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NYCS First Impression: Little Big Town ‘Nightfall’

Nightfall Little Big Town

For the better part of two decades, Little Big Town has been country music’s reigning super-group. Combining four distinctly powerful voices into one ethereal harmony has long been their piece de resistance. Nowhere is this more evident than on their ninth studio album, Nightfall, out today (Jan. 17).

The thirteen-track collection is an epic series that explores the highs and lows of life in a unique way. Self-produced by the foursome, along with Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian (Golden Hour), each song stands on its own as a musical masterpiece, but together, they make up what just might be Little Big Town’s best and most cohesive album yet. “This was a journey, and still is. Whether you’re going to the mountains, or the beach, even sitting in your living room with a glass of wine, this record is an experience,” Kimberly Schlapman reveals in a statement. “It will take you through so many places in life, hopefully sink in, and take you where you need to go, or give you what you’re looking to find.”

What’s most apparent on Nightfall is that the group shines as individual singers, each of them taking a chance at lead. However, the sum of their parts is even more powerful, their vocals soaring in a way that’s so uniquely Little Big Town. On this album, the lyrics and the vocals shine, complemented by the instrumentation rather than distracted by it. “It’s so easy to keep layering guitars on top of each other,” Jimi Westbrook says in a statement. “Every sound is intentional on this record. We’d empty tracks out to create more space. Those spaces let the energy come through. The space allows you to absorb what we’re saying.” This is evidenced on the dreamy “River of Stars,” with its twinkling instrumentation, as well as on “Wine, Beer, Whiskey,” which features pulsating horns and drums in a way that is sure to soar in a live setting.

“Problem Child” is another musically magnificent moment of the album, featuring Westbrook’s voice soaring over a simple piano melody that then transcends into a full orchestral piece as the song builds. “Are you the black sheep?/ Have you been lonely?/ Out on the outside/ You’re not the only one,” he sings, his voice vulnerable and emotive. “What’s your problem, child?” Written by all four members of LBT with Sean McConnell and Tofer Brown, this is one of the album’s many standouts, tackling a seemingly taboo subject. Yet, they manage to do it in a way that’s beautiful, but still important.

The quartet also offers different takes on love lost on Nightfall, from the buoyant “Over Drinking” to the Pleasantville-esque situation of “Sugar Coat” to the what-could’ve been longing of “Questions” and lastly, the achingly beautiful “Trouble With Forever.” On “Questions, which she co-wrote with Jon Green and Sarah Haze, Fairchild finds herself wondering about the one that got away as she speaks those questions that she longs to ask. “I’ve got questions/ With no intention/ Of ever saying ’em out loud,” She wonders mournfully. “Did you give her/ My old key/ Am I anywhere in your memory?/ I can’t sleep/ It’s keeping me up tonight/ I’ve got questions.”

“Trouble With Forever,” written by Jason Saenz, Marc Beeson, and Haze, closes out Nightfall on an exquisitely bittersweet note. “We love how forever begins/ But the trouble with forever/ Is it always ends,” they harmonize. We won’t ruin the ending for you here, but make sure you have tissues on standby.

Of the project, Philip Sweet offers. “If people can open their hearts and just connect with music in a way that feeds them, makes them feel what they need or want to, then we got it.”

Sweet is absolutely right; they’ve got it. Nightfall is truly a majestic offering that transcends genre, making you feel and believe every word the quartet sings.

Nightfall Track List:

1. “Next to You” (Hillary Reynolds, Michael Jade, Trevor Jarvis)
2. “Nightfall” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Fancy Hagood)
3. “Forever and a Night” (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Foy Vance)
4. “Throw Your Love Away” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna)
5. “Over Drinking” (Carey Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
7. “Questions” (Karen Fairchild, Jon Green, Sara Haze)
8. “The Daughters” (Karen Fairchild, Sean McConnell, Ashley Ray)
9. “River of Stars” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
10. “Sugar Coat” (Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, Lori McKenna)
11. “Problem Child” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
12. “Bluebird” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
13. “Trouble With Forever” (Jason Saenz, Marc Beeson, Sara Haze)

NYCountry Swag Picks:
1. Nightfall
2. Trouble with Forever
3. Questions
4. Problem Child

In support of Nightfall, Little Big Town will kick off their Nightfall Tour in New York City tonight (January 17) and tomorrow at the legendary Apollo Theater. They played an exclusive album release show yesterday at Carnegie Hall. For more tour dates and tickets, make sure to check out their official website.

