New To 4AD: Bartees Strange Releases New Single ‘Heavy Heart’
New To 4AD:
Bartees Strange
New Single ‘Heavy Heart’ Released Today
Debut UK & European Tour This Summer
Bartees Strange has joined the 4AD family and releases his label debut, the single ‘Heavy Heart’, today.
Born in Ipswich, England to a military father and opera-singer mother Bartees Leon Cox Jr. had a peripatetic early childhood before eventually settling in Mustang, Oklahoma. Later, Bartees cut his teeth playing in hardcore bands in Washington D.C. and Brooklyn whilst working in the Barack Obama administration and (eventually) the environmental movement. Since charting a path as a solo artist, Bartees Strange has released two records in quick succession: an EP reimagining songs by The National (Say Goodbye To Pretty Boy, 2020) and his debut album proper Live Forever (2020).
On new song ‘Heavy Heart’, Bartees is letting go of the guilt he has felt for years; guilt for his father’s sacrifices to build a better future for his family; guilt for the recent passing of his grandfather; guilt for the time he spends on tour and away from his partner; guilt for experiencing success while everyone else in his life was suffering after the release of Live Forever during the first year of the pandemic.
Relinquishing those feelings Bartees is hoping to move forward and towards an optimistic future – celebrating the wins even when life can be heavy and hard. The first hint of new music in two years, the single is accompanied by visuals directed by Missy Dabice who places Bartees front and centre. Echoing many of the themes of ‘Heavy Heart’, Bartees also proudly wears his father and grandfather’s clothes as a tribute to them.
Watch the official video for ‘Heavy Heart’ HERE or via the player below.
To coincide with the release of ‘Heavy Heart’ Bartees Strange has also announced details of his debut UK and European headline tour taking place throughout July. See below for the tour dates. Tickets go on sale this Friday 4th March at 10am local time.
Bartees will also be supporting Car Seat Headrest on his US tour beginning later this month. Head to the Bartees Strange website for the full tour schedule.
Bartees Strange UK & European Headline Tour
3 July – WERCHTER, BE, Rock Werchter 2022
4 July – COLOGNE, DE, Helios37
5 July – HAMBURG, DE, Molotow
7 July – BERLIN, DE, Badehaus
9 July – MADRID, ES, Mad Cool Festival 2022
11 July – MUNICH, DE, Milla
12 July – FRIBOURG, CH, Festival Les Georges
13 July – REES-HALDERN, DE, Haldern Pop Bar
14 July – AMSTERDAM, NL, Upstairs @ Paradiso
16 July – LEEDS, GB, Community Room @ Brudenell Social Club
17 July – MANCHESTER, GB, Night & Day Café
19 July – CARDIFF, GB, Clwb Ifor Bach
20 July – BRIGHTON, GB, Patterns
21 July – LONDON, GB, Powerhaus
22 July – SUFFOLK, GB, Latitude Festival
Photo Credit: Luke Piotrowski
BARTEES STRANGE ONLINE
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