Earlier last year, in the beginnings of shelter-in-place orders and mask mandates, The Steel Wheels’ primary songwriter Trent Wagler began crowdsourcing personal experiences of fans and forging them into songs. The project quickly became an avenue for fans of the band to commission works and send musical greetings to their loved ones as well, and the initiative sparked a surprisingly impactful and intimate songwriting process. Eventually, the band released a batch of their new tunes as a full-length record, Everyone A Song, Vol. 1., much to the delight of fans and critics alike. No Depression wrote, “Wagler and the rest of the Steel Wheels have found a way to make the most out of what’s been dealt to all of us in a difficult year. In doing so, they’ve found a way to not only bring their music closer to their fans, but to bring their fans closer to each other."
Today, The Steel Wheels’ 2nd curated batch of these highly-unique songs are being released into the world. Everyone A Song, Vol. 2 is more focused thematically, with each song having been commissioned for a specific relationship event—a birth, a wedding, a memory of home. But still, the heartwarming and sometimes emotional feeling of Vol. 1 still rings true with this second release. Building on the body of work begun with Vol. 1, the 9 songs of Vol. 2 also have an identity of their own, with themes that reflect the zeitgeist of a country dealing with tragedy and unsettling change. Everyone A Song, Vol. 2 can be streamed or purchased now right here and new merchandise can be purchased at The Steel Wheels’ merch shop. And for those who haven’t heard Vol. 1, it can be streamed here.
Everyone A Song, Vol. 2 In The News:
In a premiere of “Time Is All I Need,” PopMatters praised the song’s healthy groove, writing, “Sauntering vocals mesh with a good-humored swagger, and the whole band turns in an in-pocket performance that’s easy to sway to.”
The Boot shared a first listen of “The Adventures of Grace and Henry,” a commissioned song that tells the story of one family’s pandemic experience.
Current highlighted The Steels Wheels album-companion podcast We Made You A Song and how it all came to fruition with their hometown public radio station, WMRA.
Listen to the podcast here; new episodes of We Made You A Song drop each Tuesday. Additionally, The Steel Wheels began touring again in October and will continue on the road through the end of the year. They play in Bridgewater, Virginia, tonight before heading to Norfolk and into the Southeast. A list of tour dates is below and more information can be found at thesteelwheels.com/tour.
Catch The Steel Wheels On Tour:
Nov. 5 - Bridgewater, VA - Sipe Center
Nov. 6 - Norfolk, VA - Roper Performing Arts Center
Dec. 1 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
Dec. 2 - Chattanooga, TN - Arts Avenue
Dec. 3 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre w/ Acoustic Syndicate
Dec. 4 - Raleigh, NC - Motorco
Dec. 5 - Vienna, VA - Jammin’ Java
Everyone A Song, Vol. 2 Tracklist:
1. Where I’m From
2. Time Is All I Need
3. Mark On Me
4. Memories In Mind
5. Adventures Of Grace And Henry
6. Lifeline
7. Where Our Future Begins
8. It’s Your Fault
9. Lullaby
