ATO Records is excited to announce the release of Ben Kweller’s new record on February 3, 2009. The album is his fourth full-length and is called Changing Horses. It was produced by Kweller and recorded mostly in Austin, TX, where he and his family recently re-located. The title is meaningful as it represents a sea change for the 27-year-old Texan-bred musician. Beginning with his first record, Sha Sha, released in 2002, Kweller’s albums have always been stylistically restless, moving from indie rock to ballads to anti-folk to melodic chug rock, often from song to song. Changing Horses, on the other hand, is of one mind — a full-blown, straight up country affair, brimming with immaculate pedal steel, twang and multi-part harmonies. It features his touring band — Chris Morrissey on bass and vocals, and Mark Stepro on drums and vocals — as well as the brilliant Kitt Kitterman on pedal steel. Like all of Kweller’s work, the new album is filled with unforgettable melodies and deeply soulful lyrics that could only come from someone as sensitive to the human spirit as he is.
Kweller and his band, who just finished a tour of America, the UK and Europe, have confirmed a North American tour for 2009 to suort the release of Changing Horses. The confirmed tour dates are below. A west coast leg of the tour as well more international dates will be announced soon.
February
16 Omaha, NE Slowdown
17 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre
18 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall
21 Cleveland, OH Case Western Reserve U
22 Toronto, ONT The Mod Club Theatre
24 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre
25 New York, NY Town Hall
26 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
27 Philadelphia, PA TLA
28 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel
March
1 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
3 Lousiville, KY Headliners Music Hall
4 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
5 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
6 Birmingham, AL Workplay Theater
