New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Today, Portland, OR-based singer-songwriter John Craigie shared "Don't Ask," the second single from his new full length Scarecrow. The completely analog album, out 4/21, was recorded live to a 2 inch tape, mastered to tape, and cut straight to be pressed to vinyl.
Oregon Public Broadcasting premiered "Don't Ask," with Jerad Walker saying "John Craigie is an incredibly witty lyricist with a subversive streak and a barfly stage presence." Stream or embed the track via Soundcloud:
"These are songs written for last year's No Rain, No Rose, but were cut from the album because they're slower and softer in feel than the rest of that album," Craigie explains. "They are sort of homeless songs, which is one reason why I used the name Scarecrow. They are songs that are out alone in a field."
The Vinyl District shared the first single "Scarlet," along with an essay from Craigie about his love for vinyl. "I have always loved records as a whole," he writes. "Even when I was a kid it was very important for me to hear the whole record, in order, from start to finish. I liked going through the journey, some songs good, some songs bad. Seeing where the artist would place the 'hits' vs. where they would place the deep cuts. What songs they would open with, and which songs they would close with."
Craigie's music is connecting with both audiences and various famous folks. Fellow troubadour Todd Snider notably hand-delivered a gift on-stage, and action hero Chuck Norris remarkably sent Craigie fan mail. Most notably, Craigie caught the attention of Jack Johnson, when his 2016 live LP Capricorn in Retrograde… Just Kidding… Live in Portland landed in Johnson's car stereo during a California coastal road trip. Immediately becoming a fan, Jack reached out and Craigie soon found himself opening for him. This spring Craigie will play three amphitheater shows with Johnson. Other upcoming tour stops for Craigie include headlining shows in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and festival performances at Summer Camp, Mountain Jam, and Pickathon.
Craigie truly has a unique live performance; between nearly each song of the set, there's a "bit" he's written that thematically leads into the next track. This moved Seattle weekly The Stranger to dub him "the lovechild of
John Prine and Mitch Hedberg."
Craigie recently released his second live album LIVE - Opening for Steinbeck, a perfect example of his craft. Featuring his wry observational humor interwoven in both story and song, The Boot calls the album "a prime example of how Craigie mixes comedic tales and his musical storytelling in his live shows." Stream Live - Opening For Steinbeck on Spotify and Apple Music, or purchase the CD here.
Tour Dates:
Apr 25 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Showcase
Apr 26 - Portsmouth, NH - 3S Arts
Apr 27 - Boston, MA - The Red Room @ Cafe 939
Apr 28 - New York, NY - Rockwood
Music Hall (Stage 2)
Apr 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Bourbon & Branch
May 02 - Bozeman, MT - Live From The Divide
May 03 - Missoula, MT - Top Hat Lounge
May 04 - Billings, MT - Pub Station Taproom
May 05 - Rapid City, SD - Hay Camp Brewing Company
May 12 - Isla Vista, CA - Concert For The Coast
May 19 - Portland, OR - Live Wire
Radio @ Alberta Street Pub
May 27 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp
June 1 - Portland, OR - Secret Society
June 2 - Portland, OR - Secret Society
Jun 13 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend
Music Center *
Jun 14 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Home Mortgage Center *
Jun 15 - Clarkston, MI - DTE
Energy Music Theatre *
Jun 17 - Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam
Jun 28 - Laytonville, CA - Kate Wolf
Music Festival (June 28 - July 1)
Jul 05 - Quincy, CA - High
Sierra Music Festival (July 5-8)
July 14-15 - Harbor Springs, MI - Blissfest
Jul 22 - North Plains, OR - Northwest String Summit
Aug 03 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon (Aug 3-5)
Sep 11 - Nashville, TN - AmericanaFest (Sep 11 - 16)
* = opening for Jack Johnson
