Revered roots music troubadour Seth Walker recently took up residency in New Orleans.
Upon relocating to the Big Easy, the North Carolina-native completed his rounds of the Holy Trinity of southern U.S. music cities.
His journey began in Austin where he fast became a staple of the Texas blues scene.
He’d later shuffle off to Nashville where he’d absorb the cosmopolitan twang of its storytelling tradition.
Clearly, however, it is the influence of his current NOLA home with its funky melting-pot swagger that inspired the gospel-soaked fervor and gritty guitar burn at the core of his latest album, Sky Still Blue, due June 10 from The Royal Potato Family.
Watch the video for Walker’s new single “Trouble (Don’t Want No)” below, and check out his bluesy solo work:
Abetted by producer Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers), Walker revels in the devil-on-my-trail grit and longing blue notes that make this latest collection of 11 songs resonate so convincingly. Yet, as Walker's fans have come to expect, there's always a sweet melody, a turn of phrase wrapped in a wink-and-a-smile or an undeniable hook close at hand.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
"All the moves I've made have been so that I can be around new influences centered around music," Walker says. "I've always loved New Orleans, and it definitely brought back a bit of the rough edge that got a little spit-shined on the albums that I did in Nashville. This one's got some gristle on it, some push and pull, some funky stuff, and some of that Caribbean influence that New Orleans has."
Upcoming Tour Dates 5/14 – Kansas City, MO – Knucklehead’s *w/ Bobby Bare Jr. 5/15 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Mayfest *w/ Paul Thorn 5/16 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler *w/ Joan Osborne 5/17 – Austin, TX – Strange Brew 5/27 – Des Moines, IA – Flying Mango 5/28 – Evanston, IL – Space 5/30 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark 5/31 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s 6/01 – Indianapolis, IN – The Jazz Kitchen 6/12 – San Antonio, TX – Sam’s Burger Joint 6/13 – Fredericksburg, TX – Luckenbach TX Concert Series 6/14 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe 6/20 - New Orleans, LA - Chickie Wah Wah 6/21 - Tallahassee, FL – Bradfordville Blues Club 6/22 - St. Petersburg, FL - Ringside 6/24 – Charlotte, NC – Evening Muse 6/25 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle 6/26 – Greensboro, NC – Blind Tiger 6/27 – Chattanooga, TN – Nightfall Concert Series 6/28 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic 6/29 – Montgomery, AL – Capitol Oyster Bar 7/9 - Beaver, Creek, CO - Beaver Creek Music Exp. 7/10 - Carbondale, CO - Steve's Guitars 7/11 - Evergreeen, CO - Little Bear Saloon 7/12 - Denver, CO - Tuft Theatre
Acoustic Nation is written by Laura B. Whitmore, a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, who has contributed to Parade.com, Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.
