KATIE DAHL To Release WILDWOOD, her 5th Album, on September 13
August 10, 2019 by 1888media
Known for writing evocative, intelligent songs rooted in a strong sense of place, Wisconsin based singer-songwriter Katie Dahl is gearing up to release Wildwood, her 5th full-length, on September 13.
Produced by JT Nero of Birds of Chicago, the 11-track opus is one of her most personal as it explores life in 2019 through the lens of Door County, WI where her family has lived for six generations. She’s currently raising the seventh.
Wildwood is an audio-visual biography of sorts. With 10 originals, including two from a musical entitled, The Fisherman’s Daughter, that she’s writing for Northern Sky Theater about the creation of Peninsula State Park, the collection also includes a stirring cover of “Valmy” the pat mAcdonald classic.
While she grew up in Minnesota, Door County always felt like home. Her great-great-great-grandparents arrived to the narrow peninsula in eastern Wisconsin, that juts out into Lake Michigan, from Scandinavia in the 1850s. The place where they settled in Door County sits just across from Wildwood Road, a landmark forever linking her lineage.
The artwork for the album features a photo of Katie as a young girl in a field of wild flowers. It all connects, spiritually.
Cutting the album live over three days at Henhouse Studios in Nashville, an all-star cast joined the proceedings with Steve Dawson (Bruce Cockburn, Tim O’Brien) on guitar, pedal steel, dobro, and banjo, Kristin Weber (Dolly Parton, Eminem, Kacey Musgraves) on fiddle and vocals and Jamie Dick (The Milk Carton Kids, Rhiannon Giddens) on drums.Allison Russell (of Birds of Chicago, Po’ Girl, Our Native Daughters) and Larissa Maestro added harmony vocals with Dahl’s husband Rich Higdon on upright bass.
First single “Helen” features vocals from Russell who also appears on “Braver than Me” “In the Dark,” and “Valmy.”
Other singles include album opener “Anna Lee” and “Oh Minnesota.”
With a successful Kickstarter campaign funding the record and its launch, Katie’s ready to hit the road. Logging 100 shows a year, both solo acoustic, and as a duo with Higdon, Dahl will be touring the Eastern U.S. for the remainder of 2019.
The trek culminates with a big celebration concert at Door Community Auditorium. The evening will feature a headline set by Capitol Sun Rays, the new project featuring JT Nero and Allison Russell of Birds of Chicago, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Grahame Lesh (son of Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh), and Amy Helm (daughter of The Band’s Levon Helm).
Tickets are available now ($25 / $48 / $58).
Katie Dahl Tour Dates:
8/14 – Fish Creek, WI @ The Cookery Wine Bar
8/21 – Fish Creek, WI @ The Cookery Wine Bar
10/17 – Sheboygan, WI @ Paradigm Coffee and Music (Album release show)
10/18 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Hook and Ladder Theater
10/24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Crowne Plaza (FARM Showcase)
11/07 – Ardmore, PA @ The Living Room at 35 East
11/08 – Stamford, CT @ Crowne Plaza (NERFA Showcase)
“Combine[s] old-fashioned populism, an abiding love of the land and wickedly smart love songs, all delivered in a rich and expressive alto.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Her songs aren’t just melodies and words, they’re journeys that are firmly grounded in a sense of place—beautiful, real landscapes that help you feel places that you may have never been before. That’s the very best kind of songwriting.” Dar Williams
“Writes vividly and forthrightly, songs that are redolent of the craggy ground, warm summer light, and ever-presence of fresh water in Door County. In unsettled times she brings us a grounded spirit.” Peter Mulvey
“Combines a love for her rural midwestern roots, a droll wit, and a clear-eyed appraisal of modern life, all served up in a voice as rich as cream.” Iowa Public Radio
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