Eric Gabriel often kicks off his songs with a “punchline” and works his way back. In this case, it’s a rental car that “gets you where you need to get” without any commitment.
“Most of my new songs were written right after a hefty cross-country tour, so maybe our Sprinter van was still top of mind,” says the New York City-based singer/songwriter.
“Rent” is the latest single from Gabriel’s upcoming LP, Lucky Day Roadrunner, which boasts an assortment of songs inspired by his travels, including the title track. On a tour stop in Phoenix, a binocular-clad birdwatcher pointed out an elusive roadrunner perched on a curb. “It must be your lucky day,” she noted.
A good-humored, slightly cynical chronicle of a life in motion, Gabriel’s sophomore LP was recorded live by Philip Weinrobe (Adrianne Lenker, Florist) at Sugar Mountain, the producer’s basement studio in Brooklyn. Songs were arranged pretty much on the spot, and the players were encouraged to go with their gut. Of course, it helps when your indie all-star band includes guitarists Meg Duffy (Hand Habits, Kevin Morby, Perfume Genius) and Adam Brisbin (Big Thief, Billie Marten), drummer Sean Mullins (Hannah Cohen, Sam Evian) and bassist Dandy McDowell (Amen Dunes, Rubblebucket).
And about that Sprinter van.
“It got us where we needed to get––except for the time it broke down two hours outside Omaha because the gas station cut the diesel with water,” Gabriel says. “Then we got stranded because the van company hadn’t renewed its AAA.”
We’re proud to premiere Eric Gabriel’s “Rent.” Lucky Day Roadrunner is out May 1.
—Hobart Rowland
