Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker Details Solo Album ‘Bright Future’ & Tour Dates

Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker will issue a new solo album, Bright Future, on March 22 via 4AD. Along with the LP announcement, the singer-songwriter and guitarist shared the single, “Sadness As A Gift,” and 2024 North American Tour dates.

The new single arrives after previously released Bright Future track “Ruined.” The 12-track record also contains the original recording of Big Thief-favorite “Vampire Empire.”

Lenker captured the follow-up to her 2020 solo album songs & instrumentals at the sylvan analog studio Double Infinity. Adrianne co-produced the record with frequent collaborator and engineer Philip Weinrobe, who rolled an Otari 1/2 inch 8-Track and Studer console into the studio for the sessions.

Lenker handpicked a trio of musicians to help her record Bright Future. Of pianist/guitarist/violinist Mat Davidson, Adrianne said, “I’ve known Mat a long time. It doesn’t matter what instrument, his spirit just pours through.”

Also a longtime friend, Nick Hakim added piano as well. “The way Nick would hold my songs, he would put every ounce of love,” she said. Lenker met classically trained violinist and percussionist Josefin Runsteen in an Italian castle and sought out his “magnetic and contagious” energy to round out the human cast.

“I think the thing these people have in common, they are some of the best listeners I know musically,” Lenker added. “They have extreme presence.”

The woodland Double Infinity recording facility was like another trusted friend, helping everyone to relax and create. “It felt like everyone’s nervous systems released,” Adrianne said. “Once we were IN the song, somehow we just knew. No one stopped a take. We didn’t listen back. I only listened after everybody else left.”

A press release further described Lenker’s new record:

Bright Future has the best qualities of thoughtful engineering with the spontaneous swim of a field recording. There are details to savor, fingertips on strings, felt pads nodding in the piano, the harmonies a few steps back, all smoothly laid to tape. It comes together to allow Adrianne’s songs to be as they are, unarmored and light-footed.

Preview Bright Future with “Sadness As A Gift” below:

Adrianne Lenker also announced 2024 North American tour dates to go along with a previously announced European tour. The NA trek begins with a two-night stand at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas June 9 and 10.

Among the summer and fall tour dates are stops in Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Brooklyn, Atlanta and Washington D.C. Adrianne Lenker wraps her North American tour with a two-night stand at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer November 25 and 26.

Various presales begin Thursday, January 18 while general on sales start Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. local time.

Bright Future Tracklist:

1. Real House
2. Sadness As A Gift
3. Fool
4. No Machine
5. Free Treasure
6. Vampire Empire
7. Evol
8. Candleflame
9. Already Lost
10. Cell Phone Says
11. Donut Seam
12. Ruined