LISTEN AND SHARE “THE SALESMAN” HERE
JUNO AWARD WINNING MUSICIANS PHARIS & JASON ROMERO RETURN WITH SWEET OLD RELIGION, OUT MAY 18
TOUR DATES BEGIN MAY 11
PRE-ORDER SWEET OLD RELIGION HERE
PHOTO CREDIT : Rick Magnell // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
Today, JUNO Award winning duo Pharis & Jason Romero are sharing a new track from their upcoming album, Sweet Old Religion, due out May 18. “The Salesman” is about “a hope for a future less cluttered by consumerism, and more enrobed in love and acceptance for one’s fellow humans,” says Pharis Romero. “Written after a summer of wildfires, friends talking about moving back to the land, and listening to The Band.” The song saw its national broadcast premiere yesterday via CBC’s q.
LISTEN AND SHARE “THE SALESMAN” HERE
With their new album, Sweet Old Religion, Pharis & Jason Romero return, literally, from the ashes. Since the release of their last album, the JUNO Award winning A Wanderer I’ll Stay, the musicians and celebrated instrument makers at J. Romero Banjo Co. had taken a year-long sabbatical from touring and recording to welcome their second child, build some banjos, and tear down their house in Horsefly, BC, to build a new one with the help of their local and extended community. But, as they worked to build their new home a fire came in the night to claim their workshop. The Romeros found themselves surrounded by the community that came to support them. This experience, and their growing sense of gratitude would soon be connected and drawn together through music, becoming Sweet Old Religion, Pharis & Jason’s first album made up of entirely original songs.
WATCH AND SHARE “SWEET OLD RELIGION”
Having been together for a decade, making music together, working together, and parenting together, the Romeros are at their strongest and most free on Sweet Old Religion. In keeping with their handcrafted and homemade family business disposition, Pharis and Jason sought to make as much of the album live in their home as possible. Turning one side of their reconstructed instrument shop into a studio, they recorded with engineer John Raham and producer Marc Jenkins. The album also features Patrick Metzger on bass, John Reischman on mandolin, Josh Rabie on fiddle, and Raham and Jenkins joining them on drums and pedal steel.
Musically, Sweet Old Religion carries a wide spread of influences, spanning from early 1920s jazz, blues, and country to 1960s songwriters like Levon Helm and The Band. The album also features songs inspired by their deep love of old music and rural life, with archaic banjo tunings where Jason moves between several of his own handmade instruments to bring out unique tones for each song.
Now, Pharis & Jason Romero are back on the road, with a new workshop, a mostly finished house, and two kids running across the fields. The songs on Sweet Old Religion sparkle like stars. Together they form a constellation that tells an ancient and archetypal story visible to anyone who looks up at the sky on a summer night. And to all those who listen it whispers down below: “Slow down, dig deep, and love your neighbour.”
SWEET OLD RELIGION TRACKLIST
1. Sweet Old Religion
2. Stitch In Time
3. Salt & Powder
4. Old World Style
5. Age Old Dream
6. The Salesman
7. You Are a Shining Light
8. You are The Best Thing
9. Leave the Garden Gate Open
10. Come on Love
11. Babes, Mothers & Fathers
TOUR DATES
May 11 - Duncan, BC - Cowichan Performing Arts Centre
May 12 - Salt Spring Island, BC - PitchFork Concerts
May 13 - Victoria, BC - Upstairs Cabaret
May 17-18 - Vancouver, BC - Rogue Folk Club
May 20 - Bowen Island, BC - TBA
Jun 25-30 - Port Townsend, BC - Voice Works
Aug 3-5 - Stony Plain, AB - Blueberry Bluegrass Festival
Aug 20-25 - Sorrento, BC - Nimble Fingers Bluegrass & Old Time Festival