Arthur Russell

José González has shared the second taste off his forthcoming album, Vestiges & Claws — scheduled for release February 17 via Mute Records. It will be the Argentinian-Swedish songwriter’s first solo effort since 2007, after spending time collaborating with his band Junip and contributing to various other projects. According to a press release, the new LP includes an array of influences, from ’70s Brazilian productions, to American folk rock and West African desert blues.

In anticipation of the album listen to new single “Leaf Off / The Cave.” Also check out José’s recent cover of Arthur Russell’s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon” while you scope out his 2015 North American tour schedule below.

2015 North American Tour Dates:

4/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4/07 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
4/10 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/12 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
4/13 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
4/14 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
4/16 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
4/18 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
4/21 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
4/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
4/24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
4/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial
4/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
4/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent

Referred to as “the first modern musician” by Nico Muhly, Arthur Russell is the late New York composer whose experimental music ranged from avant-disco to classical cello compositions. Russell influenced a generation of artists to come, including Devendra Banhart who wrote:

I moved to New York because of Arthur Russell — he’s my favorite musician. Over the last two years, I’ve listened to him constantly and have been reading [Tim Lawrence’s 2009 Russell biography] called ‘Hold On to Your Dreams’ about how downtown, experimental, underground disco and classical composition and all those scenes blended together.

That said, enjoy this quality rework of Russell’s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon” by San Francisco-based indie band Geographer. A free download is available here.