Steve Abel Announces New Album + Tour

It's been a long time between drinks, but Auckland alt-folk artist Steve Abel has announced his forthcoming third album Luck/Hope. The eight-song record is Abel's first full-length offering since 2008's Flax Happy, and features contributions from the likes of Jolie Holland, Milan Borich, Gareth Thomas, Buzz Moller, Ed McWilliams and more.

Luck/Hope is slated for release on 5th August via Abel's own Kin'sland Records, and to celebrate he has lined up three album release shows (and word has it there is more to be announced). Check out the details below, and keep your eyes peeled for the release of single 'Best Thing', which comes with a video directed by Florian Habicht that will be premiered here at UTR tomorrow evening...

Steve Abel

Saturday 6th August, Wine Cellar, Auckland
Thursday 18th August, Meow, Wellington
Friday 19th August, Raumati Social Club, Paekakariki

Tickets to the Auckland and Wellington shows will be available HERE at UTR from Friday 15th July

Soak up 'Sidewalk Doves' which Steve unveiled late last year...

PRESS RELEASE:

Steve Abel
Announces release of new album, Luck/Hope
Out August 5th on Kin'sland Records / Arcade Records,
DL, CD & LP
+
Album release shows announced
+
Shares video release date for the single, 'Best Thing'

Alt-folk balladeer and singer-songwriter of the truth, Steve Abel is proud to announce the release of his long-awaited third album: Luck/Hope to be released August 5th 2016 on his own Kin'sland Records via Arcade Records and Rhythmethod and DRM distribution.

Accompanying the news, Abel is set to deliver the video off Luck/Hope for single titled "Best Thing", which follows the earlier single "Sidewalk Doves". The video for "Best Thing" has been created by acclaimed New Zealand film maker, Florian Habicht and will go public on Friday July 15th along with the single becoming an instant grat track on iTunes ore-orders of the album.

The full video goes public on Friday July 15th, 2016 - subscribe to Steve Abel's channel to see!

AUCKLAND
Saturday 6TH August at Wine Cellar
Tickets $15 available from Undertheradar from Friday July 15
Bundle package available with CD or LP

WELLINGTON
Thursday 18TH August at Meow
Tickets $15 available from Undertheradar from Friday July 15
Bundle package available with CD or LP

PAEKAKARIKI
Friday 19TH August at Raumati Social Club
Tickets $15 on the door
- more dates to be announced -

Following a hiatus from releasing musical material to the world, Abel steps out from behind the curtains with this emphatic and moving return. It is Abel's third album, following his universally acclaimed sophomore release, FLAX HAPPY and his unshakeable debut, Little Death described as "a melancholic masterpiece" by Pavement Magazine.

The early sketches of Luck/Hope took place long ago, coming to shape sporadically between the first recording sessions in New York City in November 2009 and the final mastering touches that took place in New Zealand through the winter of 2015.

It has been a long time coming, but now it is here. “Birth, death, debt, day-job, despondency are my poor excuses,” says Abel. “I am exceedingly happy with this album Luck/Hope, it’s got that magic you strive for, thanks to the great players and technicians, and I’m over the moon that it’s finally going out into the world.”

Making the record, Abel worked with an array of fine musicians locally and abroad including previous collaborator Jolie Holland, multi-instrumentalist and engineer Shahzad Ismaily (Bonnie Prince Billie, Yoko Ono, Laurie Anderson), and local musician and engineer Milan Borich. Also featured are Grey Gersten, Geoff Maddock (Goldenhorse), Gareth Thomas (goodshirt), Buzz Moller, Ed McWilliams, Cole Goodly and Mike Hall.