aaamusic | On 20, Jan 2011

Hailed by Newsweek for creating a “gorgeous, joyful new sound,” acclaimed singer, songwriter and clawhammer banjo player Abigail Washburn has spent 2009 and 2010 challenging creative boundaries – her timeless roots sound filtered through indie pop – for her third album, City of Refuge. Raw, ethereal and at times lushly orchestrated, City of Refuge unites renowned producer Tucker Martine (the Decemberists, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens) with Washburn’s classic songwriting, striking voice and old-time storytelling aesthetic.

Originally intended as a self-released record for late Summer 2010, City of Refuge won the hearts of Rounder Records and has been rescheduled for January 24, 2011. “Rounder has been wanting to work with Abigail again,” says Rounder president John Virant, whose label released Washburn’s former band, Uncle Earl. “When we heard this beautiful new solo project, we know this was the one.”

An impressive group of musicians and friends joined Abigail in the making of City of Refuge, including songwriting collaborator Kai Welch, guitarist Bill Frisell, fiddler Rayna Gellert, guzheng (the ancient Chinese zither) master Wu Fei, with string arrangements by Jeremy Kittel of the Turtle Island String Quartet. Chris Funk from the Decemberists and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket also appear on the record.

This past summer, Abigail opened a west coast run for Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers before heading to China (her “second home”) where she represented the USA at the World Expo in Shanghai as well as performing in Beijing and other cities in China.

In the fall of 2010, Abigail and her band did a short tour of the US previewing the material from the new record. They will tour extensively in early 2011.

We invite you to check out footage from China and hear three new songs at: www.abigailwashburn.com

ALBUM INFORMATION : City of Refuge
TRACKLISTING:

1. Prelude
2. City of Refuge
3. Bring Me My Queen
4. Chains
5. Ballad of Treason
6. Last Train
7. Burn Thru
8. Corner Girl
9. Dreams of Nectar
10. Devine Bell
11. Bright Morning Stars

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Tucker Martine
Recorded & Mixed at Sanctuary Studios, Nashville, TN and Flora Studios, Portland, OR in early 2010

UK Tour Dates
Tue 25 Jan – Glasgow Celtic Connections
Tickets at www.etickets.celticconnections.com / 0141 353 8000
www.celticconnections.com

Wed 26 Jan – Sheffield The Greystones
Tickets at www.wegottickets.com

Fri 28 Jan – Newcastle Cluny
Tickets at www.ticketweb.co.uk / 0191 2304474
www.jumpinhot.com

Sat 29 Jan – Winchester The Railway Inn
Tickets at www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 771 000
www.railwaylive.co.uk

Sun 30 Jan – Bristol Thekla
www.alt-tickets.co.uk / 0845 413 444

Mon 31 Jan – London Electroacoustic Club @ The Slaughtered Lamb
Tickets at www.wegottickets.com
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 771 000
www.seetickets.com / 0870 264 3333
www.electroacousticclub.com