After a decade-long career as an artist, seasoned performer Justin Townes Earle is in the midst of experiencing several “firsts”– on May 26th, Earle will release his New West Records debut Kids In The Street, which marks his first time working with an outside producer on his first album recorded outside of Nashville. It’s also his first album written as a married man who is about to become a father. Lyrically, Earle has also shifted his tone; for a man who has usually mined inwardly for his inspiration, Earle is enthusiastically looking to the future. “There’s definitely an uplifting aspect to this record in a lot of ways, because I’m feeling pretty positive. When I wrote songs in the past, I was looking in on what I was feeling, but this record’s more about looking outward on what’s happening, and writing about subjects like gentrification and inner city strife,” he reveals. “This record also has more of a soul influence to it, and it’s got a deeper connection to the blues than anything I’ve done before.”
Currently on tour with his longtime guitarist Paul Niehaus, alongside The Sadies as his backing band and support, Earle performed at the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee. Before his show, we extended our microphone to its tallest, and he exclusively performed for us the sweetly meandering “What’s She Crying For,” about encountering an unknown crying woman, and wondering why she’s so blue. Check it out:
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