LINDI ORTEGA’S “AMBITIOUS” (ROLLING STONE) INSTRUMENTAL ‘LIBERTY: PIANO SONGBOOK’ AVAILABLE NOW

12-TRACK INSTRUMENTAL RECORD FEATURES ROBBIE CROWELL (KESHA, MIDLAND, DEER TICK) ON PIANO

THE LONGEST ROAD TOUR DATES BEGIN FEBRUARY 5

STREAM LIBERTY : PIANO SONGBOOK HERE

PHOTO CREDIT : Kate Nutt // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

In March 2018, Lindi Ortega debuted a “triumphant” (The Guardian), three-part ‘Liberty’ album, which was a “deeply endearing” (VICE noisey) cinematic exploration of American culture. Now, Lindi Ortega introduces a purely instrumental ‘Liberty: Piano Songbook,’ out today, Fri., Jan. 25. 

Armed with vocals that have been compared to artists ranging from Dolly Parton and Lana Del Rey to Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin, Lindi’s signature croon is obviously absent in the music — encouraging the listener to dive into the real, raw emotion of the album itself. 

With the help of ‘Liberty’ (3.30.18) producer Skyler Wilson, Ortega pulls 12 of the original album’s 15 tracks and reimagines them with the help of multi-instrumentalist Robbie Crowell (Kesha, Midland). While Ortega does play piano, having another musician record 'Liberty: Piano Songbook' allowed her the critical distance to enjoy her songs as a listener, free of the self-critical ear artists typically bring to their own work.

Ortega spent last year sharing bills with Jason Isbell and Asleep at the Wheel, and she'll will kick off a North American tour on Fri. Feb. 5 at Centre in the Square in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. For tickets and more info, visit lindiortega.com. 

LIBERTY: PIANO SONGBOOK TRACKLIST:

1. Afraid of the Dark
2. You Ain’t Foolin’ Me
3. Til My Dyin Day
4. Nothings Impossible
5. The Comeback Kid
6. Darkness Be Gone
7. Forever Blue
8. In The Clear
9. Pablo
10. Lovers In Love
11. Liberty
12. Gracias a la Vida

LINDI ORTEGA ON TOUR: 
Tues., Feb. 5 / Centre in the Square / Kitchener, ON, Canada
Wed., Feb. 6 / Algonquin Commons Theatre / Ottawa, ON, Canada
Thurs., Feb. 7 / New Vision United Church / Hamilton, ON, Canada
Fri., Feb. 8 / London Music Hall / London, ON, Canada 
Sat., Feb. 9 / Phoenix Concert Theatre / Toronto, ON, Canada 
Sat., Feb. 16 / Hopkins Center for the Arts / Hopkins, MN, US
Fri., Mar. 15 / Neptune Theatre / Seattle, WA, US
Sat., Mar. 16 / Alberta Rose Theatre / Portland, OR, US
Sun., Mar. 17 / John G. She’d Institute for the Arts / Eugene, OR, US
Mon., Mar. 18 / Sofia Center for the Arts / Sacramento, CA, US
Tue., Mar. 19 / Freight & Salvage Coffee House / Berkeley, CA, US
Wed., Mar. 20 / HopMonk Tavern / Novato, CA, US
Fri., Apr. 26 - Sun., Apr. 29 / MerleFest 2019 / Wilkesboro, NC, US

LINDI ORTEGA ONLINE
WEBSITE
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

LINDI ORTEGA ANNOUNCES LIBERTY : PIANO SONGBOOK, SHARES NEW TRACK

LINDI ORTEGA CONTINUES TO EXPLORE DARKNESS AND VULNERABILITIES ON
LIBERTY: PIANO SONGBOOK DUE JANUARY 25

12-TRACK INSTRUMENTAL RECORD FEATURES ROBBIE CROWELL (KESHA, MIDLAND, DEER TICK) ON PIANO

LISTEN AND SHARE “IN THE CLEAR” HERE

LONGEST ROAD TOUR DATES BEGIN FEBRUARY 5

PHOTO CREDIT : Kate Nutt // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Following a widely acclaimed Liberty, Lindi Ortega returns with an entirely instrumental version of the 12-track “cinematic journey" (NPR Weekend Edition) on January 25 titled Liberty: Piano Songbook.

