Lexington, Kentucky-based bluegrass band NewTown has released a video for “Long Hard Road,” a song about the sharp sting felt after leaving a loved one.
Written by acclaimed songwriter Tyler Childers, “Long Hard Road” tells of the intense longing a couple feels while they are apart, and how the feeling of home can change depending on who’s there. Sung by Kati Penn Williams, the track from NewTown’s latest album Old World shares a relatable story that kept bringing Williams back to the song.
“‘Long Hard Road’ is one of those songs that comes along very few times to a band. It tells such a great story, I think very relatable, and Kati does a fantastic job delivering it,” says Jr. Williams, vocalist and banjo player for NewTown. “We hope everyone enjoys the video as much as we enjoyed making it!”
The video, which The Bluegrass Situation premiered January 16, was filmed by Bo Allen with Bopro Video at The Burl in Lexington, Kentucky.
About NewTown
Fronted by award-winning vocalist/fiddler Kati Penn Williams and her singer/banjo-picker husband, Jr. Williams, NewTown is one of the most exciting acts in contemporary Bluegrass. Formed in 2009, the Lexington, Kentucky-based group features first-rate vocal and instrumental work of musicians who combine individual virtuosity with a background of formal training. While Kati’s singing brings to mind Dale Ann Bradley, Alison Krauss or Lee Ann Womack, her voice is all her own, with a power that challenges the band to keep up with her and a passionate subtlety that breathes emotion into the quietest passages. Meanwhile, Jr. has the similar vocal phrasing of Chris Stapleton with a more rough- around-the- edges Dan Tyminski, or maybe a grittier version of Larry Sparks. They are joined by mandolinist Mitchell Cannon and bassist/vocalist Travis Anderson who have college backgrounds in music and collective decades of performing experience. NewTown has gained a strong following by playing at festivals throughout the U.S., sharing bills with such acts as Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. The ensemble has also opened shows for the John Cowan Band, whose namesake leader says, “Bands like NewTown are not by any means common; they’re not made every day. It takes sweat equity, passion, patience and vision.”
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