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Russell Dickerson's New EP 'Bones'
22nd August 2024
Written by: Nikki Blackburn
Here's what to expect in the new release, coming out next Friday!
Russell Dickerson is set to release his new EP, Bones on August 30th, hot on the heels of the release of the five-song collection’s title track, which was released last month. Sonically, the EP is everything you’d expect – and want - from Dickerson’s particular blend of high-octane country-pop but there’s a real sense of quiet reflection that’s the real through-line linking these songs together. Dickerson has described these songs as “an ode to the people and relationships that shaped him” into the man he is today. You get a real sense not just of Dickerson’s artistry, but of who he is as a man, a grandson, a husband, father and friend.
The EP opens up with ‘What A Life,’ an upbeat, foot-tapping, country as hell sounding celebration of Dickerson’s upbringing in his native Tennessee and the early days of meeting his wife. “They say everybody dies, but not everybody lives, but damn we sure did.” The song perfectly sets the listener up for the wistful, reminiscing journey they’re about to go on with an artist well known for telling a story with his lyrics.
Next up is the already-released ‘Bones,’ which while still set to a country pop beat, also has a slightly gothic feel in its imagery as Dickerson recounts the love story he’s shared with his wife of over ten years. From the very first night he met her, “yeah, girl, I felt it in my bones,” to the moment he went down on one knee, “shaking right down to my bones.” The chorus doubles down on the imagery as he croons about his “long as I’m livin,’ I ain’t quittin’ kind of love. “Yeah, I'll love ya 'til I'm six feet down in the ground, and the gold on my finger's wrapped around nothin' but bones.”
‘Miss You So (Letters to You)’ tells the story of finding an old mix tape CD from a long-forgotten love and firing it up for old time’s sake and reminiscing as the first song plays. I believe the song in question is 2008’s ‘Letters to You’ by American alt rock band, Finch (not country, but definitely worth a listen).
“We had some good old times back in them good old days, back then it hurt like hell but now I smile while it plays. I want you to know that I miss you, I miss you so.” It’s a story told in many a good country song (and some of the bad ones too, but this is definitely the former) and the trope is used to compelling effect here. Coupled with Dickerson’s earnest delivery, it sits well within this collection of songs.
The reflective theme continues into ‘Those Nights These Days’ where Dickerson is thinking back fondly and reminiscing on his younger days back in Tennessee: “I haven’t heard from the boys back home in a minute, ‘cause time did what it does and our lives went a little bit different. Somethin’ bout this back porch buzz got the memories hittin’, we had the world in our hands, why’d it have to start spinnin?” At 37, Dickerson’s obviously still in his prime, but it’s a song that’s definitely relatable for anyone that’s matured beyond their carefree teenage days into adulthood. Russell and his wife now have a three-year-old and an infant in their household; I can’t relate personally, but if I had two small kids running around my house, I think I’d be dreaming about beers on the back porch with the boys too (no offence to any parents reading this).
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The EP closes out with ‘Cold Beer Conversation,’ which is the only acoustic song in the collection. Here, Dickerson speaks of how many significant conversations have been had over a cold beer: with his grandfather, his friends, his wife. “Cracking a can with my old man’s old man, tellin’ me all about the first time he held grandma’s hand. Six pack of something,’ sit back and sip it, do a little less talkin’ and a lot more listenin.’” It’s a quietly thoughtful and reflective song that makes for a fine way to close out a really solid EP of music.
Speaking of the EP as a whole, Dickerson said: “Bones, is a nostalgic collection of songs that take me back in time to some of the best times of my life. Those nights that you don’t want to end, with the people you love most. Relationships that didn’t work out which hurt at the time but turned out for the best. I hope people hear these songs and get transported to a place with people they love.” From this writer’s perspective – and as someone who was previously unfamiliar with Dickerson’s music - I can safely say, mission accomplished, Russell.
Russell has co-written each of the five songs in collaboration with some of the genre’s most talented songwriters for this EP, track list below.
Bones Track List:
1. What A Life
(Russell Dickerson, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps)
2. Bones
(Russell Dickerson, Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte, Parker Welling)
3. Miss You So (Letters To You)
(Russell Dickerson, Seth Ennis, Joe Fox, Alejandro Linares, Alexander James Pappas, Derek Thomas Doherty, Nathan Scot Barcalow, William Strohmeyer Jr)
4. Those Nights These Days
(Russell Dickerson, Seth Ennis, Jordan Reynolds)
5. Cold Beer Conversation (Acoustic)
(Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Ryan Hurd, Brad Tursi)
Russell’s ‘Good Day To Have A Great UK Tour,' starts in Belfast, Northern Ireland on August 23rd before continuing on to Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, London and Leicestershire for The Long Road Festival.
Tickets are available here with the dates as follows:
August 23rd - Belfast, UK - Ulster Hall
August 25th - Lutterworth, UK - The Long Road Festival
August 26th - Glasgow, UK - The Old Fruitmarket
August 27th - Manchester, UK - O2 Ritz
August 29th - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
August 30th - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town
Tickets are on-sale now! From listening to this EP...it's a show not to be missed!
Ticket
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