Steep Canyon Rangers – photo © Jay Strausser
With today’s release of their latest single, Heart’s the Only Compass, the Steep Canyon Rangers have also announced a May 22 release date for their next album, Next Act, on Yep Roc Records.
The single also features friend-of-the-band Steve Martin, who adds his clawhammer banjo to this song about trusting your heart, written by Steeps banjo man Graham Sharp.
Graham describes the song thusly….
“It’s natural to look back at history, especially our personal history, and feel like things turned out in a way that makes perfect sense. After hearing some stories of my grandparents’ younger days and seeing people around me learning about their family history through DNA tests, it struck me just how much of a crapshoot it is. When every daily choice seems monumental, it feels good to think that the generations before us didn’t know what they were doing anymore than we do. And the best you can do is follow your heart.”
It’s a grassier cut than we have come to expect from this outfit of late, sung here by bass player Barrett Smith. Steve and Graham handle the banjo, supported by Rangers bandmates Aaron Burdett on guitar, Mike Guggino on mandolin, Nicky Sanders on fiddle, and Mike Ashworth on percussion and harmony vocals.
Aaron Burdett: guitar Mike Guggino: mandolin Steve Martin: banjo Nicky Sanders: fiddle Graham Sharp: banjo Barrett Smith: bass, lead vocals
Have a listen in this lyric video.
Heart’s the Only Compass is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Pre-orders for Next Act are likewise enabled.
Look for the Steep Canyon Rangers on tour in support of the new music, starting at the end of February, with several dates in support of Steve Martin and Martin Short. You can see all of the tour details online.
