Neal Francis Announces EP, Shares Two New Songs; will perform tomorrow at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards Show
Alvin M. Keeling
3 min read
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Francois Francois shared “Alright, Pts. 1 & 2,” available today on all DSPs and streaming services. Produced in Los Angeles by longtime collaborator Sergio Rios, the soulful-sounding double single that also features a cover of “Strawberry Letter 23” announces the Chicago-based artist’s upcoming EP, Sentimental waste, arriving via ATO Records on Friday, November 18. Pre-orders are available now. Rolling Stone Country premiered the songs earlier today.
Sentimental Garbage – which follows last year’s groundbreaking second album, In full view (ATO) – collects a number of standout tracks recorded during the original album sessions at the Parsonage, Francis’ DIY studio at St. Peter’s Church in Chicago, plus newly recorded covers of classic Shuggie Otis songs (“Strawberry Letter 23”) and The Three Degrees (“Collage”).
“Sentimental Garbage was the working title of our last LP,” says Francis, “which includes the track of the same name. We ended up calling this record In Plain Sight while removing the title track from the sequence. I knew this was my last chance to stick Sentimental Garbage on a record cover, the thought of which always brought me great joy. It also works because this record is compiled of bittersweet tracks. I guess we could have called the record Burnt Ends as well.
LISTEN “VERY WELL, PTS. 1 & 2″
LISTEN TO “STRAWBERRY LETTER 23”
PRE-ORDER SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE EP
Sentimental waste continues what has already proven a 2022 milestone for Francis, with highlights including a prestigious honors and award nomination from the Americana Music Association (for “Emerging Act of the Year”), a benefit single featuring Wilco with a live collaboration on their classic, “Theologians,” and first live appearance on CBS Saturday Morning performing the highlight of In Plain Sight, “Can’t Stop The Rain.”
Hailed by SPIN as “a fascinating performer,” Francis will mark the arrival of Sentimental Garbage with a wide-ranging live program, including a confirmed appearance at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards Show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on September 14 It will also play top titles, make festival appearances and embark on a North American tour in support of Marcus King who will travel to New York for a two-night stand at the historic Beacon Theater later this week (15- September 16). A highly anticipated EU/UK tour will follow in November, with headline dates in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Spain. For more details and ticket information, please visit www.nealfrancis.com/tour.
NEAL FRANCOIS
ON TOUR 2022-2023
SEPTEMBER
15 – New York, New York – Beacon Theater ^
16 – New York, New York – Beacon Theater ^
17 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! ^
20 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY ^
21 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – AE Stadium^
23 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC live at 20 Monroe ^
24 – Madison, WI – La Sylvee ^
25 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theater ^
27 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Hall of the Old National Center ^
29 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium ^
30 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium ^
OCTOBER
1 – Atlanta, Georgia – The Tabernacle ^
2 – Atlanta, Georgia – The Tabernacle ^
4 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Bar-BQ ^
6 – Phoenix, Arizona – The Van Buren ^
7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern ^
8 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
11 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic ^
13 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom ^
14 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theater ^
15 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theater ^
17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Resort ^
18 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom ^
20 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant ^
21 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom ^
22 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit ^
23 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater and Ballroom ^
25 – Charlotte, North Carolina – The Fillmore Charlotte ^
26 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company ^
27 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans ^
NOVEMBER
1 – London, UK – Moth Club
2 – Maastricht, Netherlands – Muziekgieterij
3 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Bird
4 – Nijmegen, NL – Merleyn
5 – Groningen, Netherlands – Take Root Festival †
6 – Utrecht, Netherlands – from Helling
8 – Antwerp, BE – Trix Bar
9 – Leffinge, BE – De Zwerver
10 – Beauvais, FR – The Box Opener
11 – Saint-Lô, FR – Le Normandy
12 – Béthune, FR – Le Poche
13 – Paris, FR – Festival Please, Please, Please @ La Boule Noire †
15 – Hengelo, NL – Metropool
16 – Hamburg, Germany – Häkken
17 – Copenhagen, DK – Råhuset
18 – Malmö, SE – Folk to Rock
19 – Falkenberg, SE – Tryckhallen
20 – Stockholm, SE – Nalen
21 – Oslo, NO – Bla
22 – Bergen, NO – Lille Ole Bull
25 – Berlin, Germany – Prachtwerk
26 – Munich, Germany – Milla Club
27 – Milan, IT – Spazio Teatro 89
30 – Barcelona, ES – Piñata Music Series @ La Nau
DECEMBER
1-4 – Key West, Florida – Coast Is Clear Music & Arts Festival †
2-3 – Lake Wales, Florida – Orange Blossom Revue †
JANUARY 2023
2 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen
FEBRUARY 2023
6-12 – Miami, FL > Puerto Plata, DR > Ocean Cay, BS – Jam Cruise 19
† Festival show
^ Supporting Marcus King
