Billy Strings Attempts to Capture Magic in New Album “Renewal”
What’s for certain is that we’re living in the era of Billy Strings. What this young man and his band are doing right now when they step up to the microphones in municipalities all across the country is other-worldly. You want to compare it to Jimi Hendrix, or The Grateful Dead or Phish in their prime, or perhaps J.D. Crow and The New South when Tony Rice was in the band. But these may not even be apt comparisons. Billy Strings is just that good.
Of course capturing that electric magic in the studio is another matter, just like most any band that works without a net. That’s not to bag on Billy’s recorded output, but it certainly presents a unique challenge, and one he will tackle again with his new record Renewal set to be released on September 24th.
“I called my last record ‘Home,’ and then a few months later that’s where we all got stuck,” says Strings. “Right now, we’re heading back into opening back up, and doing some more touring with real concerts and real shows. Hopefully we can renew everything. I think it’s an interesting word. It reminds me of how every morning is a renewed day and another chance.”
Billy String is one of those few artists who saw his star catch flame during the pandemic, putting on some now legendary streaming shows, and walking away with a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Pairing with producer Jonathan Wilson, he’ll try to keep that momentum going.
“After winning the Grammy, I went into the studio with newfound confidence. And was inspired by Jonathan’s studio and vibe. More than ever before, I trusted myself to experiment and push myself musically … I’ve learned, you’ve just got to let the song do its thing. So that’s what I try to do—write songs and let them come out however they do.”
Billy Strings has a writing credit on 13 of Renewal‘s 16 songs, and he worked with his road band ion banjoist Billy Failing, bassist Royal Masat, and Jarrod Walker on mandolin. He also brought in guests John Mailander on fiddle, and Spencer Cullum Jr. on pedal steel. Though the foundation will still be bluegrass, folks who’ve followed Billy Strings for a while know elements of rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic music will work their way into the mix.
“I listen to this album now and it’s emotional,” Strings says. “I could sit there and tweak it forever, but there’s a point where it’s like building a house of cards. Yeah, I could add an extra tower on top, but it might collapse. I’ve always doubted myself, and I still do, but this album makes me think, ‘Hey, you’re doing all right, kid. You just need to keep going.’”
Renewal is now available for pre-order, and the new song “Fire Line” can be heard below.
TRACK LIST
1. Know It All
2. Secrets
3. Love and Regret
4. Heartbeat of America
5. In The Morning Light
6. This Old World
7. Show Me The Door
8. Hellbender
9. Red Daisy
10. The Fire On My Tongue
11. Nothing’s Working
12. Hide and Seek
13. Ice Bridges
14. Fire Line
15. Running The Route
16. Leaders
July 31, 2021 @ 9:00 am
His performance at Under the Big Sky festival was epic. It was like Pink Floyd bluegrass.
July 31, 2021 @ 4:35 pm
That was a mind-blowing set, even having seen him quite a few times before. We’re seeing a band at the peak of the musical world right now, and it is truly special. The Pink Floyd comparison is interesting – I halfway thought he was going to break into Pigs (Three Different Ones) mid-Wargasm at UTBS.
July 31, 2021 @ 9:57 am
I dont know what “it” is but Billy Strings and his band have it. Their ability to blend genres without watering down their sound is something else.
July 31, 2021 @ 11:38 am
Went and saw Billy and walking out of the show my wife says he just melted my face off. She never says shyt like that.lol
July 31, 2021 @ 3:30 pm
This is going to be epic. Billy is just so talented. Its nice to know we are still living in a age with musical legends. Haven’t seen him live yet, but it will happen.
August 3, 2021 @ 5:52 pm
Billy String’s music renewed my passion for bluegrass. His amazing talent, innovation, and unique style merits comparison to innovative musicians such as Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Jerry Cantrell. It’s refreshing to see so much talent in a band with such an amazingly versatile genre that is all their own and can encompass everything from traditional bluegrass to the unique sound of Tin and Turmoil where it sounds like Dick Dale meets Union Station and Pink Floyd. Even by himself Billy String continues to amaze by playing freestyle with guitar legends such as Tommy Emanuel. I can’t wait to hear the new album !
July 31, 2021 @ 5:43 pm
Very few artists are transformational. That is just too high a bar for most. For Billy, he has crossed that bar. He is a transformational artist in bluegrass. It will be interesting to see what other types of artist enter the hallowed ground of bluegrass because of him.
What Randy Travis & Ricky Skaggs did for country music, what Elvis did for R&R, that is transformational. And Billy is doing the same.
July 31, 2021 @ 5:48 pm
I hope he doesnt sell out to main stream pop country. I remember dust in a baggie first time i heard it i was hooked. Keep raw real and away from main stream and youll live into history
July 31, 2021 @ 5:52 pm
IMO, Strings is the crossover superstar that will help drive attention from younger audiences – if he reaches the level he is fully capable of.
Really interested in the headspace he was in for this one – assuming “Wargasm” was any indication.
I’m set to see him in August and couldn’t be more stoked. Before COVID shut everything down, he had a run of dates with Isbell and that bill had me considering an added vacation to catch a stop.
July 31, 2021 @ 6:26 pm
Billy reminds me of Frodo.
What he sets out to do, he does exceptionally well.
August 2, 2021 @ 6:29 am
except that the thing frodo does exceptionally is fail – he can only get there due to everyone else, sam especially, and then he decides to keep the ring only for the ring to be destroyed due both his and gollum’s greed.
August 2, 2021 @ 11:13 am
Was thinking about that.
You may be right.
But ultimately, didn’t Frodo succeed?
July 31, 2021 @ 7:25 pm
I stumbled on him at Americanafest in Nashville, a few years back. I had time to kill between other shows at the Cannery. Saw him with about 30 other people and I was hooked after one song. He ran around the stage flipping his hair …and I was hooked on his playing and his unique voice, especially for a kid!!
July 31, 2021 @ 10:00 pm
Billy Strings is am, but I hope this first song (Fire Line) isn’t indicative of the rest of the album.
August 1, 2021 @ 7:44 am
Billy Strings is the purple Haze mountain goat throwing beer cans st ya.. Got’ cha!!
August 2, 2021 @ 3:53 am
That song isn’t very good hopefully the rest is better. Admittedly I’ve never been a big fan. Music is great….but nothing about the vocals and lyrics holds my attention.
August 4, 2021 @ 10:39 pm
I was spellbound listening to Fire Line. Amazing stuff.
Would like to hear some drums in the music, but it is by no means a deal breaker for me.
Quite incredible actually! Another awesome artist I’d know nothing about if it weren’t for SCM!
August 31, 2021 @ 5:25 pm
Will see him live for the first time in December, bought the tickets solely on the reviews and comments I have seen on this site as not real familiar with his music. Hoping to be amazed.