BIG Something is currently gearing up for the release of their fifth full-length studio album, The Otherside, which is due out on April 20th and serves as a follow-up to the band’s well-received record, 2017’s Tumbleweed. If you haven’t heard of the six-piece powerhouse jam act out of Burlington, North Carolina, they’re certainly one to keep your eye on. In addition to being tapped as support for the likes of Galactic, moe., Robert Randolph, The B52s, and others, BIG Something continues to climb festival lineups and curate stronger and stronger lineups for their own festival, The BIG What?

Composed of Nick MacDaniels (Guitar, Vocals), Doug Marshall (Bass), Josh Kagel (Keys, Trumpet), Casey Cranford (Sax, EWI), Jesse Hensley (Lead Guitar), and Ben Vinograd (Drums), the six-piece ensemble offers up an infectious sound that draws on rock, pop, funk, and more. With roots in improvisation, BIG Something’s live shows take the group’s extensive catalog and transform it, stretching and segueing in between tunes in an innovative way that will impress even the stodgiest and most traditional of jam band fans. 

Today, BIG Something debuts a brand-new tune, “Smoke Signal”, off the upcoming The Otherside. Sitting squarely in the center of the eight-song album, “Smoke Signal” stands out for its slinky and laidback feel. At points, the song is haunting, playing off the song’s mellow groove and sometimes unsettling lyrics, which are a wonderful offering from MacDaniels. A saxophone solo from Cranford is another highlight of the tune, solidifying the smokey jazz-club imagery the tone of the song invites. As “Smoke Signal” continues, it builds to a shred-heavy peak featuring Hensley before the song ends with a reverb-heavy decrescendo.

Drummer Ben Vinograd had this to say about the song:

In my opinion, this is the most important song we’ve ever recorded. It’s the first time in our band’s history that we’ve written and recorded a song in studio that our fans have never heard live. Aside from that though, the subtext of the song itself is incredibly emotional for all of us. This was the last song our lyricist and good friend Paul Interdonato wrote before he passed away. We learned of his death literally the night before we were set to record the song. The performances and feeling in the tracking room that night were the deepest things I’ve experienced as a part of this band.

You can listen to BIG Something’s “Smoke Signal” below. If you like what you hear, you can snag The Otherside on April 20th via the band’s website here.

Upcoming BIG Something Tour Dates: 

3/27 – Durango, CO @ The Animas City Theatre
3/28 – Frisco, CO @ The Barkley Ballroom
3/29 – Denver CO @ Bluebird Theater
3/31 – Teton Village, WY @ Village Commons
4/3 – Bozeman MT @ The Eagles Ballroom
4/4 – Missoula MT @ Top Hat Lounge
4/5 – Sandpoint ID @ The Hive
4/6 – Sandpoint ID @ The Hive
4/7 – Seattle WA @ Tractor Tavern
4/10 – Boise ID @ Neurolux
4/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Elevate
4/13 – Steamboat Springs, CO @ Schmiggity’s
4/14 – Fort Collins CO @ Hodi’s Half Note
4/18 – Montgomery, AL @ Capri Theatre
4/19-21 – Live Oak, FL @ The Wanee Festival
4/27 – Wilmington, NC @ The Big What? Wilmington
4/28 – Wilmington, NC @ The Big What? Wilmington
5/5 – North Charleston, SC @ Trondossa Music & Arts Festival
5/25-27 – Chillicothe, IL @ Summer Camp Music Festival
5/31-6/2 – Minden, WV @ Mountain Music Festival
6/15 – Augusta, GA @ Sky City *
6/16 – Birmingham, AL @ Slicefest
6/21-24 – Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest Festival
6/28-7/1 – Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest Festival
6/29 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues **
7/14-15 – Telluride, CO @ The Ride Festival
7/15 – Telluride CO @ The Night Ride @ Sheridan Opera House
7/19-22 – Scranton, PA @ The Peach Festival
8/16 – Pittsboro, NC @ The Big What?
8/17 – Pittsboro, NC @ The Big What?
8/18 – Pittsboro, NC @ The Big What?
8/25 – Arrington, VA @ Lockn’ Festival

* w/ Too Many Zooz
** w/ Umphrey’s McGee

View All Tour Dates