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

Nightfall is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
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Little Big Town Releases Dreamy Title Track “Nightfall”

Nightfall Little Big Town

Little Big Town’s eighth studio album, Nightfall, is out next week, and to hold fans over before the rest of the project is out, the band released the title track today. It’s an ethereal, guitar-driven love song about letting your heart fall when the night falls too.

“Nightfall” was co-written by band member Karen Fairchild, who also serves as the lead vocalist on this particular number, with Fancy Hagood, and Daniel Tashian. In the first verse, Fairchild asks her partner to look back on their relationship, singing. “Let the dark help us remember what we’re fighting for.” When the chorus hits, the beautiful and signature harmonies come in, and the band sings, “Turn the lights down, we can watch the stars crawl / You and I fall, baby when the night falls / Throw a spark, we can shine underneath it all / You and I fall, baby, when the night falls.”

What is most striking about this song is its production. It starts off with just an acoustic guitar strumming to Fairchild’s vocals, when the upbeat, almost alternative-country drums, along with a groovy bassline kick in. The harmonies are breezy and filled with movement. The band co-produced it with Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, who are responsible for the production of Kacey Musgraves’ GRAMMY-winning Golden Hour, as well as for making up ½ of the Nashville band Skyline Motel. The two of them have created a sound that is amplifying artists’ technique and making it into the dreamy, textured songs we listen to and love. It’s very exciting to see Little Big Town working with new collaborators for this album cycle.

If the four tracks that have been released so far are any indication, Nightfall is proving to be one of Little Big Town’s best albums yet. It’s using songwriting to tell a story, whether it be songs on the pressures of being a woman in society or getting over an ex or about being in love. Their harmonies unify any song they touch.

Nightfall is out next Friday, January 17th. To hear it live, NY fans can catch them at Carnegie Hall for a special album release show on January 16th, and following that show are two nights at the iconic Apollo Theater on January 17th and 18th.

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Nightfall” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collectionby NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Little Big Town’s “Sugar Coat” Is Country Music At Its Finest

Little Big Town Sugar Coat

In preparation for the January release of their ninth studio album, Nightfall, Little Big Town has released a new track, “Sugar Coat,” today. With a theatrical and orchestral feel, the Karen Fairchild-led ballad tells the sad tale of a woman caught in a loveless marriage, while keeping up appearances.

Written by Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, and Lori McKenna, the song is a masterclass in songwriting, turning a common phrase on its heels and using sugar coat as a noun, rather than a verb. “Sometimes I wish I liked drinkin’/ Sometimes I wish I liked pills / Wish I could sleep with a stranger / Someone like me never will / Sometimes I hardly can stand it,” they sing on the chorus. “I just smile with a lump in my throat / Sometimes I wish I could bear it / Didn’t have to wear this sugar coat.”

On these types of lush, story songs, Little Big Town is truly at its best. With Fairchild as lead, and the others providing their understated, yet perfect harmonies on the chorus, “Sugar Coat” is an example of country music at its finest.

The video, featuring Kate Bosworth as a housewife trapped in a loveless marriage, premiered today as well. “She is often lonely and unfulfilled,” says Bosworth of the character in a press release. “Realizing that she is not getting what she needs from a partner, devastated by the choices that her husband is making. As she slowly discovers what is happening, while it’s a sad moment, it is ultimately a resilient one.”

Little Big Town revealed the tracklist for Nightfall this week, featuring songs co-written by all four members of the group, as well as frequent co-writers, the Love Junkies, made up of Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna. Other writers include Sean McConnell, Sara Haze, Tofer Brown, Ashley Gorley, and Fancy Hagood.

Nightfall track listing:

“Next to You” (Hillary Reynolds, Michael Jade, Trevor Jarvis)
“Nightfall” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Fancy Hagood)
“Forever and a Night” (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Foy Vance)
“Throw Your Love Away” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna)
“Over Drinking” (Carey Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Hillary Lindsey)
“Wine, Beer, Whiskey” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
“Questions” (Karen Fairchild, Jon Green, Sara Haze)
“The Daughters” (Karen Fairchild, Sean McConnell, Ashley Ray)
“River of Stars” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
“Sugar Coat” (Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, Lori McKenna)
“Problem Child” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
“Bluebird” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
“Trouble With Forever” (Jason Saenz, Marc Beeson, Sara Haze)

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on  InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

The foursome will play an album release show at New York’s historic Carnegie Hall on January 16, followed by two nights at the legendary Apollo Theater on January 17 and 18.

