Singer/Songwriter Phil Cook is gearing up for the release of PEOPLE ARE MY DRUG, a collection of roots and gospel-infused songs written with a common message of community in each track. PAMD comes out June 1 on Psychic Hotline/Thirty Tigers. Pre-order PEOPLE ARE MY DRUG here.
Cook’s newest single is “Another Mother’s Son,” a modern-day civil rights song about police shootings, and a plea for community in a world full of disconnect. Cook enlisted another Durham NC hip hop artist and slam poetry-champion Kane Smego to help write this deeply personal track.
Cook says, “We live in a society that is both connected and increasingly apathetic toward the human experience. As a parent, I know that having fears and worries for my children is universal to the role. However, to be the parent of a black child in America is to send your kid out the door each day with a target on their body. This is a worry that my family will never know. We exist in the same communities, but the systematic injustice of our country has divided us into two different worlds. Empathy begins when we share in the fight for protecting black children from the disproportionate violence that they face in their everyday experience.”
For the full statement and “Another Mother’s Son” song lyrics see: http://philcookmusic.com/journal/anothermothersson
Cook heads out on tour on June 7, kicking things off with a performance at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. He also joins Daniel Norgren on the road for a few dates in July and August. Cook is also confirmed for the 2018 Pickathon Music Festival in Happy Valley Oregon August 3-5, as well as ACL Music Festival in Austin, TX Oct. 12-14. A full list of dates is below and at www.philcookmusic.com.
Cook has been involved in a number of projects, including psych-folk band Megafaun. He is a recording and touring member of Hiss Golden Messenger, has collaborated with Indigo Girls' Amy Ray, performed with Mavis Staples, and has been the Musical Director for The Blind Boys of Alabama. PEOPLE ARE MY DRUG follows Cook’s first solo album, 2015’s acclaimed Southland Mission. earned raves across the board, including Paste, The Bluegrass Situation, American Songwriter, Pitchfork, NPR’s World Cafe and others.
Phil Cook on Tour:
6/7 - Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle %
6/8 - Washington DC – Songbyrd %
6/10 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade %
7/31 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom*
8/1 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
8/3-5 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon
8/7-8 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern*
7/6-7 - Eau Claire, WI – Eaux Claires Music Festival
10/12-14 - Austin, TX – ACL Music Festival
% w/ Jake Xerxes Fussell
*Co-Headline with Daniel Norgren