“I didn’t feel like I was quite done with Liberty,” Ortega says. “I didn’t want to write a full sequel, but it needed something else. This seemed like a logical next step to take.”

LISTEN AND SHARE “IN THE CLEAR” HERE

In March 2018, Ortega released Liberty, a record that draws on the epic work of Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone, who became one of Ortega’s musical obsessions during the writing and recording of Liberty. She enlisted Nashville producer Skylar Wilson (Joshua Hedley, Justin Townes Earle, Rayland Baxter) when she discovered their shared passion for Quentin Tarantino movies.

Following the release, Ortega and Wilson developed the concept for the Liberty: Piano Songbook with multi-instrumentalist Robbie Crowell (Kesha, Midland, Deer Tick), who had previously played with Ortega, recording the solo arrangements at Creative Workshops in Nashville. The fresh versions of these songs transform them, moving away from the spaghetti-Western production while maintaining a cinematic tone that musically complements the lyrical themes of Liberty.

“I created Liberty for people going through a struggle,” says Ortega, who wrote the songs out of her own vulnerabilities, including self-image issues. “I wanted to extend that with the Liberty: Piano Songbook, and I hope it adds an extra soothing element.”

While Ortega does play piano, having another musician record Liberty: Piano Songbook allowed her the critical distance to enjoy her songs as a listener, free of the self-critical ear artists typically bring to their own work.

“I find myself appreciating the melodies,” she says. “I can pay attention to them when I’m not having to pay attention to what my voice is like or how I’m singing.”

Ortega staged a North American and European headlining tour in 2018, and also toured with Jason Isbell and Asleep at the Wheel. In August, she released Liberty: Parkhill Sessions, recorded at the Parkhill Studios in Calgary, Alberta. The EP featured stripped-down versions of three Liberty songs — “The Comeback Kid”, “Forever Blue”, and “Lovers in Love”, recast as a duet with Corb Lund.

In February, Ortega will hit the road in Canada with Terra Lightfoot, Begonia, and a wide range of special guests for The Longest Road Tour. Full tour dates can be found below. For tickets and more information, visit lindiortega.com/tour

PRAISE FOR LIBERTY

"a reflection of American culture" - NPR All Songs Considered

"a triumphant curio" - The Guardian

"high-plains drama" - Pitchfork

"deeply endearing" - VICE NOISEY

"Impossible to ignore" - Rolling Stone Country

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

LIBERTY: PIANO SONGBOOK TRACKLIST
1. Afraid of the Dark
2. You Ain’t Foolin’ Me
3. Til My Dyin Day
4. Nothings Impossible
5. The Comeback Kid
6. Darkness Be Gone
7. Forever Blue
8. In The Clear
9. Pablo
10. Lovers In Love
11. Liberty
12. Gracias a la Vida

LINDI ORTEGA ON TOUR:
Feb. 5 / Centre in the Square / Kitchener, ON
Feb. 6 / Algonquin Commons Theatre / Ottawa, ON
Feb. 7 / New Vision United Church / Hamilton, ON
Feb. 8 / London Music Hall / London, ON
Feb. 9 / Phoenix Concert Theatre / Toronto, ON
Feb. 16 / Hopkins Center for the Arts / Hopkins, MN
Mar. 15 / Neptune Theatre / Seattle, WA
Mar. 16 / Alberta Rose Theatre / Portland, OR
Mar. 17 / John G. She’d Institute for the Arts / Eugene, OR
Mar. 18 / Sofia Center for the Arts / Sacramento, CA
Mar. 19 / Freight & Salvage Coffee House / Berkeley, CA
Mar. 20 / HopMonk Tavern / Novato, CA
Apr. 26 - Sun., Apr. 29 / MerleFest 2019 / Wilkesboro, NC

LINDI ORTEGA ONLINE
WEBSITE
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

THE LONGEST ROAD SHOW FEATURING TERRA LIGHTFOOT, LINDI ORTEGA & BEGONIA

COMING FEBRUARY 2019, NEW TRIPLE-THREAT TOUR, THE LONGEST ROAD SHOW, FEATURES TERRA LIGHTFOOT, LINDI ORTEGA & BEGONIA

TOUR DATES BEGIN FEBRUARY 5

Heat, pressure and endurance. It’s how coal becomes diamond, and how character and talent are developed and revealed. That kind of dedication is a badge of honour among touring musicians, who come to find beauty in it.

