Photo by Shervin Lainez
Lake Street Dive have announced a new six-track covers EP titled Fun Machine: The Sequel, due to release digitally and on CD/cassette on Sept. 9, and on vinyl on Dec. 9, via Fantasy Records. The project marks the second covers EP from the adored ensemble, which formed the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 2004, following their 2012 release Fun Machine.
Lake Street Dive are no strangers to covers: 10 years ago, a syncopated cover of “I Want You Back” by The Jackson Five’s performed on a street corner in Boston shot the ensemble– comprised of vocalist Rachael Price; bassist/background vocalist, Bridget Kearney; drummer/background vocalist, Mike Calabrese and keyboardist/vocalist, Akie Bermiss–to national fame garnering tens of millions of streams, likes and views. Since then, they’ve released an impressive discography of their own, defining their effervescent sound and soulful inclinations.
Regardless of their growth and acclaim, Lake Street Dive have remained consistent in their delicate approach towards the prospect of covering some of their favorite songs in the studio; and clearly see the opportunity to imprint themselves on personal and timeless songs not only as acknowledgment but also as an opportunity for artful re-invention. This can be heard on their imaginative cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick Of Time,” which they released in conjunction with the announcement of the new project, and can be listened to below.
“Imagine you walk into your favorite local dive bar, and Lake Street Dive is on stage, doing our regular weekly gig for $5 a head,” the band collectively described in a press release. “These are the songs we’d be covering there and how we’d be playing them. Some deep cuts, some sentimental favorites and some (hopefully) epic crowd pleasers.”
Fun Machine: The Sequel was produced by Robin MacMillan and recorded at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn and Lucy’s Meat Market in Los Angeles and has contributions from touring guitarist/background vocalist, James Cornelison. While the original Fun Machine paid homage to their classic R&B, neo-soul, and jazz roots, Fun Machine: The Sequel branches out a bit further, featuring selections ranging from The Pointer Sisters’ funky “Automatic,” to more introspective works like Carole King’s classic “So Far Away,” to Shania Twain’s pop-country anthem, “You’re Still The One.”
Listen to Lake Street Dive’s cover of “Nick of Time” below.
Fun Machine: The Sequel
“Automatic” (Brock Patrick Walsh / Mark Goldenberg) – The Pointer Sisters
“Anyone Who Had A Heart” (Burt Bacharach / Hal David) – Dionne Warwick
“You’re Still The One” – (Robert John Lange / Shania Twain) – Shania Twain
“So Far Away” (Carole King) – Carole King
“Nick Of Time” (Bonnie Raitt) – Bonnie Raitt
“Linger” (Dolores Mary O’Riordan / Noel Anthony Hogan) – The Cranberries