6/09/2020

STEVE EARLE RELEASES NEW SONG “TIMES LIKE THESE”

STEVE EARLE RELEASES NEW SONG “TIMES LIKE THESE”  
SPIN PREMIERES SPECIAL ACOUSTIC VERSION TODAY; FULL BAND VERSION TO BE RELEASED AS A LIMITED EDITION 7-INCH SINGLE FOR RECORD STORE DAY’S “RSD DROP” AUGUST 29th 
TO APPEAR ON THE WASHINGTON POST INSTAGRAM LIVE SERIES “STUCK WITH GEOFF EDGERS” TODAY 
"Times Like These" Cover Artwork by Steve Earle 
Steve Earle has released a brand new song, “Times Like These” (Acoustic Version) on the heels of his acclaimed Ghosts of West Virginia. Today, SPIN has premiered the new song which was recorded late last week. They say, "The bare-bones recording, with Earle unaccompanied on acoustic guitar, stresses the urgency of ending the Trump administration...  Its lyrics are sadly evergreen and reflect the problems that the country continues to face today." Hear “Times Like These” Acoustic Version HERE. Speaking to SPIN, Earle said, “This is a song I wrote for a moment at the beginning of the Trumpian nightmare that I planned on releasing closer to the election, but I reckon its time has come today.” The new song will be available for free download via Bandcamp and streaming across digital platforms starting at 2pm Eastern this afternoon. Find it HERE
“Times Like These” was originally written at the beginning of the Trump Presidency with Earle intending it for his next studio album. He was then approached by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, a playwright team who would create Coal Country, a play with music written and performed by Earle based on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in West Virginia in 2010. The seven songs he wrote and performed in the play lead his new album Ghosts of West Virginia which the Associated Press has called “one of his best albums,” while Rolling Stone compared it to the best of his early work, calling it “undoubtedly a recharge for Earle.” In their 4 out of 5 Star review, American Songwriter called the album “... one of his most potent ever which, in a career with 20 releases is saying plenty. Ghosts of West Virginia displays once again that Steve Earle is one of America’s most captivating, unvarnished, provocative and talented singer/songwriters.” 
While recording Ghosts of West Virginia at New York City’s legendary Electric Lady Studios, Earle and his band The Dukes recorded a version of “Times Like These.” The full band version of the song will be released as a limited edition 7-inch single on Record Store Day’s special “RSD Drop” on Saturday, August 29th. Its cover art was painted by Steve Earle and can be seen above. 
Earle is also set to appear on the Washington Post Instagram Live series “Stuck with Geoff Edgers” today at 2pm Eastern. He will speak with Edgers for an hour and also play a handful of songs acoustically. Tune in via the Washington Post Official Instagram HERE
Opening to critical acclaim on March 3rd at the Public Theater in NYC, Coal Country was cancelled after only two weeks due to COVID-19. Despite its abbreviated run, Earle has received a nomination in the “Outstanding Music in a Play” category for the 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Originally scheduled for May 31st, the online ceremony was postponed to June 13th in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests. 
Steve Earle’s Ghosts of West Virginia is out now and available via NEW WEST RECORDS.

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