Very few artists write with the sincerity and intention of Lost Dog Street Band’s Benjamin Tod.
This is obvious, once again, in the band’s latest single “If You Leave Me Now,” the second single released thus far from their forthcoming record Survived. The fiddle and steel-soaked single is the latest in a catalog full of deeply introspective songs in which Tod reflects on the his embroiled past and struggles with addiction through honest lyricism.
At a time when the country music landscape seems to value authenticity more than ever, it’s hard to find anyone more honest and authentic than Tod. The Kentucky artist provided some valuable insight as to how “If You Leave Me Now” came about.
“I wrote, ‘If You Leave Me Now’ about no particular time or event. It came to me from a lifetime of bad decisions that I overcame the last few years. The opening line refers to the fact that anytime we lose self control and thrash objects around us, what’s left behind is much worse than the original problem.
I have certainly felt the chorus of this song many times in my life. It’s a focused desperation when such few anchors hold you to this world. Generally, I’d say most people don’t realize how fragile and close we all are to disaster. I had a discussion like that with a psychologist years ago. He found it weak that only a few things in the world kept me around so I started naming things in his life that would crush him to be removed and only got four details down before he surrendered. People need not be so cocky or sure of their stability before it’s tested. He wouldn’t make appointments with me after that so I guess I broke him…
I love the tempo and progression of this song. It is probably my favorite to sing in general from this record. The last verse is something addicts struggle heavily with. It’s so much easier to get a bottle or a bag of dope than deal with the complexities of life and love. Using is something you can enjoy with no effort and gives a feeling you can simply buy. It’s a rough psychology to change. I’m certainly happy to be on the other side of this song.”
With that context in mind, give this one a listen for yourself:
Survived, Lost Dog Street Band’s forthcoming record featuring “If You Leave Me Now” as well as the previously released lead single “Brighter Shade,” is set to be released on April 26th.
Check out the tracklist here.
“Brighter Shade”
“Lifetime of Work”
“Divine To Be”
“Last Train”
“Muhlenberg County Line”
“Son of Tennessee”
“Lonely Old Soul”
“Hubbardville Store”
“If You Leave Me Now”
“Survived”
Alongside Tod, Lost Dog Street Band features original members Ashley Mae, Tod’s wife, on fiddle, and Jeff Loops playing upright bass, as well as new additions Tebbs Karney on Pedal Steel and drummer Ben Duvall to round out the band’s new full band sound.
Together they’ll be bringing their new songs to a venue near you this spring in promotion of Survived, and you’re not going to want to miss it.
Tour Dates
4/18 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall*
4/19 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre*
4/20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall*
4/21 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone*
4/23 – Morgantown, WV – Metropolitan Theatre*
4/24 – Rochester, NY – The Essex*
4/26 – Portland, ME – State Theatre*
4/27 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom*
4/29 – Boston, MA – Royale*
5/1 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg*
5/3 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl*
5/4 – Washington, DC – The Howard*
5/5 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater*
5/8 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm*
5/10 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel*
5/11 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre*
5/12 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse*
5/29 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center^
5/30 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheatre^
5/31 – Union Hall, VA – The Coves Amphitheater^
6/1 – Lexington, KY – Railbird Festival
* Support from The Resonant Rogues
^Supporting Trampled By Turtles
