Next week, the national lottery numbers.
Earlier this year, The Dead Tongues (aka Ryan Gustafson) released a pair of albums, “Body Of Light” and “I Am A Cloud”. “Body of Light” was released mid-June 2024 while “I Am A Cloud” emerged digitally on 9th August 2024, along with the physical release on CD and vinyl of both records as a package. Now Gustafson has announced tour dates in Europe and the UK in November and December 2024
Gustafson, from North Carolina, has emerged as one of modern roots music’s most distinct voices. The Dead Tongues’ albums remain some of the more compelling and curious works in their field. Gustafson spent a month at “the Shack,” a primitive and private structure in rural western North Carolina, working on new material and sorting through piles of poems, sticky notes scattered across the windows, and stacks of free writing streams of thought. Most of the songs were written during this time.
Gustafson wanted to continue with that explorative energy once he got into the formal studio, allowing it to lead the group of musicians which included Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak, Bon Iver), Mat Davidson (Twain), Matt Douglas (The Mountain Goats), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Megafaun) and Jeff Ratner (Bing and Ruth). Gustafson wanted to dedicate the studio time to not just recording songs but also making something new, with new improvisations.
The two albums are both impressive pieces of work. “Body Of Light” is slightly more orthodox americana music while “I Am A Cloud” stretches further afield with elements of electronica for example. Together they provide a fascinating picture of Gustafson’s creativity while acting as a signpost to the directions in which he may take his work in the future. You can see the video for ‘I’m A Cloud Now’ below. All of which should make for a great live experience. Check venues and agency sites for tickets.
The Dead Tongues European Dates 2024:
27 November – Cologne, DE – Blue Shell
29 November – Diksmuide, BE – 4AD
30 November – Utrecht, NL – Club 9
2 December – London, UK – The Waiting Room
4 December – Manchester, UK – Gullivers
5 December – Glasgow, UK – McChuills
