Bman's Blues Report: JC Brooks & the Uptown Soung release 7" + new tour dates

JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND RELEASE 7”

featuring “I GOT HIGH” b/w “RIVER”

NEW TOUR DATES UPDATED INTO OCTOBER

Following the release of their Bloodshot Records debut full-length Want More last fall and an amazing performance at Lollapalooza, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has released a limited-run 7” record (only 500 copies), which will highlight a stretch of tour dates extending through September and feature a Brooklyn Soul Shakedown at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York.

7” LINK: http://bloodshotrecords.com/album/i-want-more-7-single

The vinyl-only release features crowd favorite, “I Got High” – a song that NPR Music recently praised in saying, “Words are laced with honesty, as a burgeoning band brings a joyous song to life while singing about the everyday”. Side B is “River”, a newly written ballad that showcases the band’s flourishing songwriting (a la some Otis Redding slow-burning gospel fervor), where inspirational wordplay intertwines with a prowling yet dynamic waltzing melody.

The band explains the story behind the two tunes and the motivation to release a 7” record at this time:

“Despite being an uptempo dance number, I Got High, was written in that post-break up period where you're just in a haze. It’s about making a decision to party instead of feeling bad. I think it makes for a good dancing because it’s a dance song that is aware that sometimes you hit the town to celebrate life and other times to escape it. Both are valid in my eyes. Last year while in such a haze, I spent a lot of time out on the town mostly winding up where Soul DJs were spinning vinyl so I thought it would be fitting to get a vinyl release of this song about those days.

”The B Side, River, is special stripped down version of a song that will be on our next album. It’s very autobiographical. It’s a Gospel tune, but it’s a little more contemplative than other Gospel tunes. It’s about questioning whether or not you are alone in the wilderness.”

Both songs were recorded and mixed by Alex Hall at Hi Style, with special, original artwork designed by Scott Williams.

JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound just added new tour dates. A complete itinerary is listed below.

8/11 Turin, NY at Snow Ridge Ski Resort

8/12 Burlington, VT at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge

8/15 Rehoboth Beach, DE at Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats

8/16 Asbury Park, NJ at Asbury Lanes

8/17 Brooklyn, NY at Brooklyn Bowl

8/18 Cockeysville, MD at Hot August Blues

8/19 Cleveland, OH at Beachland Tavern

8/24 Springfield, IL at Old Capitol Blues & BBQ

8/25 Bloomington, IL at Bloomington Center for Performing Arts

8/31 Portland, OR at Mississippi Studios