Drive-By Truckers have released a new song, “Quarantine Together”, along with an accompanying music video. The topical song was recorded by the band members from their respective homes and spliced together.
In addition to the new video, the band has also released the song’s audio on Bandcamp. The Monday release also coincides with Bandcamp waiving its revenue for the day and giving 100 percent of all proceeds directly to artists.
“Quarantine Together” finds Drive-By Truckers at their individual isolation units, with various companions including children, pets, and even inanimate objects. From his self-described “Heathen Attic”, guitarist Patterson Hood counts off the song and takes the lyrics, “You got a smart lookin’ face, I hope you don’t take that the wrong way/But I saw you walking across the street and I want to hear what you say.” From there, the song makes a legitimate connection and statement about quarantine and isolation. On the outset, one might think that “Quarantine Together” is just another vein attempt by an artist to capitalize on current events and misfortune. What DBT have done, however, looks at quarantine through the lens of finding love at one of the worst times. With the refrain, “We might as well quarantine together/Cause it’d be miserable all alone,” the song actually has something to say.
Hood said of the song,
Through the miracles of science and technology, DBT has recorded a brand new single. I wrote ‘Quarantine Together’ during our first week in isolation and sent my basic track (recorded in my Heathen Attic) to the gang. Everyone then put their own parts on it and David Barbe mixed it.
Watch the video for “Quarantine Together” from Drive-By Truckers.
Drive-By Truckers — “Quarantine Together” (Official Video)
[Video: Drive-By Truckers]
Hood and guitarist Mike Cooley will also perform their first-ever live streamed solo shows next week on Noonchorus. Hood’s show will take place on Wednesday, May 6th at 9 pm ET, and Cooley’s on Friday, May 8th at 8 pm. Additionally, on May 7th at 8:30 pm, DBT will join in a Facebook live event with Boston outlet WGBH for a premiere of the band’s never-before-seen show from WGBH’s Fraser Performance Studio. Hood will kick off the event with a live Q&A as well. Head to the WGBH Facebook page on May 7th at 8:30 to tune in.