New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Society of Broken Souls, the folk noir songwriting duo of multi-instrumentalists
Dennis James and Lauryn Shapter, is set to release its second album, Midnight and the Pale, on April 13, 2018. Midnight and The Pale, the follow-up to 2016's Things Still Left Unsaid, is the pair's second album under the moniker Society of Broken Souls and their fifth collaboration. The new album once again sees
James and Shapter writing, arranging, producing, and engineering the 10-song collection, as well as performing all the parts. Starting a music career considerably later in life than most emerging artists, the duo is embracing the maturity and experience that comes from years passed, life lived, and challenges faced. Their latest album is a study in the interplay of light and dark, and the beauty that results when they are allowed to walk comfortably side by side.
"There is a growing propensity in our culture to show ever more curated versions of ourselves, where everything is Photoshop perfect and everyone is living the dream," Shapter explains. "But that's just not real life, and it only seems to leave people feeling more isolated. We got tired of the lack of authenticity we saw around us and decided to shine some light on the broken bits, but still have fun while we were doing it."
With not just a few scars and more years behind them than ahead, Shapter and
James know a thing or two about broken souls. While their music is deeply rooted in the time-honored tradition of storytelling, their songs move seamlessly from the darkly fictitious to the profoundly personal — meaning they come by their name honestly. They each have stared down their own personal demons in order to serve the art form that has never let go of its hold on them. Though they tried their hand at the straight life, it never took. "Music is the only thing that makes any sense," says James. "Nothing else matters." In their return to music, they are discovering true artistic freedom and rekindled joy in pursuit of their craft.
In spite of the conventional wisdom that says to let go of childish dreams and leave the rock and roll lifestyle to the young,
James and Shapter are reinventing their lives with vigor. As part of that renewed commitment, the duo purchased a 22-year-old RV and retrofitted it to hold the myriad instruments they bring on stage. They hit the road in 2017, covering over 22,000 miles and performing nearly 100 shows in 18 states. An even heavier coast-to-coast touring schedule is planned for 2018 and already began in March. Confirmed dates are listed below, with more to be added.
Called "a songwriting powerhouse" (Ben Kieffer, Iowa Public Radio), the duo performs their own brand of American roots music. While they have their roots as an acoustic duo, their live show has blossomed into an expansive setting for weathered characters, tough topics, and quiet beauty. Fiddle, drums, keyboard, and acoustic and electric guitars, in intricately woven and varied arrangements, create a wide, dynamic palette. As they take turns singing lead and harmony, the pair paints a vast emotional landscape, ranging from the rebellious and jubilant to the introspective and heartfelt.
Society of Broken Souls Tour Schedule:
4/13/2018 - Fairfield, IA/Cafe Paradiso
4/14/2018 - Des Moines, IA/Gaslamp
4/20/2018 - Lupus, MO/Lupus General Store
4/21/2018 - Topeka, KS/Norseman Brewing Company
4/22/2018 - Strong City, KS/Ad Astra Food and Drink
4/24/2018 - Salina, KS/The Hideaway
4/25/2018 - Wichita, KS/Central Standard Brewing
4/26/2018 - Stillwater, OK/Iron Monk Brewing Company
4/27/2018 - Ada, OK/Vintage 22
4/28/2018 - Dallas, TX/Allgood Cafe
4/29/2018 - Ft. Worth, TX/Woodshed Smokehouse
4/30/2018 - Austin, TX/Hole in the Wall (w/Heather Miller 0
5/2/2018 - Terlingua, TX/The Starlight Theatre
5/3/2018 - Terlingua, TX/The Starlight Theatre
5/5/2018 - Las Cruces, NM/High Desert Brewing Co.
5/8/2018 - Corrales, NM/Corrales Bistro
5/9/2018 - Albuquerque, NM/Tractor Brewing
5/10/2018 -
Santa Fe, NM/Cowgirl BBQ
5/11/2018 - Durango, CO/Balcony Bar and Grill
5/12/2018 - Salida, CO/Wood's Distillery
5/13/2018 - Montrose, CO/Intrinzik
5/18/2018 - Dillon, CO/private house concert
5/19/2018 - Idledale, CO/private house concert
5/20/2018 - Denver, CO/private house concert
6/1/2018 - Wellman, IA/Stonewall Pizza
6/2/2018 - Ames, IA/Mother's Pub
6/3/2018 - Ft. Dodge, IA/Soldier Creek Winery
6/15/2018 - Terre Haute, IN/The Verve
6/16/2018 - Terre Haute, IN/private house concert
6/17/2018 - Indianapolis, IN/Melody Inn (w/The 502's)
6/20/2018 - Ames, IA/London Underground
6/21/2018 - Springfield, MN/Riverside Days Festival
6/24/2018 - Renner, SD/Strawbale Winery
6/29/2018 - Swisher, IA/Cedar Ridge Distillery
7/6/2018 - Des Moines, IA/Sam and Gabe's
7/7/2018 - Knoxville, IA/Peace Tree Brewing
7/11/2018 - Iowa City, IA/Iowa City Farmers Market
7/12/2018 - Rochester, MN/Peace Plaza - Thursdays on First & 3rd
7/14/2018 - Mankato, MN/Wine Cafe Bar & Eatery
7/15/2018 - Pomeroy, IA/Byron's Bar
7/19/2018 - Grinnell, IA/Grinnell Arts Center (w/The Pines)
7/20/2018 - Mankato, MN/Mankato Brewery
7/21/2018 - Norfolk, NE/Black Cow Fat Pig
7/28/2018 - Marshalltown, IA/Fiddle and Whistle
8/3/2018 - Iowa City, IA/Big Grove Brewery
8/17/2018 - Terre Haute, IN/The Verve
8/26/2018 - Ft. Dodge, IA/Soldier Creek Winery
9/7/2018 - Bondurant, IA/Reclaimed Rails Brewing
9/9/2018 - Lincoln, NE/1867 Bar
10/12/2018 - Swisher, IA/Cedar Ridge Distillery
10/19/2018 - Terre Haute, IN/The Verve
11/3/2018 - Cedar Valley, IA/Cedar Valley House Concerts
Society of Broken Souls online:
Website: www.societyofbrokensouls.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/society.brokensouls
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SOBSmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/societyofbrokensouls
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/Societyofbrokensouls
