Portland's rising folk pop phenomenon Ezra Bell have released the second single from their highly anticipated new album This Way To Oblivion out April 3 on Dutch Records. Glide Magazine premiered "5th and James" today, noting "With Ben Wuamett’s vocals at the helm and gorgeous harmonies layered in, the song is a rich and dreamy folk nugget with a sense of euphoric optimism that shines throughout. The combination of organ and twangy guitars gives it a soulful, cosmic rock sound that culminates with the chorus, which is sure to linger in your head long after listening." The band will embark upon a national headlining tour in March, playing key shows including hometown Portland on April 4 at Mississippi Studios and New York City on May 29 at Mercury Lounge. The full list of dates is below.
Ezra Bell’s infectious form of folk pop ranges from anthemic to jangling, echoing romp-and-stomp heroes along the likes of Dr. Dog, The Decemberists, Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men. This six-piece has toured incessantly, organically earning a cult following with their raucous live performances. Their high-spirited songwriting rattles with beautiful recklessness, messily collecting life’s most relatable experiences and alighting them with playful perspective and celebratory melody. Frontman Benjamin Wuamett sings with a compelling rasp like that of Hamilton Leithauser, The Lumineers, or CAAMP, letting every lyric ring with the grating aches and striking joys of humanity.
Ezra Bell say of their new single — ""There is that time in the morning when the sun is just rising and the light is soft but everything is illuminated and beautiful. It is similar to when you have just fallen in love, where everything looks and feels more beautiful than ever ... which is almost like getting out of jail."
PRE-ORDER THIS WAY TO OBLIVION
TOUR
March 05 | Chico, CA @ Argus Bar
March 06 | Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
March 07 | Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
March 08 | Mariposa, CA @ Hideout Saloon
March 11 | San Diego, CA @ Casbah
March 13 | Flagstaff, AZ @ Green Room
March 14 | Albuquerque, NM @ Marble Brewery
March 20 | Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
March 21 | Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Granada*
April 02 | Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown
April 03 | Seattle, WA @ The Sunset
April 04 | Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
May 29 | New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
May 22-23 | Buena Vista Lake, CA @ Lightning In A Bottle Festival
May 30 | Beach Haven, NJ @ Hopsauce Festival
May 31 | Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint
June 04 | Concord,NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Stage
June 05 | Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom
June 06 | Burlington, VT @ ArtsRiot
June 07 | Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
June 10 | Richmond, VA @ The Camel
June 11 | Washington, DC @ Pie Shop
June 12 | Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse
June 13 | Asheville, NC @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall
June 25 | Chicago, IL @ Martyrs’
June 26-27 | Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest Festival
