New Orleans-based prog funk masters Earphunk have some big news to share, as the group has announced their fourth studio album. Titled Right Where I Belong, the new release aptly describes just how comfortable Earphunk has become with their own sound. The new six track release sees the group playing tighter than ever, and their work with famed producer Steve Albini only underlines the band’s explosive talent.
“Working with Albini was exactly what our band needed,” says vocalist/guitarist Mark Hempe. “Before this album we had an entirely different approach for studio albums. Albini is concerned about recording just how it sounds so the listener almost feels like they are in the room with the band. He made us realize the importance of the take on a song as a whole. When you’re recording straight to tape you really try to play the best you can with no mistakes, which elevates the overall take as a band for each track. In albums past we could flub a part and just overdub later on, so having your best take wasn’t as much of a concern. I think the energy and sound of this album is the most authentic we have been able to achieve thus far in a studio endeavor.”
The new album is due out on October 7th, and the band is heading out on the road for an extensive tour to get fans warmed up to the new release. They’re also offering their first taste of the new album by premiering the lead single, “Moolah,” exclusively via Live for Live Music. Tune into the funky new original track below.
Lead guitarist Paul Provosty weighs in on the new album and production, saying, “Recording with Steve Albini was like a dream come true. You can tell, right off the bat, his sole purpose in life is to capture the most authentic representation of a band and their music. He built his studio from scratch in Chicago and most of his clientele are independent bands such as ourselves…it shows the type of person he is and what he truly cares about.
He brought the best out in us and wasn’t afraid to tell us whether a take was bad or not. We had never worked with someone as honest and direct as him, and it brought the best out in us. Right Where I Belong really represents a huge chapter in the Earphunk book and Steve helped us capture it perfectly.”
The Right Where I Belong tour kicks off on August 26th, and stretches all the way through to November 12th. There’s really no excuse not to catch Earphunk deliver their New Orleans-soaked progressive funkin’ music. The new album is due out on October 7th, and we can’t wait to jam on it. Check out the tour schedule below, and head to the band’s website for details.
Earphunk Summer/Fall Tour Dates
08/26/16 – Druid City Music Hall – Tuscaloosa, AL
08/27/16 – The Dollar Box Showroom – Hattiesburg, MS ^^
09/02/16 – Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL ^^
09/03/16 – 1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL ^^
09/04/16 – The Pour House – Charleston, SC @
09/07/16 – New Mountain Theatre – Asheville, NC
09/09/16 – Great North Music And Art Festival – Norridgewock, ME
09/10/16 – Nectar’s – Burlington, VT
09/13/16 – StageOne – Fairfield, CT %
09/14/16 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA %
09/15/16 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY %
09/16/16 – Jammin’ Java – Vienna, VA %
09/17/16 – The Foundry @The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
09/20/16 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
09/21/16 – Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC **
09/22/16 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA **
09/23/16 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
09/24/16 – Martin’s – Jackson, MS **
09/30/16 – Bear Creek Bayou – New Orleans, LA
10/07/16 – Proud Larry’s – Oxford, MS
10/08/16 – Stickyz – Little Rock, AR ^^
10/14/16 – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO ++
10/15/16 – Martyrs’ – Chicago, IL ++
10/18/16 – The Frequency – Madison, WI ++
10/20/16 – Vega – Lincoln, NE ++
10/21/16 – Cervante’s Other Side – Denver, CO ++
10/22/16 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO ++
10/25/16 – Town Square Tavern – Jackson Hole, WY ##
10/26/16 – Neurolux – Boise, ID
10/27/16 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
10/28/16 – Volcanic Theatre Pub – Bend, OR
10/29/16 – Lost On Main – Chico, CA
11/02/16 – Crystal Bay Club – Crystal Bay, NV
11/03/16 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA
11/04/16 – Winston’s – San Diego, CA
11/05/16 – SLO Brewing Company – San Luis Obispo, CA
11/11/16 The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS
11/12/16 – The Outland Ballroom – Springfield, MO
^^ Gravy supporting
@ Trongone Band supporting
% Madalia supporting
** Atlas Road Crew supporting
++ Peoples Blues of Richmond supporting
## Sneaky Peter and the Secret weapons supporting