Chapel Hill-based jangle rock, pop-noir band The Old Ceremony is set to release their seventh full length album, Earthbound. Recorded at Overdub Lane in Durham, NC, and co-produced by the band and Thom Canova, it features 11 new originals penned by founding member Django Haskins.
Django is also an ongoing member of a troupe touring in tribute to seminal Rock band Big Star for over a decade; organized by Big Star drummer Jody Stephens participants have included Jeff Tweedy, Kurt Vile, Sharon Van Etten, Chris Stamey and all the members of R.E.M. among others.
The Old Ceremony, formed in 2004, have evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from an elaborate eleven-piece mini-orchestra to a streamlined five-piece ensemble. As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, their new record showcases a dynamic range of styles and themes. Songwriter and vocalist/guitarist Django Haskins shines with his sharp, evocative lyrics and engaging melodies.
Whether depicting a dramatic tale of shooting Andy Warhol or a poignant reflection on a long-hidden politician, his storytelling reveals both empathy and precision. His songwriting also echoes the influence of Leonard Cohen, a nod to the band’s namesake.
Earthbound is a deeply personal and collaborative project for The Old Ceremony, emerging from a period of reflection and creativity during the pandemic. The album represents a convergence of individual experiences and collective history, showcasing the band’s evolution over two decades. The band’s extensive touring history includes notable names like Chuck Berry, the Jayhawks, CAKE, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mountain Goats, and many more. In addition to participating in the Big Star tribute tours, Django co-wrote and recorded an album of folk-rock originals with the Jayhawks’ Gary Louris under the name “Au Pair.” With the new album, The Old Ceremony seems poised to add another significant chapter to their story.
“North American Grain,” premiering exclusively on American Blues Scene, is the third single from Earthbound. Capturing a meditative quality, the song is a folk dream emphasizing ethereal melodies and ruminative lyrics – a compelling example of how their latest work continues to expand their musical range.
Of the song, Django tells us:
‘North American Grain’ started as a strange phrase I spotted on a Cheerios box one morning in a half-awake state. It took writing nearly the whole song before I began to understand consciously what I was getting at, but it turns out to be a semi-nostalgic dream about death and time and the impossibility of avoiding calamity, the same stuff I think about in my waking state a lot of the time.
