Known for blending dark humor with obvious-once-you-hear-them observations on everyday life, Darrin Bradbury’s songs are both funny and thought-provoking. Today, Bradbury is proud to share his anticipated new album Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, his first for ANTI- Records.
Produced by Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids), Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a collection of contemplative songs that were shaped by Bradbury’s own struggles with depression. Using his unique wit, Bradbury paints a lighthearted perspective on the pressures of life in America. He released two tracks from the album this week, including ‘The Trouble With Time’, a stunning duet featuring Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and fellow Nashvillian Margo Price, and ‘This Too Shall Pass’ via Billboard. Bradbury also announced new U.S. tour dates this week supporting Cory Branan, following October dates with John Moreland; in late November, he will embark on his first European/UK tour in support of Jarrod Dickenson.
In addition to Billboard, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs has garnered national praise from a multitude of outlets that include NPR, Rolling Stone Country, No Depression, Wide Open Country, American Songwriter, Americana UK and The Bluegrass Situation.
A self-described folk satirist, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs highlights Bradbury’s natural gift for storytelling; Bradbury enlisted the help of only one other writer for the entire album—ANTI- label-mate, friend, and fellow esteemed Nashville musician, Jeremy Ivey. The tracking of Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs was completed in a similarly simple way; using the same combo of musicians for every song on the record. Aside from producer Pattengale’s mellotron and vocal contributions and the aforementioned Ivey’s bass and piano playing, only two extra musicians were called to round out the band; Alex Muñoz on additional guitars and Dillon Napier on drums.
The only exception is the lone guest vocalist on the album, modern outlaw country queen and longtime supporter of Bradbury, Margo Price, who adds a somber harmony to ‘The Trouble With Time.’ A country ballad tinged with elements of indie rock, Price’s crystalline vocals compliment Bradbury’s signature sound and plainspoken lyrics. Written with his parents in mind, Bradbury wanted his family to have a ‘go-to’ song to share with their friends – a track that represented his unique songwriting style that, in his own words, “wouldn’t weird them out”.
Price commented, “The first time I heard ‘The Trouble With Time’, I was sitting at my kitchen table. Darrin played it for me and I immediately started to cry. It’s just a great song… who doesn’t want to go back to another time and find somebody they lost. I know I do.”
“When I write, there are things that I want to get away with”, Bradbury says. “I want to get away with the line, ‘I woke up this morning and I got out of bed / Tripped on my pants and fell on my head.’”
Overall, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a beautifully refined version of Darrin Bradbury’s writing; going for broke, connecting the dots, and doing it with blunt honesty that brings it all home.
“If I can get you to take that seriously, and not skip a beat when you listen to it, that’s what I want.”
Darrin Bradbury will be supporting Jarrod Dickenson on his U.K. tour later this year.
Artist’s website: https://darrinbradbury.com/
‘Breakfast’ – official video:
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