Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/25/2024
Photo by Bob Ademek
(NASHVILLE, TN) -- Roots rockers Yarn bust out the Hammond organ and pedal steel on their new single, "Traveling Kind" The alt-country anthem, which they praise for its "JJ Cale meets Roger Miller" feel, celebrates the joys of the open road and an itinerant lifestyle, set against a musical backdrop of wailing pedal steel, swelling Hammond organ, honky-tonk piano and soaring vocal harmonies.
Frontman Blake Christiana captures his wanderlust with the lyrics, “Like a junkie needs a fix, I’m headed out / And I never get lost / No, I always get found." The single will be available on all streaming services on Friday, June 28; pre-save it HERE.
The inspiration for the song came about during the pandemic shutdown. With the world in limbo, Christiana booked two months of house concerts and set out cross-country with his wife, performing in people's houses and backyards.
"It was 100 percent nomadic and it was badass," Christiana recalls. "It was when all the major cities' downtowns were boarded up from the George Floyd protests. It was a wild time in America and we saw it all. Even Rodeo Dr. was boarded up. Folks, If ya get a chance, hit the road; it gets in your blood and you’ll never wanna stop.”
Born, Blessed, Grateful, & Alive, out July 26 via Symphonic Distribution, is Yarn's first studio album eight years and a fine return to form. Along with producer Damian Calcagne, the album brought together Yarn’s rhythm section, Robert Bonhomme and Rick Bugel, along with Mike Robinson and Johnny Grubb (Railroad Earth), Andy Falco (Infamous Stringdusters), Mike Sivilli (Dangermuffin), Heather Hannah, and Elliott Peck (Midnight North).
The songs on Born, Blessed, Grateful & Alive reflect the range of human experience. There’s the laconic country ballad, “I Want You.” A road song, “Nomad Man,” glitters with ringing finger-picking and soaring steel runs as it evokes the loneliness and solitude of the moving from one place to another, while the soulful “These Words Alone,” with its driving Hammond B3 organ and gospel-inflected harmonies, sonically resembles Van Morrison’s later songs. The rollicking steel guitar on “Down at the Dancehall” introduces a twangy rambler that would be at home on any album by the Flying Burrito Brothers.
“No one has any idea why we're here, what we're supposed to be doing here or what comes next, and there are very few things in this life to connect us to one another, other than the fact that we all don't know these things,” he says. "I like to think our music could be one of the places where we can connect.”
TOUR DATES:
FR & SA, JUL 19 & 20 Erwin, TN - Yarn Camp on The Banks of The Nolichucky
TU, JUL 23 Emerald Isle, NC - Gaffer's
WE, JUL 24 Emerald Isle, NC - Gaffer's
TH, JUL 25 Charleston, SC - Pour House
FR, JUL 26 Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater CD release show
SA, JUL 27 Charlotte, NC - Whitewater Center
FR, AUG 2 Charlottesville, VA - Ting Pavilion
SA AUG 3 Greensboro, NC - Natty Green's
SU, AUG 4 Asheville, NC - AVL Fest
TH, AUG 15 Decatur, GA - Eddies Attic
FR, AUG 16 Nashville, TN - Basement East
SA AUG 17 Loudon, TN - Windy Hill Farm
FR AUG 30 Charlestown, RI - Rhythm & Roots Festival
SA AUG 31 New London, CT - Captain Scott's Lobster Dock
SU SEP 1 Frenchtown, NJ - Concert Series
FR SEP 6 Thomas, WV - the Purple Fiddle
SA SEP 7 Thomas, WV - the Purple Fiddle
SA OCT 26 Troy, VA - The Yarnival 2024
—Northeast dates to be announced soon
COLUMNS
BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.
MORE NEWS
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday
"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier
The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday
Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday
UPCOMING SHOWS
2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.
MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview
West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series
Jersey Arts Podcast: Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna Bring New Tour to New Jersey
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