Tim Easton Announces New Lp ‘You Don’t Really Know Me’, Shares Summer Tour Dates
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tim Easton has announced his tenth solo album You Don’t Really Know Me, set for release via Black Mesa Records on August 27. The news was shared exclusively today via Holler along with the record’s title track, “You Don’t Really Know Me” and its accompanying music video, filmed and produced by Chad Cochran.
Autobiographical, reflective and raw, Easton digs deeper than ever before on the “roots-infused” single.
“This is easily the most personal tune I’ve ever written,” Easton told Holler. “I wanted to write a song about my family. I wanted to honor the things they taught me.”
Blending elements from Americana, rock and the blues, You Don’t Really Know Me marks a pivotal new chapter in Easton’s already incredible career. For over 20 years, he has earned a devoted following for his sharp lyricism and electric stage presence. A longtime warrior of the road, Easton has played alongside greats like Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams. After years of long tours and busy schedules, Easton found himself at a crossroads. You Don’t Really Know Me finds Easton with a new perspective, acknowleding his missteps but determined to push forward.
“In some ways, it’s a recovery album,” says the singer/songwriter, who wrote the bulk of You Don’t Really Know Me during the national quarantine of 2020. “Not only recovery from a vice, but also recovery from a divorce and a destructive, rambling life of self-centered gratification. It’s a peaceful, positive, loving album — an album about personal revolution.”
Easton recruited friends and fellow stalwarts of the Nashville music scene for the record, including producers Tommy Scifres (Aaron Lee Tasjan) and Robin Eaton (Jill Sobule) who also worked on Easton’s 1998 debut record, Special 20, and a special appearance by Nikki Barber (the Minks).Easton’s vocals were recorded alongside the band’s performances, resulting in an organic album that captures not only the spread of his abilities, but the breadth of his musical inspiration, too. There are Leadbelly-influenced protest songs (“Son My Son”), caffeinated folk-rock anthems (“Speed Limit”), moving tributes to John Prine (“Voice On The Radio”) and Justin Townes Earle (the Great American Songbook-worthy “River Where Time Was Born”), and anthemic rallying cries for communion and camaraderie (“Festival Song”). Throughout it all, Easton sings each line in a voice that’s textured by years of touring and emboldened by his newfound peace of mind.
YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW ME TRACKLISTING:
1. You Don’t Really Know Me
2. Real Revolution
3. Speed Limit
4. Peace Of Mind
5. Voice On The Radio
6. Running Down Your Soul
7. Son My Son
8. Anchor
9. Festival Song
10. River Where Time Was Born
Tim Easton 2021 Tour Dates:
June 29 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery***
July 23 – Hope, AK @ Seaview Cafe Bar
July 30 – Girdwood, AK @ House Show (see website for more details)
July 31 – Virgo Tell It On The Mountain Fest @ Eagle River, AK
Aug. 6 – Ninilchik, AK @ Salmonfest
Aug. 13 – Homer, AK @ Bunnell Street Gallery
Aug. 14 – Hope, AK @ Creekbend
Aug. 15 – Hope, AK @ Creekbend
Aug. 27 – Columbus, OH @ Natalies Grandview
Aug. 28 – St. Paris, OH @ Possum Hollow
Aug. 29 – Wakeman, OH @ Riverdog
Sept. 2 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement [Record Release Show]
Sept. 10 – Asheville, NC @ ISIS
Photo credit: ROBBY KLINE