New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Will Hoge is a creative gambler. He left the comfort of touring with his band because he hit a wall and needed to figure out his next move. The CMA- and Grammy-nominated artist took to the road for a year of solo shows with a guitar and keyboard and in so doing, reclaimed what inspired his soul. That journey resulted in his current release, Anchors (out August 11 via Thirty Tigers).
Hoge will tour the U.S. in November and December, traveling through Texas, Arizona, California, up through the Pacific Northwest and into the Midwest. A full itinerary appears below.
Recorded with an all-star band composed of drummer Jerry Roe (Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell,
Darius Rucker), bassist Dominic Davis (Jack White,
Wanda Jackson), and guitarists Brad Rice (Son Volt, Ryan Adams) and Thom Donovan (Lapush, Ruby Amanfu), the album is a prime showcase for Hoge's soaring, gritty vocals, as well as his remarkable gift for crafting complex characters with real emotional depth and plainspoken profundity. Over the course of 11 tracks (including guest
Sheryl Crow on "Little Bit of Rust"), Hoge weaves elements of vintage country, literate folk and heartland rock into a passionate, genre-busting set, one that offers an unflinching portrait of the messy challenges of adulthood and the ways in which we persevere (or don't) through hard times.
The release of his 2001 debut Carousel established Hoge as a masterful songwriter and performer as well as a critical favorite, with Rolling Stone comparing him to
Bob Seger and
John Mellencamp and NPR praising his "sharp, smart, passionate rock 'n' roll that seems to exist out of time." He built up a loyal fan base the old-fashioned way, maintaining a steady studio output and a relentless touring schedule of more than 200 shows a year, including bills with the likes of My Morning Jacket, the
Black Crowes, and Drive-By Truckers, in addition to festival slots from Bonnaroo to Austin City Limits. In 2012, the
Eli Young Band hit #1 on the Billboard Country chart with their platinum-selling recording of Hoge's song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," earning Hoge nominations for CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards. Soon he was performing everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to The Late Show With
David Letterman, his music was soundtracking a high-profile Chevy truck campaign, and he'd signed a major publishing deal.
When the inspiration ran dry, though, Hoge took a gamble on himself and walked away from it all in order to pursue the kind of art that truly moved him, to make something that mattered. If Anchors is any indication, it was a safe bet indeed.
Recent critical praise for Will Hoge and the new album:
"Anchors [is] 11 self-produced tracks that are rooted in … youthful jubilance but tell the stories of grown men and women who have seen, loved, moved on and made amends … Hoge explores the comfort and crush of small towns, the freedom and limits of love, the knowledge that comes from aging at the expense of vital years."—Rolling Stone Country
"…a robust, even brave statement from a veteran artist who saw success that didn't speak to his inner truths and decided on a less commercial musical direction that did." —American Songwriter (4/5 stars)
"Grammy-nominated roots rocker Will Hoge keeps his hot streak going with his forthcoming album, Anchors. In the past, our editors have noted that 'his gifts as a lyricist and melodist are prodigious,' and they're on ample display on tracks like the world-weary 'This Grand Charade' and the borderline-bawdy 'This Ain't an Original Sin.'"—All Music
"'Baby's Eyes' [is] a standout love song on his 11th studio album … Fans of
Tom Petty and The Byrds will find a lot to love in its steady groove, and the sweet morsels of 12-string guitar and glockenspiel chiming in on the refrain." —Tennessean
"Never one to come across as a poser or pretender, Hoge makes songs that sink beneath the skin and resonate accordingly. Ultimately then, Anchors possesses a decided determination that goes a long way when it comes to asserting both his acumen and his authority." —Glide Magazine
Tour dates:
Wed., Nov. 1 TULSA, OK The Shrine
Thurs., Nov. 2 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Tower Theatre
Fri., Nov. 3 LUBBOCK, TX The Blue Light
Sat., Nov 4 AMARILLO, TX Hoot's
Sun., Nov. 5 DENVER, CO Bluebird
Tues., Nov. 7 PHOENIX, AZ
Rebel Lounge
Wed., Nov. 8 SOLANA BEACH, CA
Belly Up
Thurs., Nov. 9 SANTA CLARITA, CA The Canyon
Fri., Nov. 10 PIONEERTOWN, CA Pappy and Harriet's
Sat., Nov. 11 LOS ANGELES, CA The Mint
Wed., Nov. 15 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Hotel Utah
Thurs., Nov. 16 SACRAMENTO, CA Goldfield
Fri., Nov. 17 CRYSTAL BAY, NV Crystal Bay Club and Casino
Sat., Nov. 18 BOISE, ID The Olympic
Sun., Nov. 19 PORTLAND, OR Mississippi Studios
Mon., Nov. 20 SEATTLE, WA Tractor Tavern
Tues., Dec. 5 ST. LOUIS, MO Delmar Hall
Fri., Dec. 8 AKRON, OH Musica
Sat., Dec. 9 COLUMBUS, OH Skully's
Music Diner
