Sarah Shook Announces New Pete Anderson-Produced “Nightroamer”
Look alive boys and girls, because word just came down about what will be one of the most anticipated albums in independent country in 2022. The punk-infused and honky-tonk heavy outfit from North Carolina called Sarah Shook and the Disarmers have let it be known that February 18th will be the delivery date for their highly-anticipated 3rd album called Nightroamer.
Produced by long-time Dwight Yoakam producer and guitar player Pete Anderson, Nightroamer is said to be a slightly more expansive work compared to Sarah Shook’s previous albums. It also brings Shook full circle in some respects, since one of her early signature songs is called “Dwight Yoakam.”
“I think this record is different than ones we’ve done in the past,” she says. “It feels every bit as expansive as I wanted it to feel. I didn’t want there to be a shocking, jarring difference, but I definitely wanted it to feel like things are opening up. It’s a bigger feeling experience.”
Joining Shook on the album will be the nucleus of the Disarmers, which is Aaron Oliva on bass, and Sarah’s long-time right hand man, guitarist Eric Petersen who celebrated 11 years of playing with Shook this Halloween. Well-regarded steel player Adam “Ditch” Kurtz known for his work with American Aquarium and Joshua Ray Walker is also listed as a member of The Disarmers, with steel guitarist Phil Sullivan playing on the new record, as well as Skip Edwards on Organ.
“After the initial writing is done, it’s all collaborative with the band,” Shook says. “There’s no hierarchy. I think that’s part of what gives us a little bit of magic: We all have deep admiration for each other.”
The album comes after some delay due to The Disarmers being swept up in the recent disillusion of Bloodshot Records. Luckily, Thirty Tigers was there to sweep in and sign the band, seeing them for what they are, which is one of the premier bands in independent country that deserves support behind them.
As for what you can expect from Nightroamer, Sarah Shook says, “Where is the handbook for relationships that isn’t just how to keep your man around for 20 years? Where is the offbeat situational relationship handbook? I feel like a lot of what I write is that––and most of the time, I don’t have the answers. I’m just asking the questions that we’re all asking.”
Sarah Shook might seem like she is as lost as the rest of us. But beyond her music, she has been able to find the balance of being an individual in the public eye who can share advice and opinions without coming across as judgy or preachy—something may performers struggle with these days. Hard fought wisdom underpins the Sarah Shook and the Disarmers experience.
“When I talk about mental health issues, recovery, and addiction, it’s because I feel like life is too short to keep the good things we learn along the way to ourselves,” Shook says. “I think we each have a responsibility to share information that can transform lives in a literal, palpable sense.”
The last time Sarah Shook released an album (2018’s Years), it became the Saving Country Music Album of the Year. That would make Nightroamer one to make sure it’s on your radar. Her magnificent aptitude for fetching melodies brought to stories from the failing side of life satisfies a deep appetite for music we never knew we had until she came along, and leaves one memorably more fulfilled than your ordinary music experience to the point of being deemed essential.
Nightroamer is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. Somebody Else
2. Been Lovin’ You
3. If It’s Poison
4. No Mistakes
5. Nightroamer
6. It Doesn’t Change Anything
7. Please Be a Stranger
8. I Got This
9. Believer
10. Talkin’ To Myself
November 4, 2021 @ 8:25 am
now this is good news
November 4, 2021 @ 8:37 am
Just saw similar announcement on Twitter. Looking forward to it. While some songs do have twang, definitely not a country artist. I think she jams.
November 4, 2021 @ 8:56 am
I would consider Sarah Shook and the Disarmers a punk-infused or power pop-infused style of country music. With steel guitar present in the music, a noticable twang to Sarah’s delivery, and songs that deal with broken relationships and broken people, it fits just as much into country as it does any other genre. Is it Mark Chesnutt country? Of course not. A press release went out this morning calling it “indie rock.” I would respectfully disagree, though this opening single is definitely trying to cast a wide net, since it’s one of her few songs without a steel guitar in it.
November 4, 2021 @ 1:15 pm
No argument from me. I almost said in my comment that she might be country the way Jason & The Scorchers were country. Not straight up, but a combo I love. Hence, the Jatsfan in my moniker!
November 5, 2021 @ 7:05 am
Agree about the new song, one of her least country songs, although still fantastic. But I do consider her a country artist. And it’s so odd to me that she is such a great country song writer when she often admits that she doesn’t listen to country music (she has said this many times on Instagram).
November 4, 2021 @ 9:06 am
I really like this young lady, the band has alot of energy. Looking very forward to getting this album.
November 4, 2021 @ 11:11 am
Pete Anderson said in a couple of interviews that he’s working on a book about producing, from the perspective of a musician who becomes a producer. I’m really looking forward to that. Also, any interviews with Peter Anderson are really interesting. He’s obviously best known for his work with Dwight Yoakam but he also worked with a number of other artists in the 90’s and he’s had a lot of interesting stuff to say about that.
