Acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist Jonah Tolchin, whose songs have been streamed over 25 million times and have a current monthly listenership of 85,000-plus, released single “Save Me (From Myself)” today.
Tolchin joined forces with co-producer Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) to record his forthcoming album Dockside at the legendary Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana, a favorite studio of artists including Dr. John, B.B. King, Levon Helm, Taj Mahal, Derek Trucks, Ani Difranco, and Mavis Staples. Its October 20 release date marks the first album to come out on Clover Music Group, Tolchin's newly established label, which will include other artists.
Of the single, Tolchin says, “"This is a song about being your own worst enemy... I struggle with intrusive thoughts and having my inner-dialogue cranked up to 11. I hope that others can get some catharsis from this rocker.”
First single “Searching For My Soul” was added by tastemaker stations WMOT (Nashville, TN) and KCSN (Los Angeles, CA). American Songwriter called the song “skillful blues-rock.”
“When Jonah told me he wanted New Orleans flavor with a destination studio,” says Dickinson, “Terence Higgins (drummer) and Dockside Studio were the obvious choices. The location and the chemistry was perfect for Jonah to rise up and fly! Recorded live in two days, the session was joyful and effortless.”
New Yorkers: heads up that Tolchin will perform with his band August 24 at Mercury Lounge.
As a blues-inspired album, Dockside brings Tolchin full-circle. Many know him as a powerful fingerpicking acoustic guitar troubadour but his first appreciation for roots music came via his father, who owned a record shop in the Mississippi Delta and exposed Jonah to blues early on. Jonah’s first stage appearance came in a guest spot as a teenager with four-time Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Ronnie Earl.
The first single from Dockside the Muscle Shoals-flavored "Searching For My Soul," is set to release this Friday, creating anticipation for the album's upcoming release on Oct 20, and demonstrating the album’s amalgam of roots musics: blues, soul, rock, folk, Americana, rhythm & blues, all forged together in the Louisiana heat. Dockside, recorded live with minimal overdubs, will be available on all major streaming platforms as well as limited pressing of LP’s and CD’s. Tolchin and Dickinson find new ways to explore blues and soul-based songs, with funky rhythms and new ideas on guitar. Fans of Ben Harper and Derek Trucks will find plenty to love in these grooves.
Along with original songs written or co-written by Tolchin, Dockside takes "Blues With A Feeling" by Little Walter//Rabon Tarrant (who was born in Louisiana) and carries it into North Mississippi.
Dockside showcases Tolchin's exceptional talent on lead guitar, harmonica, and vocals, with Dickinson on rhythm guitar. Joining them are Terence Higgins on drums (Warren Haynes) and Nic Coolidge on bass. The album also features guest appearances by Chris Joyner on keyboards (Ben Harper), Carey Frank on piano (Tedeschi Trucks Band), and Chavonne Stewart (Jackson Browne) guest starring on lead vocal for R&B/soul gut puncher, “Too Far Down”.
In the near decade since his recorded debut Clover Lane in 2014, Tolchin's music has been praised by press outlets such as NPR, Mojo, and No Depression; he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, and Sara Watkins; and has shared the stage with bold-faced names like Tony Joe White, Dave Alvin, Gregg Allman, and Richard Thompson.
Tolchin’s previous album Thousand Mile Night has garnered over 12 million streams on Spotify alone. His music has also been featured on various editorial playlists and digital platforms including Spotify's Acoustic Grit, Blues & Roots Rock, New Retro, Apple's New Music Daily, and Amazon's Fresh Folk & Americana, among others.
The album was engineered by Justin Tockett with overdubs by Sheldon Gomberg (Ben Harper/Charlie Musselwhite) and Kevin Smith (Neil Young/Jackson Browne), mixed by Nic Coolidge in Providence, RI, and mastered by Pete Lyman (Brandi Carlile/Jason Isbell) in Nashville, TN.
For more information, please visit Jonah Tolchin's website at www.jonahtolchin.com.
