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Seattle-based singer-songwriter Austin Crane, aka Valley Maker, will release his sophomore LP, Rhododendron, on Oct. 12 via Frenchkiss Records.
Following his previous single, “Light On The Ground,” Crane released another new single, album opener “A Couple Days.” The song was one of four tracks that he recorded alongside Chaz Bear of Toro y Moi whom he met back in college at the University of South Carolina. Bear produced the track and also contributed drums, bass, keyboards and backing vocals.
The song, which also has an accompanying video directed by Joseph Kolean, showcases Crane’s lush, textured folk vocals, spacious sound and melancholy backing vocals. His language might be metaphorical and rhetorical, but his tender voice and indie-rock songwriting are both immensely grounding.
The remainder of the album was produced by Trevor Spencer (Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes), and includes contributions from drummer James Barone (Beach House, Tennis), bassist Eli Thomson (Father John Misty), trumpeter Brandon Camarda, saxophonist Andrew Swanson and vocalist Amy Fitchette.
Listen to “A Couple Days” below and check out Crane’s upcoming tour dates further down. You can preorder Rhododendron here.
Valley Maker Tour Dates:
August
21 – Denver, Colo. @ Larimer Lounge
22 – Fort Collins, Colo. @ Everyday Joe’s
September
14 – Portland, Ore. @ Doug Fir*
October
11 – New York City, N.Y. @ Coney Island Baby
12 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Union Pool
14 – Raleigh, N.C. @ Neptune’s
15 – Asheville, N.C. @ The Mothlight
16 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Fond Object
17 – Atlanta, Ga. @ 529
18 – Columbia, S.C. @ New Brookland Tavern^
19 – Charleston, S.C. @ The Royal American^
27 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ London Calling
28 – Ramsgate, U.K. @ Ramsgate Music Hall
30 – London, U.K. @ The Islington
November
01 – Leicester, U.K. @ The Cookie
02 – Manchester, U.K. @ YES
06 – Berlin, Germany @ Franzz Club#
December
05 – Vancouver, British Colombia @ The Biltmore
06 – Seattle, Wash. @ Barboza
10 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Cafe du Nord
11 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Resident
12 – San Diego, Calif. @ Soda Bar
14 – Chicago, Ill. @ The Hideout
16 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ 7th Street Entry
(* – w/ Chad VanGaalen)
(^ – w/ Grace Joyner)
(# – w/ Ryley Walker)