FORLORN STRANGERS TO RELEASE

SELF-TITLED, DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM ON AUGUST 5, 2016

Forlorn Strangers has announced the release of their self-titled, debut full-length album on August 5, 2016. The Nashville-based Americana quintet recorded Forlorn Strangersat John Prine’s Nashville studio, The Butcher Shoppe, with producer and Grammy winner Phil Madeira. The 10-track album combines the talents of five songwriters whose unique styles blend into a singular, unforgettable sound that is simultaneously innovative and steeped in the tradition of American roots music. The band will tour extensively coast to coast this summer and fall in support of the new record.

One year ago, Forlorn Strangers packed up all of their belongings in Nashville, TN and put them into storage. They headed out on the road, and played their first official show in Indianapolis on May 7th, 2015. This date marked the start of their new nomadic lifestyle and their no-turning-back dedication to music. Their new album reflects that commitment to the craft, plumbing the depths of American roots music by way of soaring family harmonies and foot-stomping percussion. The band is comprised of sisters Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, percussion, vocals) and Hannah Leigh Lusk (mandolin, percussion, upright bass, vocals); Chris Banke (guitar, mandolin, vocals); Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals); and Jesse Thompson (upright bass, dobro, guitar, vocals).

While writing on the road can be a challenge, the band says there are certain benefits to the touring lifestyle. “Because we spend most of our day driving, it allows us the opportunity to contemplate, read, and listen to a lot of music,” they say. “Whether it’s rediscovering a love for older bands like Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills & Nash, or listening to the recordings of bands we’ve played with … it feels almost like a daily education on how to make the best kind of music in a million different ways.”

Speaking of Fleetwood Mac, Forlorn Strangers often glean comparison to this iconic group beyond their obvious three-guy, two-girl makeup. The band has brought together a balance of dynamic hooks, driving melodies and reflective lyrics that cut right to the heart. Each song reveals a new facet of the band, with different members taking the lead on vocals throughout the album. The opening track, “Bottom of the Barrel”, features the band’s natural harmonies and multi-instrumentalist members. Contemporary and traditional sounds are mixed with timeless themes like love lost and tough times on tracks like “Sugarcane” and “O My Friends”.

Prior to the release of Forlorn Strangers, the band had recorded two acoustic EPs. “While we love that sound, we really wanted the songs on this record to be as fully realized as possible,” comments the band. For that to happen, drums were brought into the mix for the making of the album. “Our song “Leave it on the Ground” started out as a really tender, bluegrass lullaby, but we had trouble translating that feeling in the studio.” With the addition of drums, “Leave it on the Ground” transformed from being a lovely ballad, to an unforgettable power-pop song.

Forlorn Strangers are currently on tour throughout the summer. A current list of tour dates are below. An album release tour fall will be announced soon.

For more information on Forlorn Strangers, visit www.forlornstrangers.com.

2016 Summer Tour Dates for Forlorn Strangers
5/19/16 – Music in Maxwell – Greenwood, SC
5/20/16 – GOTTROCKS – Greenville, SC
5/21/16 – Sugarlands Distillery – Gatlinburg, TN
6/2/16 – The Garage – Charlottesville, VA
6/3/16 – Cary St. Cafe – Richmond, VA
6/4/16 – St. Elmo’s – Alexandria, VA
6/10/16 – Founders After 5 – Johnson City, TN
6/11/16 – Blue Ridge BBQ – Tryon, NC
6/14/16 – Barley’s – Knoxville, TN
6/17/16 – Music in the Mill – Hickory, NC
6/18/16 – Isis Music Hall – Asheville, NC
6/25/16 – Floyd Fandango – Floyd, VA
6/30/16 – Panama City Beach Concert Series
7/2/16 – Kyle Pease Foundation Fundraiser – Atlanta, GA
7/9/16 – Purple Fiddle – Thomas, WV
7/15/16 – Fairfax County Summer Series – Annandale, VA
7/23/16 – Homegrown Music Festival – Fayetteville, AK
7/28/16 – Floyd Fest – Floyd, VA