Dualtone Records Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Compilation

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Dualtone Records will release Keep Pressing On: 25 Years Of Dualtone on Dec. 4.

The 17-track project will feature new tracks and covers celebrating the label’s 25th anniversary. Artists included on the record include Shakey Graves, flipturn, Abraham Alexander, Angie McMahon, Futurebirds, Mt. Joy, The Brook & The Bluff, Kathleen Edwards, The Lumineers, Gatlin, Jack Van Cleaf, Mountain Grass Unit and Hayes Carll, Shovels & Rope, Judah & the Lion, Langhorne Slim, Aubory Bugg and Gregory Alan Isakov.  

The first two tracks of the album are available now, including The Lumineers’ new song “Isabelle Fly” and Cleaf’s cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Best of All Possible Worlds.”

“In April of 2012, we had just released our debut album and were on a pretty intense run; every day seemed to involve the trifecta of morning acoustic radio performances, interviews and shows,” share The Lumineers. “On the humid Nashville evening of April 27th, we met an angel in the form of our label head, Paul Roper. We were about to play the Basement, below Grimey’s record shop, and Paul could see we were truly haggard. Earlier that day, we had done a long photo shoot which felt awkward. Paul appeared like a mirage in the desert, opening his trunk to us to reveal his bounty of Dominoes Pizza and a 12-pack of Stella’s. As we ate and drank, we felt looked after. And although it was a small gesture, it defined what Paul and Dualtone have done for us all these years. They do the little things and manage to always show up. It’s a rare quality in a label and a person, and I’m grateful for it.

“The song ‘Isabelle Fly’ never actually took flight. It felt like some sort of failed attempt,” they continue. “But I’ve always loved this song anyway and am glad it’s got a place on this 25 year compilation so we can share this song finally.”

“I’m deeply honored to get to contribute to Dualtone’s 25th anniversary compilation album,” says Cleaf. “I feel lucky to have found a home at Dualtone, alongside artists who have inspired me since I first picked up a guitar, with a team who so evidently and intentionally cares for the music they represent.

“Kristofferson was my gateway album into Kris Kristofferson’s music and has remained one of my favorite albums of all time,” he continues. “Songs like ‘Best of All Possible Worlds’ spotlight Kristofferson’s knack for humor and keen social critique in his lyrics. Recorded with good friends of mine in New York, it was a joy to perform this song that I have always looked toward as an exemplary piece of songwriting.”

“Paul Roper was universally beloved in this industry,” Dualtone General Manager and SVP of Artist Development Whitaker Elledge adds. “He was a mentor and a friend and a confidant, and losing him was devastating for all of us. But that grief also provided an incredible sense of motivation because we knew exactly how Paul would want us to carry on and keep building this place we’re all so lucky to call home.”

Dualtone’s 25th anniversary celebration will begin next week with two events during AmericanaFest. The “Dualtone at 25: Keep Pressing On” panel will take place Sept. 16, followed by the label’s official 25th Anniversary Bash showcase on Sept. 17. Moderated by World Cafe host Raina Douris, the panel will feature Dualtone Records Co-Founder Scott Robinson, Elledge, SVP of Promotion and Strategy Julie Muncy, The Team’s Keith Levy and Bugg.

The Dualtone 25th Anniversary Bash will take place at The Basement East as part of the label’s official AmericanaFest showcase. The lineup includes Houndmouth, Shakey Graves, The Brook & The Bluff, Langhorne Slim, Futurebirds, Alexander, Bugg and special guests.

Keep Pressing On: 25 Years of Dualtone Records Tracklist:
1. Shakey Graves – “One In A Million”
2. flipturn – “Sad Disco (Pine Studios)”
3. Abraham Alexander – “Fire And Rain (feat. Joy Oladokun)”
4. Angie McMahon – “Clay Pigeons”
5. Futurebirds – “Yur Not Ded (2.0)”
6. Mt. Joy – “New President”
7. The Brook & The Bluff – “Fool Yourself”
8. Kathleen Edwards – “Dogs and Alcohol”
9. The Lumineers – “Isabelle Fly”
10. Gatlin – “Dead Sea”
11. Jack Van Cleaf – “Best of All Possible Worlds”
12. Mountain Grass Unit and Hayes Carll – “Railroad River Junction”
13. Shovels & Rope – “Te Amo (Reprise)”
14. Judah & the Lion – “Old Man”
15. Langhorne Slim – “What A Wonderful World”
16. Aubory Bugg – “Both Sides Now”
17. Gregory Alan Isakov – “The Parting Glass”

Madison Hahnen
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