November 4, 2021 @ 12:58 pm
I really want to like Sarah Shook, but there is something that just keeps me away. Can’t put my finger on it, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I’m a big alt rock, punk, country fan and I like plenty of folks who have meshed the genres. Who knows! Probably just me, as everyone seems to love her and her band! Good on them. No complaining here.
November 4, 2021 @ 2:53 pm
It’s not just you. I tried to like her. Went to see her with Robbie Fulks opening. He put on an awesome show with great audience patter and then Sarah Shook just seemed boring in comparison. I don’t know why…just doesn’t move me.
November 4, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
Same here. Respect the talent, but just doesn’t do it for me.
November 4, 2021 @ 1:24 pm
Saw them play live for the second time a few weeks ago in Greenville, SC. In 2019 I was blow away by their chemistry and they’ve clearly gotten even better. Although Sarah didn’t hang around the merch table much before/after (prob due to super lax covid venue), I locked eyes with her a couple times when I was singing along to every song and she grinned back at me. I was probably just fanboying but I digress. Took a friend along who isn’t even a fan of country and I think he might’ve had an even better time than me. Go see them
November 4, 2021 @ 1:39 pm
excited, but can’t say this single is doing much for me atm.
November 4, 2021 @ 1:52 pm
I like it, good beat and riff, nice little Petersen break. Got a catchy 60’s rock vibe. Not even worried, I know there will be variety and some twang on the album. The question is when do I pull the plug from over playing this song in a playlist of other misc tracks so as to not get sick of it before Feb? Will power I guess…….but it’s getting tougher.
November 4, 2021 @ 2:07 pm
This single isn’t really what I look for in Sarah Shook & the Disarmers’ music, but I’m no less excited to hear the full album when it lands in February. I will say that the organ made it more enjoyable. I miss the twang though, both from the missing steel guitar and the vocal delivery. I’m okay with variety though, and might have to give this a couple more listens or here it in the context of an album closer in order to appreciate it more.
November 4, 2021 @ 2:16 pm
That song sounds like boring indie rock
November 4, 2021 @ 2:47 pm
If that’s the last track on the album, that bodes pretty well for the quality of the rest of it.
Sound is a little different, but I expect great things.
She was supposed to play a venue in my city a week or two ago but cancelled. I was pretty bummed. Hopefully she reschedules.
November 4, 2021 @ 3:07 pm
I love Sarah and I have a very narrow definition of country music and usually take a purist stance on what I listen to, but for her I’ll venture out my comfort zone. She’s incredible in concert too. I’m looking forward to this release.
November 4, 2021 @ 5:35 pm
Just one song… I’m diggin’ it. I have the previous albums so I will buy this one when it’s available.
November 4, 2021 @ 9:29 pm
Great news. Big fan of hers and of course of Pete.
November 5, 2021 @ 5:15 am
This song is as country as the latest Kacey Musgraves record. Or that Mickey Guyton pop album.
Florida Georgia Line is more country than this.
November 5, 2021 @ 6:37 am
Yeah if the SONG was highlighted on some indie rock block, I’m not sure the word “country” would even come up. The next question would be if the word “good” would even be included.
November 5, 2021 @ 7:33 am
“Florida Georgia Line is more country than this.”
Okay, now folks have clearly worked themselves up into some sort of weird tizzy about this.
I just saw Sarah Shook and the Diasarmers perform a couple of weeks ago, including multiple new songs from the album. Nothing they did was “less country” than Florida Georgia Line. There was a steel guitar on stage. Adam “Ditch” Kurtz is listed as a new band member in the memo that went out yesterday. There are steel guitar credits on the new album. Oh, and PETE ANDERSON produced it. Sarah Shook has always worked melodic sensibility into her otherwise dark and twangy music. Will the new album be a massive change in direction? We’ll have to see. My guess is they feel like they have the Bloodshot Records crowd in hand, and they released a lead single that they hope will broaden interest from the indie rock crowd. Is it the single I would have released first? Probably not. But I’m not going to be jumping off bridges or making Florida Georgia Line comparisons until I’ve actually heard the album in full. This isn’t some new kid on the block. Sarah Shook and the Disarmers released two killer albums previously.
November 5, 2021 @ 9:43 am
Your recollection of a live show nor who was involved has anything to do with our comments about this song. I’ll try to work myself out of this tizzy though.
November 7, 2021 @ 12:28 pm
Then there’s the notion of country music being an early influence on rock and roll and this is a no frills rock and roll song. Also, not exactly surprising that a song on her upcoming album might be rock and roll, given the rock and roll influences on her previous two albums. And I think it’s fair to say that there’s probably more of an appetite for this type of song amongst the SCM community at large than what Musgraves did on her last album (largely emotionless pop), not to mention fucking Florida Georgia Line. But, you know, it’s not a country song and this site is called Saving Country Music and so this shot is there to be taken.
November 6, 2021 @ 11:42 am
I love Sarah, and this is my most anticipated record for 2022. I really feel a Childers-esque career surge is on the horizon if this record meets expectations. I also won’t shed a tear when the nose ring fad is over.
November 6, 2021 @ 9:53 pm
The new song is totally indie rock rather than country, but I can’t really complain. It sounds good.