Over the two-plus decades of their existence as a band, The Sadies have had the honor of collaborating with a number of music greats. They’ve performed with Robyn Hitchock, toured with Neko Case, and backed up Neil Young. In fact, they’re perfectly comfortable supporting the voice of another musician, even when it’s on their own record. Which is why they were thrilled when Kurt Vile agreed to take over vocal duties on their latest single, “It’s Easy (Like Walking)”.
“Kurt did a tour supporting The Sadies about a thousand years ago. We didn’t really know each other before that but we’ve been friends ever since,” the band’s Dallas Good recalls to Consequence of Sound. “We always talked about collaborating one day so I forced his hand by sending him this finished song with a very short deadline attached. He delivered, as he always seems to do.”
“It’s Easy (Like Walking)” musically mirrors the sort of trance a born guitarist can enter while playing their instrument. Strolling strums are caught up in the dreamy plucking that splash around Viles’ voice like the aurora borealis coloring the night sky as he sings, “My left hand’s got a permanent air guitar tick/ But don’t confuse it with a crutch ’cause I like it a lot.”
Take a listen above. The track comes from The Sadies’ forthcoming album, Northern Passages, due out February 10th via Yep Roc Records/Dine Alone.
