BY BLOOD - The New Album From Shovels & Rope Set For April 12th Release

Nashville, TN – Acclaimed duo Shovels & Rope has announced the April 12th release of their new album, By Blood on Dualtone Music. Known for their honest, literate, and narrative-driven songwriting, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent (aka Shovels & Rope) inject raw and fiercely passionate emotion into the 10 new tracks on By Blood. The husband and wife team just released the biting, personal track “The Wire” (Listen Now). 

By Blood opens with the pulsating mantra of “I’m Comin’ Out”, a song with multiple subtexts ranging from the obvious, to a baby about to emerge, to showing up for the revolution with “the taste of blood in my mouth.” The “blood” referred to in the poignant title track is a message to their young daughter about the unbreakable union of family. As storytellers, Shovels & Rope create cinematic vignettes built around flawed characters who strive for greatness but are often overtaken by their shortcomings. Tracks such as the new wave-infused “The Wire” and the enduring epic “Carry Me Home” exude the vulnerability and fragility that comes with love. The duo puts their twist on the modern murder ballad in “Pretty Polly”, while an inspiring message of hope, strength, and acceptance is at the heart of the tale in “C’mon Utah”.

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As with their previous work, By Blood was produced by Michael Trent and recorded at their in-home studio, recently upgraded to a new structure in their backyard. Outside of fiddle on one track (“Hammer”) and horns on another (“Twisted Sisters”), all instruments and vocals were performed by Hearst & Trent. 

In an ever-changing music business and media landscape, Shovels & Rope continue to evolve, exploring new ways to express their creativity while maintaining the highest levels of integrity. Along with By Blood, 2019 will see the release of an illustrated children’s book based on the “C’mon Utah” story, as well their film “Shovels & Rope: The Movie”, turning the concert film format on its head. 2019 also marks the third year of Hearst & Trent’s highly anticipated High Water Festival on April 13th & 14th in their hometown of Charleston, SC (following the By Blood release). Curated by the duo, the intimate 10,000 capacity music and culinary event sold-out its first two years well in advance. The 2017 and 2018 lineups featured a select range of acclaimed artists, including The Shins, Brandi Carlile, Jeff Tweedy, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Dawes, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Band Of Horses, Lucius, Deer Tick, Julien Baker and many more. To view this year’s incredible line up, go to https://highwaterfest.com/.

Shovels & Rope have built a reputation as boldly honest, heart-on-sleeve artists who put everything into their craft and their incendiary live performances. 10 years in, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent are on the brink of having their second child, and their little family band and business show no signs of slowing down. The release By Blood just affirms that we are all the better for it.