“Little Things”
June 30, 2015
MALIAN GUITARIST VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ TEAMS WITH AMERICAN VOCALIST JULIA EASTERLIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM TOURISTES VIA SIX DEGREES RECORDS, SEPTEMBER 18
First Single, “Little Things,” Now Streaming: https://soundcloud.com/touristes/little-things-2
North American Tour To Begin Later This Fall
In the summer of 2014, as Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré passed through New York, he got together with American vocalist Julia Easterlin for an impromptu studio session. Though this was the first time the two had met, in that session something divine happened, transcending what each was capable of on their own. Thus their collaboration was born and an entire album project, Touristes, conceived; to examine their respective musical roots and passions together and transform what they find into something entirely new and unique. On September 18, Six Degrees Records will release Touristes, and today the album’s first single, “Little Things,” is available to stream via Soundcloud.
Touristes is composed of original songs created by Vieux and Julia, as well as some distinctive covers, including Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and Fever Ray’s “I’m Not Done.” While each are inspired performers on their own, together they prove themselves kindred spirits in moments of pure beauty, joy, melancholy and magic. They create music equal parts modern and ancient, haunting and playful, subtle and visceral.
Dubbed the “Hendrix of the Sahara”, Vieux – son of the Malian six-string magician Ali Farka Touré – plays “original guitar music of such fluidity, technique, rhythmic invention, and passion, that it is virtually unequaled” (AllMusic). He’s a prolific songwriter and has collaborated with a number of artists, including Dave Matthews, Ry Cooder, Derek Trucks, Lauryn Hill, John Scofield and Israel’s Idan Raichel.
Rising-star vocalist Julia Easterlin uses loops and her beautifully elastic voice to create music that draws freely from influences ranging from jazz, to pop, to gospel and soul. Her musical talents have taken her across the United States and beyond from Lollapalooza to TEDxWomen to SXSW. She has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts in Miami, and while in Havana she collaborated with Cuban performers to premiere a piece at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. More recently, Julia has collaborated with jazz prodigy Kris Bowers and famed dance director Bill T Jones.
Vieux will tour with his band throughout the summer, with the full Touristes tour beginning in the fall. An initial itinerary is below. More dates will be announced soon.
For more information, please visit touristesmusic.com.
Touristes Tracklist
1. Little Things
2. A B’ashiye (It’s Alright)
3. Masters of War
4. I’m Not Done
5. In The Pines
6. The World
7. Took My Brother Down
8. Spark
9. Bamba
10. Apples & Champagne
Vieux Farka Touré North American Tour
July 16
Brooklyn, NY
Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park Bandshell
with special guest Julia Easterlin
August 16
San Francisco, CA
SFJAZZ Center
August 18
Santa Cruz, CA
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
August 20
Sacramento, CA
Harlows
August 21
San Diego, CA
Casbah
August 22
Pasadena, CA
Levitt Pavilion Pasadena
September 12
Austin, TX
Ironwood Hall
with special guest Julia Easterlin
September 13
Tulsa, OK
Guthrie Green
with special guest Julia Easterlin
Touristes North American Tour
September 18
Northampton, MA
Iron Horse
September 19
North Adams, MA
Mass MoCA
September 20
Somerville, MA
Johnny D’s
September 22
South Burlington, VT
Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
September 23
Portsmouth, NH
3S Artspace
September 25
New York, NY
The Iridium
September 26
Baltimore, MD
Creative Alliance
September 27
Washington, D.C.
Howard Theatre
October 1
Toronto, ON
Small World Music Festival
October 2
Chicago, IL
Old Town School of Folk Music
October 3
Minneapolis, MN
Dakota Jazz Club
October 6
Vancouver, BC
The Rickshaw Theatre
October 7
Portland, OR
Doug Fir Lounge
October 9
Seattle, WA
The Crocodile
October 11
San Francisco, CA
Great American Music Hall
