New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Singer/Songwriter Phil Cook released PEOPLE ARE MY DRUG today, out on Psychic Hotline/Thirty Tigers. PAMD is a collection of roots and gospel-infused songs written with a common message of community in each track. The album puts Cook's adopted hometown of Durham NC at the fore, featuring the joy of collaborating with the talent aroud him ("
Miles Away"), and the despair of police shootings ("Another Mother's Son). Cook closes the album with a celebration of his mentors, covering Allen Toussaint's "Life."
Excitement has been building for the album, which has already been lauded by No Depression, Billboard, Paste, Stereogum, UPROXX and more. American Songwriter just premiered "Miles Away," a stunning collaboration with Cook and Sylvan Esso's Amelia Meath. Tastemaker radio station The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) featured "
Miles Away" as the "Song of the Day," while WFUV, KEXP,
Sirius XM The Loft and MusicChoice are also supporting the track. Listen to and purchase PAMD here.
Cook kicks off a US tour on June 7 at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC, and will perform at the 2018 Pickathon
Music Festival in Happy Valley Oregon August 3 -5. A second run of shows is set for October; full itinerary of dates is below and at www.philcookmusic.com.
As noted by the album's title, Cook's creativity is fueled by collaboration and interaction. As a member of Hiss Golden Messenger, Cook records and tours with the group, and has previously been part of psych-folk band Megafaun. His wide ranging talents have led him to collaborate with Indigo Girls' Amy Ray, perform with Mavis Staples, and handle musical director for The
Blind Boys of Alabama. His previous LP Southland Mission earned raves from Paste, The Bluegrass Situation, American Songwriter, Pitchfork, NPR's World Cafe and others.
Phil Cook on Tour:
6/7 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle &
6/8 - Washington DC - Songbyrd &
6/10 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade &
7/6-7 - Eau Claire, WI - Eaux Claires
Music Festival
7/31 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom*
8/1 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
8/3-5 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon
8/7-8 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern*
9/1 - London, UK - Omeara
10/8 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight
10/9 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theater
10/10 - Atlanta, GA - Eddie's Attic
10/11 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack's
10/12-14 - Austin, TX - ACL
Music Festival
10/16 - Nashville, TN - High Watt
10/19 - Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
10/20 - Eau Claire, WI - JAMF Theater @ The
Pablo Center
10/21 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
10/24 - Boston, MA - Sinclair
10/25 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
10/26 - Richmond, VA - Capitol Ale House
10/27 - Winston Salem, NC - Ramkat
11/2 - Milwaukee, WI - Colectivo
& with Jake Xerxes Fussell
* with
Daniel Norgren