Mindy Smith’s New Album Quiet Town Out Today on Compass Records
First Album in Over a Decade Centers Around The Discovery of Her Blue Ridge/Appalachian Mountain Birth Family, Overcoming Adversity, and the Journey Of Conquering Self-Doubt
Grand Ole Opry Confirmed for October 5 and Mountain Stage December 1
Fall Tour Run Kicks Off October 11, 2024 at City Winery in New York City
Nashville, TN – October 4, 2024 – Acclaimed Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and musician Mindy Smith’s highly anticipated new album, Quiet Town, is out today on Compass Records; Listen/purchase here.
Produced and recorded by Neilson Hubbard (Mary Gauthier, Kim Richey, Matthew Perryman Jones) at East Nashville’s Skinny Elephant Recording Studio, Quiet Town is a profound exploration centered around the discovery of her Blue Ridge/Appalachian Mountain-based birth family, overcoming adversity, and the journey of strength, peace, and self-love. The album is the Long Island-reared, Americana award winner’s sixth album and first album in 12 years.
Critical praise for Quiet Town:
“A welcome return!” –Paste
“Smith’s best music has always been modest yet mesmerizing, and Quiet Town proves her gift for such musical alchemy is far from lost.” –No Depression
“The power of her songs comes not from instrumental gymnastics or lyrical pop hooks but rather in the examination of emotional frailty everyone experiences at some point…That’s a rare talent and it shines bright on Quiet Town.” –Twangville
“Beautifully crafted and marked by strong musicianship, it emphasizes her voice…and ability to connect with listeners on both a personal and universal level.” –The 13th Floor
“Sharply observed Americana that bustles along nicely, from the Blue Ridge Mountains via Long Island.” –The Rocking Magpie
“New Music We Love” – Albumism
Smith will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on October 5 for her 17th appearance, followed by her fourth appearance on Mountain Stage December 1. Known for her intimate and engaging live performances, she will embark on the first leg of a U.S. tour in support of the album with stops in City Winery’s in New York City, Boston, Nashville, and Chicago, Portland, ME’s One Longfellow Square, Salt Lake City’s State Room, Vienna’s Jammin Java, and Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic, among others. A complete list of dates is below, with more 2025 dates to be announced; tickets are available here.
In addition to Smith and Hubbard (drums, percussion), Quiet Town also features musicians Lex Price (bass), Will Kimbrough (electric guitar), Danny Mitchell (piano, horns), Megan McCormick (electric guitar), Juan Solorzano (acoustic guitar) with background vocals by Matraca Berg, Park Chisolm, Nickie Conley, Maureen Murphy, K.S. Rhoads, Jodi Seyfried, and Kate York. The album was engineered and mixed by Dylan Alldredge and mastered by Jim DeMain at Yes Master Studios.
Previously released album tracks include: “Jericho,” about the power of love; “Something to Write in Stone,” which explores the sounds of the mountains with the sentiment that tomorrow isn’t promised; and “Quiet Town,” a gentle, reflective song that is part lament and prayer of gratitude for things gone by. Other highlights include: “I’d Rather Be a Bridge,” a plea for compassion and connection; “I Always Will,” a promise of an abiding love that can transcend life’s troubles life; and “Farther Than We Should Have,” co-written with Natalie Hemby and K.S. Rhoads about overcoming the deck stacked against kindred spirits who together trek through a difficult journey and find footing beyond beating the odds; and “Hour of My Departure,” a duet and co-write with longtime writing partner Daniel Tashian.
From her distinctively haunting cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” in 2003 and critically acclaimed 2004 debut, One Moment More, to 2012’s self-titled album, Smith has captivated audiences with her soulful voice and introspective, heartfelt lyrics. Her debut album earned her Americana Music Association’s first Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2004 and an Album of the Year nomination. “I write for one purpose,” offers Smith, “and that’s to figure out how to live in the world I am in.”
Smith’s songs have been covered by Lee Ann Womack (“All His Saints”), Faith Hill (“Come To Jesus”), and Alison Krauss, who recorded “If I Didn’t Know Any Better” for her GRAMMY-winning album, Lonely Runs Both Ways. Smith’s version of the song appears on her album Stupid Love and remains a favorite of Kacey Musgraves, who cites Smith as an influence.
Her songs have been featured in Grey’s Anatomy, numerous HBO, Showtime, CBS, CW, and NBC series, and a Super Bowl ad. She’s also appeared on CBS This Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and Lifetime Television’s Women Rock!
photo credit: Anna-Micaiah Fairlight
Quiet Town Tracklisting:
1.Quiet Town
2. Jacob’s Ladder
3. Every Once In A While
4. Jericho
5. I’d Rather Be A Bridge
6. Peace Eludes Me
7. Something To Write In Stone
8. Farther Than We Should Have
9. Hour Of My Departure (feat. Daniel Tashian)
10. Light Of Mine
11. I Always Will
Mindy Smith Tour Dates
October 5 – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, TN
October 11 – City Winery Loft – New York, NY
October 12 – City Winery Boston – Boston, MA
October 13 – One Longfellow Square – Portland, ME
November 8 – City Winery Nashville – Nashville, TN
November 20 – The Sapphire Room – Garden City, ID
November 21 – The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT
November 23 – Daniel’s Hall of Swallow Hill Music – Denver, CO
November 30 – Jammin Java – Vienna, VA
December 1 – Mountain Stage – Charleston, WV
December 8 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
January 30, 2025 – City Winery Chicago – Chicago, IL
February 1, 2025 – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI
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Robert Kinsler