“Sugar Coat” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Little Big Town Release Brand New Song, ‘Over Drinking’

It has been an exciting week for fans of Little Big Town with the announcement of a new single, tour, and album. The Grammy-winning group decided to change things up a bit from their 2014 hit “Day Drinking” and released their newest single “Overdrinking” off of their highly anticipated ninth studio album Nightfall which is slated to be released January 17th, 2020.

Produced by Little Big Town, this is a song and sound, unlike anything the group has ever done and that may be surprising to all considering the group is known to have diverse musical talent. Penned by Music Row veterans: Ashley Gorley, Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, Jesse Frasure, and Steph Jones, the traditional sounding booze-filled song takes on a more non-traditional approach to what would be classic “drinking to get over you” scenario. Rather, “Overdrinking” showcases a celebratory side to moving on and taking care of yourself, with lyrics, “I’m drunk ’cause I’m happy, not drunk ’cause you’re gone.”

“Overdrinking” gives modern take on a traditional honky-tonk drinking ballad and showcases the foursome’s harmonies throughout the chorus, “I’m over drinking over you, I’m done with bottles or chasing the blues, I still go out with the boys and knock back a few, But I’m over drinking over you.” The song proves that there is a victory in what could be seen as the worst of times especially with Karen Fairchild’s convincing lead vocals singing, “I ain’t on the wagon, these wheels are still turnin’ but I’m tired of you draggin’ my heart through the dirt and the hurt/ I’m over drinkin’ over you.”

Little Big Town will perform “Overdrinking” for the first time together tomorrow on NBC’s Today Show during the 8 AM hour. In addition, the intimate Nightfall Tour with 30 scheduled dates will run from January through May at prestigious theatres across the country. Little Big Town will kick off the tour in New York City with a once in a lifetime performance at the famous Carnegie Hall, and back to back nights at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre. Tickets for the tour go on sale on September 11th at 10 AM.

For a full list of Little Big Town’s upcoming ‘Nightfall’ 2020 tour dates, click here. For tickets and more information visit littlebigtown.com.

To keep up with Little Big Town follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Over Drinking” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our “New Country Music” playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Little Big Town Announce New Album ‘Nightfall’ + 2020 Tour and Release New Track

 

Little Big Town is setting the stage for what will be an incredible 2020 for the Grammy-winning foursome. Yesterday, they announced the release date of their ninth studio album Nightfall, the first single off of the album, “Overdrinking,” and an accompanying Nightfall Tour kicking off at a venue none other than prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City!

Their new album Nightfall is set to come out January 17th, 2019 a day after the opening night of their Nightfall Tour in the Big Apple. It is an honor for Little Big Town as they will be the first country act to perform at Carnegie Hall since Alan Jackson in 2013. Fans in the area will also get two other opportunities to see the group as they will be at the Apollo Theatre on January 17th and January 18th. From there, Little Big Town will be joined by critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Catilin Smith for back to back nights at over 30 prestigious theatres across the country before wrapping up in Denver, Colorado on May 2nd at the Paramount Theatre.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning tomorrow, September 11th at 10 am local time. For those wanting to get tickets to Carnegie Hall, tickets will be on sale on September 13th at 11 am EST. All tour dates with the exception of Carnegie Hall will showcase Caitlyn Smith.

 

For tickets and more information head to littlebigtown.com.

To keep up with Little Big Town follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

See below for a full list of tour dates.

2020 ‘NIGHTFALL’ Tour Dates:

Jan. 16 — New York City @ Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
Jan. 17-18 — New York City @ Apollo Theater
Jan. 30-31 — Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Met Philadelphia
Feb. 1 — Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Benedum Center
Feb. 7-8 — Boston, Mass. @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
Feb. 14-15 — Cincinnati, Ohio @ Taft Theatre
Feb. 20 — St. Louis, Mo. @ Fabulous Fox Theatre
Feb. 21-22 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Murat Theatre
Feb. 26-27 — Tampa, Fla. @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
March 5-6 — Charleston, S.C. @ Charleston Gaillard Center
March 7 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Fox Theatre
March 12 — Detroit, Mich. @ Fox Theatre
March 13-14 — Chicago, Ill. @ The Chicago Theatre
March 27-28 — Salt Lake City, Utah @ Eccles Theater
April 9-10 –Seattle, Wash. @ The Paramount Theatre
April 15 — Portland, Ore. @ Keller Auditorium
April 17-18 — Oakland, Calif. @ Fox Theater Oakland
April 23-24 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Theatre at Ace Hotel
April 26 — Las Vegas, Nev. @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
April 28 — Phoenix, Ariz. @ Comerica Theatre
May 1-2 — Denver, Colo. @ Paramount Theatre

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook: