A week with new VNE is a good week in my books.
We are less than a month away from Vincent Neil Emerson blessing us with a brand-new record. Last month, he announced that he was gearing up to share Blue Stars, a collection of songs he wrote: “on front porches, in hotel rooms, and underneath trees.”
Slated for an April 17 release via La Honda Records, after penning these tunes, he took them to Music City. He recorded the project at Gnome Studios in Nashville, TN, with producer Patrick Lyons and Vincent’s touring band, The Red Horse Band.
Marking the Texas natives’ 4th studio project, fans are eager to hear what’s in store, as this is Emerson’s first LP since his 2023 release The Golden Crystal Kingdom.
Throughout his career thus far, Emerson has solidified himself as a songwriting mastermind rooted in tradition. He keeps the traditional sound of artists like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark alive, while still carving out his own.
“I think I’ve always gravitated towards artists that are honest about what they’re doing. It’s the most important thing because people have a chance to connect to a little more if you’re telling the truth.”
VNE once said regarding what inspires his songwriting, and he’s carried that truth-telling musical spirit throughout his career.
Keeping tradition alive, VNE is honoring one of the greats with a brand new tune inspired by Bob Dylan and the Band.
“‘Livin’ in the Past’ is a song that’s sonically inspired by Bob Dylan and The Band. I’ve always been a fan of genre blending, and that’s what this song is. A mixture of country, soul, and folk stylings.”
Serving as the third single from the forthcoming record, “Livin’ In The Past” highlights the joy of enjoying some of the older things in this world. The solo write features a breezy, laid-back melody as VNE sings about not fully adapting to modern ways of life. In the same breath, the tune also touches on reliving memories and glory days, not fully wanting to move on from that chapter of life.
This is the kind of tune I needed as the days get warmer; it makes you want to kick your feet up, crack open a cold one, and sit on the porch to swap stories with some old friends. VNE does not miss, and “Livin’ In the Past” is no exception.
Turn it up:
Blue Stars Tracklist:
Side A:
Livin’ In The Past
Fishin’ Hole
The Great Highway
Blue Stars
Dark Horse
Rich Man
Side B:
See My Pony Run
Jet Plane
Angeline
Louisiana Wind
Chippin’ At The Stone
Rising Of The Sage
Blue Stars Tour Dates:
3/20 – Oklahoma City, OK
3/21 – Kansas City, MO
3/23 – Minneapolis, MN
3/24 – Wisconsin Dells, WI
3/26 – Chicago, IL
3/27 – Jasper, IN
3/28 – Lexington, KY
3/31 – Indianapolis, IN
4/2 – Nashville, TN
4/3 – St. Louis, MO
4/4 – Little Rock, AR
4/5 – Little Rock, AR
4/24 – Denver, CO
4/25 – Denver, CO
4/27 – Salt Lake City, UT
4/28 – Boise, ID
5/1 – Seattle, WA
5/2 – Seattle, WA
5/3 – Portland, OR
5/5 – San Francisco, CA
5/7 – Los Angeles, CA
5/8 – San Diego, CA
5/9 – Phoenix, AZ
