Coming in hot with a new smooth groovin’, danceable jam, Driftwood’s “Every Which Way but Loose” packs a bittersweet punch in anticipation of their upcoming album, December Last Call.
The Americana folk rockers tell a remorseful story with “Every Which Way but Loose,” a nostalgic track whose relatable, familiar lyrics and resonating guitar tones blend to create a song perfect for a post-breakup karaoke night.
The intro hits with an upbeat tempo with a reeling guitar riff, making way for singer Dan Forsyth’s strong but tender vocals. “I’m drowning already / Brother it’s plain to see / Just send me out to to river /And set me so at ease,” sings Forsyth, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
“When I wrote ‘Every Which Way but Loose,’ I was listening to a lot of Eric Clapton’s Slowhand,” says Forsyth. “I love the production on that album and I would put it on the record player five times a day. There was one song in particular that was resonating with me at the time and I wanted to capture a similar feeling. I wrote it quick but brought it to the band a few years later. Most of the album was recorded when I introduced it, but the recording went down really quick and easy and the fun stuck to tape. So it made the cut.”
The band’s previous single, also the tite track of their new album, “December Last Call,” marked the band’s first release since their 2019 album, Tree of Shade, an album defined by folk-forward vocals and gentle yet playful melodies. Their new album is set to greet listeners March 22nd and promises a record that — if “Every Which Way but Loose” is any indication — will carry listeners from the end of spring into the early days of summer, cultivating a mellow atmosphere perfect for the warm nights ahead.
With their roots in Upstate New York, Forsyth and Joe Kollar (guitar, vocals) have known each other since high school, with violinist Claire Byrne joining the group not long after its formation in 2006, followed shortly after by Joey Arcuri (bass, vocals) and later Sam Fishman (drums).
Driftwood’s long history together creates a cohesive sound that is both comforting and unique with its blend of heart-wrenching guitar and tender banjo, held together by a pleasant and exciting groove that has the ability to make listeners want to get up and dance, portraying the natural ease with which each instrument and musician blends together.
Driftwood is currently on tour from February 10th to May 11th, hitting the Northeast to share their refreshing sound and likely to unveil their new songs.
Driftwood 2024 Tour Dates
February 16 – Thomas, WV – Purple Fiddle
February 17 – Thomas, WV – Purple Fiddle
February 24 – Walton, NY – Walton Theatre
March 1 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios
March 2 – New York, NY – Hill Country Live
March 8 – Syracuse, NY – Funk ‘n Waffles
March 9 – Syracuse, NY – Funk ‘n Waffles
March 21 – Raleigh, NC – Kings
March 22 – Greensboro, NC – Flat Iron
March 23 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse
April 3 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
April 4 – Boston, MA – City Winery Boston
April 5 – Portland, ME – Portland House Of Music and Events (HOME)
April 19 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
April 20 – Albany, NY – Lark Hall
May 2 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
May 3 – Philadelphia, PA – MilkBoy
May 10 – Ithaca, NY – Deep Dive
May 11 – Ithaca, NY – Deep Dive
