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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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Little Big Town Perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

 

Back in April, country music supergroup, Little Big Town, debuted their haunting, yet beautiful new single “The Daughters,” performing the emotional song at the ACMs. On Wednesday night, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Phillip Sweet combined their vocals for another stellar performance of the powerful track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

After a quick introduction by host Jimmy Fallon, the video cuts to a stunning live image of the four band members, donning almost identical black tuxedos. The simplistic style, as well as, the juxtaposition of the setting to the lyrical message, adds an intriguing quality to the rather minimalist, yet dramatic arrangement of “The Daughters.”
As always, Fairchild mesmerized the audience and listeners with her extraordinary vocals, during the first verse, while Schlapman added her own flair to the song’s second verse for an equally as captivating production. Of course, the harmonies only made the performance better, adding both sophistication and drama to the already emotive song and performance. It’s clear that Little Big Town believes in the important message of equality that they are evoking through the lyrics of the track.

“And pose like a trophy on a shelf / Dream for everyone, but not yourself / I’ve heard of God the Son and God the Father / I’m just looking for a God for the daughters.”

“The Daughters” marks the first release from Little Big Town’s forthcoming ninth studio album. We anticipate more songs to be released, as the year continues to progress. If you’re looking to catch the quartet at one of their live shows, you can catch them at many fairs and festivals over the summer. For those willing to travel, Little Big Town plays at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun on Sunday, July 7th, alongside the extremely talented, Ashley McBryde. For tickets and more information, head to littlebigtown.com

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

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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!

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Little Big Town Celebrate Female Empowerment in “The Daughters” Video

After an incredible and emotional performance at the ACM’s last week, the award-winning group Little Big Town debuted their official music video to their latest single, “The Daughters.” Directed by Dano Cerny, viewers are taken on a journey where the social norms of women are challenged to a promising place where honest lyrics shape a bright future to which any girl’s dream can become a reality.

Set in a high school gym, the group sings the ballad with beautiful contemporary dancers surrounding them. Little Big Town tells us a story of a young girl growing up in different decades – from the 1950’s all the way to 2019. Viewers are taken back to 1955 where the young girl is a student learning proper etiquette from her teacher accompanied by fitting lyrics, “Pose like a trophy on the shelf and dream for everyone but not yourself. I’ve heard of God the son and God the father, I’m just looking for a God for the daughters.”

Fast forward 30 years and we get a glimpse into 1984. The girl is part of a cheerleading team, however, would rather be playing basketball. Unfortunately, there was only an all boy’s basketball team. Although at this day in age, she was able to learn how to play basketball and is shown practicing outside with a boy. At the very end of the storyline in 2019, the girl enters the gym wearing her basketball jersey and is finally able to play the sport she has wanted to play. Little Big Town’s video of “The Daughters” proves we have come a long way when it comes to gender equality. It instills hope that the future is bright for young women to confidently do exactly what they want to do.

Little Big Town is scheduled to release a new project this year, and with a compelling and empowering first single like “The Daughters,” there is great anticipation for the rest!

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

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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!

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Little Big Town Release Emotional Track “The Daughters”

The Daughters

“Oh girl wash your face before you come to the table,” Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings, her emotive rasp immediately drawing listeners into the story of Little Big Town’s newest single, “The Daughters.” On the personal and ethereal-sounding track, the foursome is back to the roots of what makes them truly special. Here, their vocal harmonies and meaningful lyrics are on full display, backed by simple instrumentation.

Written by Fairchild, Sean McConnell, and Ashley Ray, the plaintive new track speaks to what it’s like growing up as a girl. Often told what to do, how to think, and how to be, this song reflects on that in the most brilliant of ways. “Girl, don’t be weak, but don’t be strong,” They sing of the challenges of growing up female. “Pose like a trophy on a shelf and dream for everyone but not yourself. I’ve heard of God the son and God the father, I’m still looking for a God for the daughters.”

If the slight lyric twist on the final chorus doesn’t break your heart, nothing will, as Fairchild emotionally sings, “Damn I love my son, I love my father, I’m just looking for a God for the daughters.”

The simple yet moving video for “The Daughters” was released today, and you can watch it below. It features female dancers, choreographed by Andrew Winghart.

Little Big Town will take the stage in Vegas this Sunday (April 7) to perform “The Daughters” at the ACM Awards. It is the first single from their forthcoming album.

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.
“Daughters” 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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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: