Just before the annual International Bluegrass Music Association Conference was due to kick off two weeks ago, Grammy and IBMA award-winners The Infamous Stringdusters snuck in a big announcement that bluegrass fans worldwide were delighted to see; there’s a new Dusters record on the horizon. To be released on February 18th on Americana Vibes via Regime Music Group, Toward the Fray is the band’s first studio album of all original material since 2019’s Rise Sun. “Sometimes the times call for some serious reflection, and these songs really hit home,” says band member Andy Hall. “Get ready to go deep with us!” Today, the Stringdusters shared a first taste of the album with title track, “Toward the Fray,” of which guitar player Andy Falco says is “an important track for me.” He continues, “Not only in the subject matter, but it turned out to be the last song I wrote with my dear friend and writing partner Travis McKeveny who passed away tragically in September 2021. We were both very proud of how this song turned out, which was cut live in the studio in 2020.”
Death unfolds before my eyes
A frightened man's unheeded cries
People, oh people
Trapped beneath the knee
Of the law gone wrong
And the force of history
Another too soon laid to rest
Some folks weep, some beat their chests
People, oh people
(Let us) stand on freedom's side
For there can be no peace
Wherever justice is denied
As cities burn in summer heat
Temptation bids us to retreat
But people, my people
There’s is no other way
To love, except to turn
Our timid souls toward the fray.
Fans can now listen to “Toward The Fray” right here and digitally pre-order or pre-save Toward the Fray now at this link. The Dusters also designed a plethora of new merchandise to celebrate the release of Toward the Fray—including, but not limited to, a Stringdusters North Face jacket, limited edition colored vinyl, and an adorable Toward the Fray teddy bear. Pre-order all of these and more at the Infamous Stringdusters online store.
Outside of the “Towards the Fray” release, the Stringdusters shared this week that they’ll be returning to The National in Richmond, VA for a 3-night New Years Eve run. The band will be joined by special guests Sam Bush on Dec. 30 and Keller Williams on Jan. 1, while the Dec. 31 show is billed as a 3-set “Evening With…”. Tickets are currently on sale through AXS.com.
In a recap of the IBMA Awards Show, Rolling Stone included the Stringdusters alongside Billy Strings as acts pushing the boundaries of bluegrass to new audiences, writing, “The Infamous Stringdusters hosted the 2021 ceremonies. Like Strings, the Dusters are regarded as a progressive force in the genre, bringing the bluegrass ‘high, lonesome sound’ to new and exciting places.”
The Infamous Stringdusters are grateful to be back on tour with upcoming dates at The Fillmore Charlotte, House of Blues New Orleans, and Denver’s Mission Ballroom—just to name a few. A full list of dates is below and ticket information can be found at thestringdusters.com/tour.
Catch The Infamous Stringdusters On Tour:
Oct. 15 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
Oct. 16 - Live Oak, FL - Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
Oct. 17 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues New Orleans
Nov. 12 - Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom
Nov. 13 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Commonwealth Room
Nov. 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Commonwealth Room
Nov. 16- Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
Nov. 17 - Jackson, WY - Center for the Arts
Nov. 18 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Nov. 19 - Bozeman, MT - Elm
Nov. 20 - Missoula, MT - The Wilma
Dec. 9-13 - Puerto Morelos, MX - Strings & Sol
Dec. 30 - Jan. 1 - Richmond, VA - The National
