Whirling dervish Andy Frasco has announced his upcoming LP Keep On Keepin’ On will be due out in April on SideOneDummy Records. With a therapeutic helping of rock ‘n roll with pop and Americana roots influence, the album is a powerful musical snapshot of what’s going on with Andy, his band and his fans. A special “Wellness” video trailer for the album has been released, geared towards encouraging fans not to suppress feelings that may be uncomfortable to talk about, and share the good as well as bad things in life.
“We all have things that make us who we are. Some things are just uncomfortable to talk about, so we tend to suppress those feelings because we don’t want our friends and social media followers to look at us as weak. It’s time to speak up about not just the good things in our life but the bad as well. This is who I am.”
“We’re going through a mental health crisis right now,” says Andy Frasco. “Loneliness, depression, suicide, it’s all on the rise. When you’re struggling in the moment, it can feel like you’re the only one, but that’s just not the truth. I wanted to make a record to remind you that you’re not alone.”
The title track combines soul, funk and pop, and empowers the listener through a danceable and catchy track focusing on overcoming negative thoughts and embracing love. Honest, thought-provoking and rhythmically infectious, Frasco’s upcoming project has important conversations while showcasing his talent as a songwriter and performer.
Produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and by former AWOLNATION keyboardist Kenny Carkeet, the LP finds Frasco digging deeper than he’s ever dug before, fusing ecstatic rock and soul with infectious pop and funk as he grapples with the kind of demons he’s spent the better part of his adult life running from. The songs here are blunt in their honesty and unsparing in their self-examination, but they remain, at their core, works of great hope and promise. They’re the work of a man who’s been through the darkest part of the night and, now that dawn is finally breaking, is ready to share his story.
“Making this record helped me accept that I needed therapy in my life,” Frasco explains. “I always used to think I was too proud or too strong to have a therapist, but I realized that was all bullshit. I’m not always the fun, wild guy people see onstage, and it felt like time to talk about who I really am.”
Frasco is also in the midst of his Spring Tour, supporting Big Something, Umphrey’s McGee and Twiddle, as well as standalone shows. Catch him in Ithaca on February 11, Brooklyn February 15 and Buffalo February 18. Full tour dates are below.
Andy Frasco and the U.N. Spring Tour
2/05 – 1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL (with Big Something)
2/06 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something)
2/07 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something)
2/08 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC (with Big Something)
2/09 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA (with Big Something)
2/11 – The Haunt – Ithaca, NY (with Big Something)
2/12 – The Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA (with Big Something)
2/13 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC (with Big Something)
2/14 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA (with Big Something)
2/15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY (with Big Something)
2/18 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY (with Big Something)
2/19 – The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI (with Big Something)
2/20 – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH (with Big Something)
2/21 – The Stache – Grand Rapids, MI (with Big Something)
2/22 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
2/25 – Neurolux – Boise, ID
2/26 – Midtown Ballroom – Bend, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/27 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/28 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/29 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
3/03 – Humboldt Brews – Arcata, CA
3/04 – The Saint – Reno, NV
3/05 – Crazy Horse Saloon – Nevada City, CA
3/06 – Lost on Main – Chico, CA
3/07 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA (supporting Twiddle)
3/19 – Schmiggity’s – Steamboat Springs, CO
3/20 – Boogie at The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, CO
3/21 – Agave – Avon, CO
4/18 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
4/20 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO
4/24 – Sweetwater 420 Festival – Atlanta, GA
4/25 – Winstons – San Diego, CA
5/22 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
5/23 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
5/24 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
6/07 – Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain – Ozark, AR
6/11 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
7/04 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA
July 2 – July 5 – High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA
July 22-26 – FloydFest – Floyd, VA
