Steep Canyon Rangers Slates ‘Next Act,’ Due In May

The Steep Canyon Rangers have released a new track, “Heart’s the Only Compass (feat. Steve Martin),” from their upcoming studio album, Next Act, due out May 22 on Yep Roc Records.

“It’s natural to look back at history, especially our personal history, and feel like things turned out in a way that makes perfect sense,” says songwriter Graham Sharp about the new single. “After hearing some stories of my grandparents’ younger days and seeing people around me learning about their family history through DNA tests, it struck me just how much of a crapshoot it is. When every daily choice seems monumental, it feels good to think that the generations before us didn’t know what they were doing anymore than we do. And the best you can do is follow your heart.”

Recorded by Julian Dreyer and produced by Mike Ashworth and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Next Act represents a return to the band’s bluegrass roots and the music that first shaped them. The album, their 15th studio project, features guest appearances by Martin, Edie Brickell on “Halfway to Reno,” and Celia Woodsmith of Della Mae on “Hard Times.”

Previously released tracks from the project include the title track, which explores reinvention, and “Circling the Drain,” which is inspired in part by Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Demon Copperhead.

In support of Next Act, the band is set to launch a 27-date tour in February which includes a series of dates with Steve Martin & Martin Short, an evening with the Nashville Symphony, and festival appearances including MerleFest, Kerrville Folk Festival, and RockyGrass.