Two-time-Grammy-nominated band RIVAL SONS has shared a new single, “Bird In The Hand”, which is available today on all streaming platforms. It stands out as the latest anthem to be unveiled from the group’s upcoming full-length album, “Darkfighter”, set for release on June 2.
Commenting on the new track, vocalist Jay Buchannan noted: “There’s a lyric in there, ‘Let’s go down to the river where the water runs still and deep, to scatter the ashes of the mess I used to be.’ You can burn through a whole lot of time just trying to find your lane, your realized intention. At some point you accept reincarnation as a waking process. Build, refine and burn again and again and the lyric, ‘A bird in the hand, now that’s a miracle I can believe’ is the immersive commitment to the present.”
In support of new LP, RIVAL SONS will embark on an extensive five-week North American headline run dubbed “The Darkfighter Tour” which will feature support from THE BLACK ANGELS, THE RECORD COMPANY and STARCRAWLER on select dates. The trek kicks off on May 11 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Diamond Ballroom, visits major markets across the country, and concludes on June 18 in Denver, Colorado at the Ogden Theatre. In between, the band will perform at a handful of festivals such as Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 20 and Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio on May 27.
“SO happy to finally announce our full North America headline tour and have new music to play for you,” exclaimed guitarist Scott Holiday. “Expect this tour to comprise of the forthcoming ‘Darkfighter’ album in its entirety, along with familiar songs and a few deeper cuts. We’re working on plans to make it extra special. With a big added bonus of the incredible acts we’re taking with us: THE BLACK ANGELS, THE RECORD COMPANY and STARCRAWLER. It’s going to make for a REALLY fantastic night of music!”
RIVAL SONS 2023 U.S. tour dates:
Supporting GRETA VAN FLEET
March 20 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Arena
March 21 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
March 24 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
March 26 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
March 28 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Headlining and festival appearances
May 11 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom*#
May 12 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall*#
May 13 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s*#
May 16 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal*#
May 17 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle*#
May 18 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works*#
May 20 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville (Festival)
May 21 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater*#
May 23 – Richmond, VA – The National*#
May 24 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa*#
May 26 – Morgantown, WV – Ruby Amphitheater*
May 27 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple (Festival)
May 28 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom*
May 30 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore*#
May 31 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium*#
June 01 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
June 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall*#
June 04 – Albany, NY – Empire Live*#
June 06 – London, ON – London Music Hall*#
June 08 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore^#
June 09 – Chicago, IL – Radius^#
June 10 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore^#
June 12 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave^#
June 13 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Club 5^#
June 14 – St. Louis, MO – Pageant^#
June 16 – Omaha, NE – The Admiral^#
June 17 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater^#
June 18 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre^#
* THE RECORD COMPANY
^ BLACK ANGELS
# STARCRAWLER
+ Festival
Heightening excitement for this next chapter of RIVAL SONS, the band has also shared details of a companion album titled “Lightbringer” — due out in late 2023.
Expanding on the two-album set, Buchanan commented: “In comparison to our previous records, we certainly took our time both writing and recording this collection. When we set out, the intention was mostly to dig as deep as possible. Even in the beginning before the body had formed, we agreed to throw the map away and chop our way through the woods to make a new path. Then lockdown hit and it felt like the whole damn country decided to throw the map away too. For myself, 2022 was like an eight-stage rocket of life changing events, so every time I thought I was finished writing, a new bull would come tearing through the clothesline and I’d have to illustrate it in some way. By the end, there were really two different sides to the same story being told. On one side, you’re fighting the darkness and, on the other, you’re bringing your own light to where there is none. One side in a corner, on the ropes, and the other advancing, cleaning the ring. Without an intermission, a refractory period, the collection would be too big a bite, so splitting it in two was the only way to do it.”
“Darkfighter” and “Lightbringer” were both produced by longtime collaborator and multi-Grammy Award-winner Dave Cobb. These albums mark the first new music from RIVAL SONS since the release of 2019’s “Feral Roots”, which earned the band two Grammy Award nominations.
In 2021, RIVAL SONS celebrated the 10th anniversary of their 2011 album, “Pressure And Time”, by performing the landmark longplayer live in its entirety on the “Pressure And Time” tour for the first time. They also lit up Southern California with a two-night livestream event, “Rival Sons: Pair Of Aces”, live from the historic Catalina Casino on Santa Catalina Island. They performed their debut LP, “Before The Fire” (2009),in its entirety on the first night and their self-titled EP, “Rival Sons” (2010),on the second.
“Darkfighter” track listing:
01. Mirrors
02. Nobody Wants To Die
03. Bird In The Hand
04. Bright Light
05. Rapture
06. Guillotine
07. Horses Breath
08. Darkside
RIVAL SONS is Jay Buchanan (vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar),Scott Holiday (lead guitar),Mike Miley (drums) and Dave Beste (bass).
Photo credit: Pamela Littky
