Listen to Phil Cook’s Easygoing New Single, “Steampowered Blues”

American folk singer Phil Cook released on Tuesday an easygoing single titled “Steampowered Blues,” the first look into his forthcoming album, People Are My Drug. The forthcoming LP, set for release on June 1 via Psychic Hotline/Thirty Tigers, follows Cook’s debut solo album, Southland Mission, released in 2015.

Cook’s new album, described in a press statement as a “spiritual tour de force,” was recorded in the artist’s home sate of Wisconsin (and in his adopted home state of North Carolina) in just 10 days, with the help of his brother, Brad Cook, as producer.

The musician gives his thoughts behind the relaxed new track in a statement, saying:

“Steampowered Blues” is the first song I wrote for People Are My Drug. I’ve long been drawn to the swing and swagger of New Orleans’ step rhythms. The left-right bass lines get my feet stepping, whereas the drums channel my hip movements and the weightless carefree melodies often coax my arms from my sides toward the sky. Lyrically, it’s playful in a way that I can get behind. Tamisha Waden and Chastity Brown’s vocal expressions are stunning. The payoff when Mountain Man enters at the end of the double-time chant makes me cheer every time. Within my mortal body and experience, this music is my church.

As mentioned, People Are My Drug will feature Foreign Exchange’s Tamisha Waden, with Amelia Meath of Sylvan Esso co-writing a yet-to-be-released track off the album titled “Miles Away.” The album will also feature collaborations by Cook’s backing band The Guitarheels, as well as the Virginia-based brass band No BS!

Cook’s U.S. tour is set to begin on April 7 at the Pinhook in Durham, N.C. Tickets for select shows are currently available via the artist’s website.

I’ll also be on tour with The Guitarheels this summer including some dates with the amazing Daniel Norgren. Tix available at https://t.co/TwHKPWHby9pic.twitter.com/hBbUBDXlsG

— Phil Cook (@philcookmusic) April 3, 2018

Again, Cook’s new album People Are My Drug is set to release on June 1 via Psychic Hotline/Thirty Tigers. You can preorder the album right here.

Check out “Steampowered Blues” below, followed by the musician’s tour dates further down.

Phil Cook U.S. Tour Dates:

April
07 – Durham, N.C. @ The Pinhook

June
08 – Washington D.C. @ Songbyrd
10 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Rough Trade

July
31 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Teragram Ballroom*

August
01 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Independent*
03-05 – Happy Valley, Ore. @ Pickathon
07-08 – Seattle, Wash. @ Tractor Tavern*

(* – w/ Daniel Norgren)