Made Us Strangers, the new record will be released independently on April 28.
The band enlisted the help of Zeus' Carlin Nicholson to produce the new record, which marks a significant growth in sound for the group.
"We were looking to inject a bit of excitement and edginess into it this time around," said primary songwriter Graydon James in a statement. "But we also wanted the recordings to be more organic and true."
The result is a collection of songs that sound grittier than anything the Young Novelists have put out before. Nicholson helped them achieve the effect with a minimalist approach to the process — nixing pitch correction and click tracks, and even cutting some tracks live off the floor.
A published author, James' lyrics have always heavily influenced the band's songs, and the new set of tunes is no different. Although his influences were drawn from his own experience, he hopes they convey universal feelings.
"As personal as the songs are, I hope they're connecting to other people in a way that goes beyond the situations," he said.
In addition to the album announcement, the group have unveiled a brand new song from Made Us Strangers, which Exclaim! is pleased to premiere. "Brothers in the Garage" starts off as a subtle, drum-driven folk tune but builds into a full on roots-rocker that'll have anyone stomping along.
The Young Novelists will also be heading out on a North American tour this spring. You can see the full list of dates below. Scroll past those for your first listen to "Brothers in the Garage."
Made Us Strangers:
1. Palindrome
2. Singer-Songwriter
3. Always Make the Mistake
4. Hear Your Voice
5. Brothers in the Garage
6. For the Record
7. Come Back to Me
8. When You Once Were Wild
9. What Lies Ahead
10. Couldn't Be Any Worse
11. Name Your Price
12. Who Can Say
Tour dates:
03/13 Downer's Grove, IL – Two Way Street Coffee House
03/14 Chicago, IL – WFMT Folkstage
03/27 Napanee, ON – House Concert
03/28 Ottawa, ON – House Concert *
04/03 Martinsburg, WV – First Friday Coffeehouse
04/04 Winston-Salem, NC – Fiddle & Bow Society
04/08 Asheville, NC – Isis Restaurant
04/09 Southport, NC – House Concert
04/10 Charleston, SC – Palmetto Brewing Co.
04/11 Hartsville, SC – Artsville
04/12 Falls Church, VA – Bikenetic
04/13 Washington, DC – House Concert
04/14 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
04/16 Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
04/17 Sunapee, NH – Sunapee Coffeehouse
04/18 Burlington, VT – Radio Bean
05/01 Hamilton, ON – Homegrown Hamilton *
05/05 Moncton, NB – Plan B *
05/06 Halifax, NS – Company House *
05/07 Fredericton, NB – Capital Complex *
05/13 Kitchener, ON – The Boathouse *
05/22 Toronto, ON – Little Trinity Church (album release party) *
05/23 Montreal, QC – Petit Campus *
05/30 Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge *
* with full band
The band enlisted the help of Zeus' Carlin Nicholson to produce the new record, which marks a significant growth in sound for the group.
"We were looking to inject a bit of excitement and edginess into it this time around," said primary songwriter Graydon James in a statement. "But we also wanted the recordings to be more organic and true."
The result is a collection of songs that sound grittier than anything the Young Novelists have put out before. Nicholson helped them achieve the effect with a minimalist approach to the process — nixing pitch correction and click tracks, and even cutting some tracks live off the floor.
A published author, James' lyrics have always heavily influenced the band's songs, and the new set of tunes is no different. Although his influences were drawn from his own experience, he hopes they convey universal feelings.
"As personal as the songs are, I hope they're connecting to other people in a way that goes beyond the situations," he said.
In addition to the album announcement, the group have unveiled a brand new song from Made Us Strangers, which Exclaim! is pleased to premiere. "Brothers in the Garage" starts off as a subtle, drum-driven folk tune but builds into a full on roots-rocker that'll have anyone stomping along.
The Young Novelists will also be heading out on a North American tour this spring. You can see the full list of dates below. Scroll past those for your first listen to "Brothers in the Garage."
Made Us Strangers:
1. Palindrome
2. Singer-Songwriter
3. Always Make the Mistake
4. Hear Your Voice
5. Brothers in the Garage
6. For the Record
7. Come Back to Me
8. When You Once Were Wild
9. What Lies Ahead
10. Couldn't Be Any Worse
11. Name Your Price
12. Who Can Say
Tour dates:
03/13 Downer's Grove, IL – Two Way Street Coffee House
03/14 Chicago, IL – WFMT Folkstage
03/27 Napanee, ON – House Concert
03/28 Ottawa, ON – House Concert *
04/03 Martinsburg, WV – First Friday Coffeehouse
04/04 Winston-Salem, NC – Fiddle & Bow Society
04/08 Asheville, NC – Isis Restaurant
04/09 Southport, NC – House Concert
04/10 Charleston, SC – Palmetto Brewing Co.
04/11 Hartsville, SC – Artsville
04/12 Falls Church, VA – Bikenetic
04/13 Washington, DC – House Concert
04/14 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
04/16 Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
04/17 Sunapee, NH – Sunapee Coffeehouse
04/18 Burlington, VT – Radio Bean
05/01 Hamilton, ON – Homegrown Hamilton *
05/05 Moncton, NB – Plan B *
05/06 Halifax, NS – Company House *
05/07 Fredericton, NB – Capital Complex *
05/13 Kitchener, ON – The Boathouse *
05/22 Toronto, ON – Little Trinity Church (album release party) *
05/23 Montreal, QC – Petit Campus *
05/30 Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge *
* with full band