Lenny Kaye Is ‘Goin’ Local’ On Debut Solo Album

Pioneering punk and garage rock guitarist Lenny Kaye announced Goin’ Local, his debut solo album, due out July 17 via Yep Roc Records. The longest-serving member of the Patti Smith Group also dropped the record’s bombastic title track and opening song.

The 12-track project includes deeply personal songs the 79-year-old musician penned over the course of many years. “I feel like I’m a new artist,” Kaye exclaimed. “I think this album will surprise those who think they know me from what I’ve done previously.”

Lenny Kaye recruited Patti Smith to co-wrote the song “Solstice” for Goin’ Local. The project also includes contributions from Railroad Earth's Tim Carbone, jazz pianist Matthew Shipp, multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, T Bone Burnett, Lucinda Williams) and The Jayhwaks' John Jackson.

The introspective lead single “Goin’ Local” is one of Kaye’s most autobiographical songs to date. “I’ve always loved the local, its intimacy and camaraderie…I feel that the truest ‘Goin’ Local’ is the privilege to go inside my own head and hear how I sound to me,” Kaye said of the track.

Hear “Goin’ Local,” the title track from Lenny Kaye’s forthcoming debut solo album:

Lenny Kaye will soon hit the road with Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore as the outlaw country musicians’ special guest. Kaye also has several dates with Patti Smith on the books.

1. Goin’ Local
2. This Love
3. If I Were You
4. Let’s Make a Memory
5. A Friend Like You
6. Be That As It May (May Day)
7. Solstice
8. World Book Night
9. Pennsylvania Girls
10. Poppy
11. The Things You Leave Behind
12. Yes I Will