No matter how hip we try to appear, we all have some dark corner of our formative years that we try to keep secret from the world. For Chicago experimentalist Ryley Walker, that hidden truth is that one of pop-rock’s most pilloried yet popular superstars, Dave Matthews Band, actually makes up the foundation of his own musical journey. In an attempt to free himself from shame and embrace the validity of his youthful fascination with the group, Walker has announced a full covers album of DMB’s lost 2001 LP, The Lillywhite Sessions.
Recorded between 1999 and 2000, the sessions with producer Steve Lillywhite were intended to serve as DMB’s follow-up to their third full-length, Before These Crowded Streets. However, the band and label decided to shelve the songs — Matthews instead wrote Everyday alongside producer Glen Ballard — until they were leaked via Napster as The Lillywhite Sessions. Many of the songs were later re-recorded for 2002’s Busted Stuff.
Now, Walker is revisiting the bootleg album with his own unique sensibilities. His version of The Lillywhite Sessions is a “powerful, heartfelt meditation on the twists and turns of an individual’s musical journey across a life of enthusiastic and curious listening,” according to a press release. Walker has rearranged the songs in his own jazz-tinged and breathy interpretations alongside frequent collaborators Andrew Scott Young and Ryan Jewell. The results suggest perhaps Matthews’ songwriting deserves more credit than tastemakers give it. (DMB did just score a record-setting seventh consecutive No. 1 record with Come Tomorrow, after all.)
As a first listen to his version of The Lillywhite Sessions, Walker has shared his flittering rendition of opener “Busted Stuff”. Check it out below.
Due out November 16th via Dead Oceans, The Lillywhite Sessions follows Walker’s May full-length release, Deafman Glance. Pre-orders are available now, while the tracklist and album art are below.
The Lillywhite Sessions Artwork:
The Lillywhite Sessions Tracklist:
01. Busted Stuff
02. Grey Street
03. Diggin’ A Ditch
04. Sweet Up And Down
05. JTR
06. Big Eyed Fish
07. Grace Is Gone
08. Captain
09. Bartender
10. Monkey Man
11. Kit Kat Jam
12. Raven
With so much new music support, Walker has a huge tour schedule set for the rest of the year. Find his itinerary below.
Ryley Walker 2018 Tour Dates:
09/24 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar ^
09/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall ^
09/26 – Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern ^
09/27 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Gardens – Great Escape Series
09/28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court ^
09/29 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall ^
09/30 – Fort Collins, CO @ Downtown Artery ^
10/02 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown ^
10/03 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Total Drag ^
10/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry ^
10/05 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon ^
10/06 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Backroom @ Colectivo ^
11/06 – Berlin, DE @ Frannz Club
11/07 – Aarhus, DK @ Atlas
11/08 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
11/09 – Wangels, DE @ Rolling Stone Weekender
11/10 – Utrecht, NL @ Le Guess Who? &
11/10 – Groningen, NL @ ROCKIT Festival
11/11 – Kortrijk, Be @ Sonic City Festival
11/12 – Middelburg, NL @ Kloveniersdoelen
11/13 – Brussels, Be @ Botanique *
11/14 – Köln, DE @ Artheater *
11/15 – Bern, CH @ ISC Club *
11/16 – Zurich, CH @ Bogen F *
11/17 – Rust, DE @ Rolling Stone Park
11/19 – Barcelona, ES @ Sidecar *
11/20 – Madrid, ES @ El Intruso *
11/21 – Sevilla, ES @ Sala X *
11/22 – Lisbon, PT @ ZDB *
11/24 – San Sebastian, ES @ Badabada *
11/25 – Limoges, FR @ Le Phare
11/26 – Lille, FR @ Le Bar Bulle de la Maison Folie Moulins
11/27 – London, UK @ Scala *
11/28 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece *
11/29 – Manchester, UK @ Band On The Wall *
11/30 – Brighton, UK @ The Old Market *
12/1 – Paris, FR @ Point Ephemere *
12/2 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord *
12/5 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College Recital Hall #
12/6 – Detroit, MI @ El Club #
12/7 – Toronto, ON @ Baby G #
12/8 – Montreal, QC @ L’Esco #
12/9 – Portland, ME @ SPACE Gallery #
12/10 – Greenfield, MA @ Root Cellar #
12/11 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott #
12/12 – Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre #
12/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle #
12/14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right #
12/15 – Montclair, NJ @ Outpost In The Burbs #
12/16 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd #
12/17 – Charlottesville, VA – Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
12/18 – Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light #
12/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn #
12/20 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement #
12/21 – Indianapolis, IN @ White Rabbit Cabaret #
12/28 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle %
^ = w/ Health&Beauty
* = w/ Andrew Tuttle
& = collaborative set with Kikagaku Moyo
# = w/ Mute Duo
% = w/ Ohmme and Ben Lamar Gay
