Nick Lowe has shared a new preview track from his forthcoming studio album, Indoor Safari, a reworked version of a 2001 rarity “Different Kind of Blue.” Coinciding with the premiere of the song, Lowe has announced a 17-date North American fall tour with his current backing group, Los Straitjackets.
Lowe originally recorded a raw version of “Different Kind of Blue” during the sessions for his 2001 studio effort, The Convincer. That rendition wasn’t widely available until 2021, when it was included on an expanded 20th anniversary reissue of the album. The new version features updated lyrics and accompaniment by Los Straitjackets.
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“I had recorded this one as a demo back during The Convincer sessions and [it was sent] off as a b-side to the label to be included as a bonus track on an exclusive version of the album,” Lowe explained. “I had forgotten about this song for the most part until recently fans have rediscovered the track and brought it back to my attention. I listened to the original demo, wrote new lyrics and added a full band arrangement to it and think it turned out pretty good.”
You can check out a lyric video for the retro-pop tune at Lowe’s official YouTube channel.
Indoor Safari will be released on September 13. It’s Lowe’s first full-length album featuring mostly original tunes in 13 years.
Lowe recorded Indoor Safari with Los Straightjackets, the Nashville-based surf-rock band whose members wear Mexican wrestling masks when they perform. The group has served as Lowe’s main backing band since 2014.
[RELATED: Nick Lowe to Release First New Album in More than a Decade, Indoor Safari; Check Out Lead Single “Went to a Party”]
“Different Kind of Blue” is the second advance track to be released from the album. It follows “Went to a Party,” a surf-flavored retro-rock tune.
“Went to a Party” and the updated “Different Kind of Blue” are among three new tunes on Indoor Safari. The album also features seven updated versions of songs Lowe previously recorded with Los Straightjackets that appeared on a series of EPs released from 2018 to 2020. In addition, Indoor Safari includes two covers—“Raincoat in the River,” which Ricky Nelson recorded in 1965, and the 1964 Garney Mims & the Enchanters tune “A Quiet Place.”
The album can be pre-ordered now. It’s available on CD, standard black vinyl, and as a limited-edition bamboo-colored-vinyl LP.
Lowe’s 2024 Tour Plans
Lowe’s North American trek will kick off with an October 10-11 stand at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, and is plotted out through a November 2-3 engagement at the Fine Line in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tour also will include multiple-night stands in Philadelphia; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Toronto; and Chicago.
Prior to the North American outing, Lowe and Los Straitjackets will play five concerts in the U.K. in late September. First up for the 75-year-old British singer/songwriter, he’ll take part in a Q&A event organized by The Grammy Museum on July 30 at the National Sawdust venue in Brooklyn, New York. Dubbed “A New York Evening with Nick Lowe,” the event will feature Lowe chatting with Saturday Night Live cast member James Austin Johnson, followed by a short performance.
Tickets for Lowe’s shows are on sale now, or will be soon, via various outlets, including StubHub.
Nick Lowe Tour Dates (* = with Los Straitjackets)
July 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ The GRAMMY Museum at National Sawdust
September 24 – London, U.K. @ The London Palladium*
September 26 – Sunderland, U.K. @ The Fire Station*
September 28 – Dublin, Ireland @ National Concert Hall
September 29 – Manchester, U.K. @ O2 Ritz Manchester*
September 30 – Birmingham, U.K. @ O2 Academy Birmingham*
October 10 – New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom*
October 11 – New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom*
October 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live*
October 13 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live*
October 16 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall*
October 17 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall*
October 20 – Washington, DC @ Atlantis*
October 21 – Washington, DC @ Atlantis*
October 22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird*
October 24 – Toronto, Canada @ TD Music Hall*
October 25 – Toronto, Canada @ TD Music Hall*
October 26 – Ferndale, MI @ Magic Bag*
October 29 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall*
October 30 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall*
November 1 – Milwaukee, WI @ Vivarium*
November 2 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line*
November 3 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line*
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