New Tracks – 6/6

There’s not a lot of careers where abrasiveness could be considered an asset, especially for females.

A snarky waitress earns no tips; a rough-around-the-edges jet pilot might raise more than a few red flags; an asshole massage therapist would just, well, ruin the whole experience.

But when it comes to music – rock and country music in particular – we have a special place in our heart for attitude. We like getting whipped by rock stars with hips.

Which is why we’re so glad to unveil the latest from the newest edition to a long line of badassery. Dubbed the First Lady of Outlaw Country, Nikki Lane earned a reputation as a fearless performer while supporting her first two records.

Now touring in support of her third release, Highway Queen, she’s garnering praise for her tacit Americana-influenced songwriting skills as well.

We introduce Trail audiences to the album’s first single, “Jackpot,” back in February. We’ll showcase another one all day Tuesday on this week’s edition of New Tracks on the Trail.

Check out a great write-up on Lane’s career and making of Highway Queen HERE.

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Also on this week’s New Tracks line-up:

-We’ll also continue our celebration of The New Pornographers‘ new work with the second single off the band’s seventh studio album, Whiteout Conditions.

We introduced the album’s first single, “High Ticket Attractions” back in February; now the album is out, and we think it’s worth a little more exploration.

Check out NPR’s album review HERE.

–The War On Drugs paired last week’s announcement of a new album with the release of a new Springsteen-sounding song.

“Holding On” is the second release from the Philly indie rockers since April. Both tracks are slated to appear on A Deeper Understanding, due in August.

The album will mark the band’s four full-length studio release and first in three years.

-We kind of grew a little obsessed with Pickwick‘s cover of Richard Swift’s “Lady Luck” in recent years, so we’re excited to hear more from the Seattle-based band.

Pickwick’s sophomore album, Lovejoys, is scheduled for release in early July. The band will kick off a summer tour of the west – including a date in Spokane – starting Saturday.

-Another longtime Mountain West favorite is back with a new album and a busy world tour.

Big Head Todd & the Monsters have already performed several tracks from as-yet-untitled 11th studio album. But up first on the studio release line-up is “Damaged One.”

The Boulder, Colo., band will play Red Rocks on Saturday. No word on an album release date yet.

-Finally, the Bozeman “galaxy-gras” four-piece known as Kitchen Dwellers are celebrating the release of their second studio album with a massive North American tour.

Ghost in the Bottle came out in April, and it just may be the one that transforms them from local darling to national superstardom.

Don’t believe us. Check out this spectacular write-up from the HuffPost, and then be sure to catch them this weekend at the Silver Cloud Campout in Haugan or with JJ Grey & Mofro at The Wilma later this summer.

There ya have it – another Tuesday, another round of New Tracks on the Trail! Thanks as always to Rockin’ Rudy’s for sponsoring this weekly segment!

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