Epic, Cosmic and Compassionate: William Prince’s Further From the Country out Today
Watch “Further From the Country” Official Video Here
A work of velocity, a work of empathy, a work of speed, flash, volume and profound emotional depth, Further From the Country sees William Prince reach for the cosmos while digging deeper into his childhood and memories. This epic journey from inner self to outer orbit is encapsulated in the album’s rocketing title track, which plots Prince’s path and desire to make a career for himself in music, the anxieties of this process, and the constant drive to move further. Musically, the song redefines where and what country music can be. By the time it calms and swells, the six-minute odyssey accomplishes its stated purpose: Just do what you came here to do.
On the new album, Prince writes intimately about his father, the man he was and the legacy Prince carries. Present throughout the new album in song and as the impetus to seek the world beyond his hometown, songs like “For the First Time” and “The Charmer” take stock of his life and loss.
Further From the Country also resurfaces memories of youth, not all of them happy, as a framework for processing the heartaches, injustices and overwhelming sorrows of today. In “All the Same,” as with “Damn,” Prince writes with striking clarity and sensitivity, drawing parallels from small town to big city hardships. As social commentaries, these songs hit hard with their deep humanity and universalism.
Two standout examples of Prince’s creative stretch include “Thousand Miles of Chain,” a menacing oil-slicked saga that tracks a bad man and his worse choices across the Old West and beyond. “Flowers on the Dash,” as light as the other is dark, shows Prince’s mastery of simplicity as a classic country kiss-off. Both songs showcase new dimensions of Prince’s storytelling acumen and sonic palette.
The album’s sound is the work of Prince’s hometown peers and heroes, a world-class lineup that starts with producer and labelmate Liam Duncan (aka Boy Golden). With his evident knack for creating distinct sonic scenes, whether it’s the cosmic breadth of “Further From the Country” or the passenger seat intimacy of “For the First Time,” Duncan’s trusted partnership is felt throughout.
As for the band, Prince combined his longtime players with Duncan’s “Church of Better Daze” compatriots, with contributions by Stephen Arundell (guitar), Cody Iwasiuk (drums), John Mark Baron (bass), Keiran Placatka (keys), Alyshia-Grace Prince (backing vocals), Austin Parachoniak (guitar), Kristopher Ulrich (baritone guitar), Ben Plotnick (viola/fiddle), Trent Freeman (violin) and Caleb Melo (pedal steel). Duncan also appears throughout with additional appearances on piano, drums, vocals and more.
Watch the full Further From the Country album trailer directed by Martin LaFrenière here.
Buy/Stream Further From the Country here.
TOUR DATES
11/05 Nashville, TN - Riverside Revival
11/18 Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool, Six Shooter’s Cosmic Country Night w/ Whitehorse, Boy Golden
11/20 Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