A concert event like no other, The Longest Road Show celebrates the amazing talents that arise from the endless miles of touring, and a journey of discovery for performers and audience alike. Spotlighting a killer lineup of road-tested musical artists — a bill co-headlined by Terra Lightfoot, Lindi Ortega, and Begonia — The Longest Road Show will wind its way through major markets across Ontario in February 2019. Tickets go on sale as of 10am Friday November 23. Full tour dates can be found below.

Each night on The Longest Road Show will feature these stellar artists performing in a showcase format. Every concert features the backing of the Longest Road rhythm section (bassist Anna Ruddick and drummer Michelle Josef), plus special marquee and local guests. And each show will be a medley of intermingled performances, with an intermission mid-way. Arrive for door time, get comfortable, and prepare to discover new favourite musicians as you enjoy a collaborative concert experience unique to your town.

The Longest Road Show is produced in conjunction with Sonic Unyon and LiveNation Entertainment, sponsored by Exclaim!, and benefitting Women in Music Canada, MusiCounts, YWCA Canada, and Girls Rock Camp.

THE LONGEST ROAD SHOW DATES
Feb 5 • Kitchener, ON • Centre in the Square  [ TICKETS ]
Feb 6 • Ottawa, ON • Algonquin Theatre [ TICKETS ]
Feb 7 • Hamilton, ON • New Vision United Church [ TICKETS ]
Feb 8 • London, ON • London Music Hall [ TICKETS ]
Feb 9 • Toronto, ON • Phoenix Concert Theatre [ TICKETS ]

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES POSTER HERE

ABOUT TERRA LIGHTFOOT
Terra Lightfoot is a ferocious talent. Shot through with the guitarist-vocalist’s powerful, bluesy soul, vivid lyrics and six-string virtuosity, her latest full-length, New Mistakes, has thrilled audiences and earned critical praise from around the globe, including the likes of No Depression, Pop Matters, Guitar Player, Twangville, The Boot and CBC Music. Lightfoot released her self-titled debut album in 2011; its critically acclaimed follow-up, 2015’s Every Time My Mind Runs Wild, marked the artist’s arrival as a striking songwriter and compelling live performer. 2017 brought two new albums: the orchestral collaboration Live in Concert and her third studio album, New Mistakes – the latter nominated for Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the 2018 JUNO Awards and long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize.  

TERRA LIGHTFOOT ONLINE
WEBSITE / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

MEDIA MATERIALS HERE

ABOUT LINDI ORTEGA

Lindi Ortega gives fair warning: “Don’t come any closer to my heart /If you’re afraid of the dark.” However, that shroud is slowly lifted in Liberty. As the narrative unfolds in this concept album, a central character emerges – one who finally sheds the darkness of her past and emerges into the light. The melodies and arrangements of Liberty draw on the epic work of Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone, who became one of Ortega’s musical obsessions during the writing and recording of Liberty. During the sessions at Battle Tapes studio in East Nashville, Ortega and producer Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle, Rayland Baxter) scaled back the boot-stomping, throwback country approach that she’s known for, instead polishing a set of music that reflects her Mexican-Irish lineage. It is fitting that NPR’s All Things Considered has described Ortega as “genre-defying in both her music and her personal style.”

LINDI ORTEGA ONLINE
WEBSITE / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

MEDIA MATERIALS HERE

ABOUT BEGONIA
Begonia’s Alexa Dirks has never been able to fit into the box of being a "conventional woman". “I’m loud, I’m awkward and I’ve always taken up space. I've done things my whole life that some people would tell me weren't appropriate 'for a girl'.” That narrative that once tore Dirks down is now what empowers her to take charge of her own story, in her own way. Winnipeg-based Dirks is a Juno Award winner with her former group Chic Gamine. While she thrived off of the collaboration, once the band broke up she knew she was ready to go solo. As Begonia, Dirks is bold, brazen with her florid, surprising pop that is tempered with sensitivity and wisdom. Her 2017 debut EP, Lady in Mind, was listed on NPR’s 10 Artists You Need to Know and the track “Juniper” reached #1 on the CBC Music Charts. Dirks’ intimate lyrics and audacious pop style sound allows for her audience to relate to the messiness of life with an honesty that is refreshing.

BEGONIA ONLINE
WEBSITE / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

MEDIA MATERIALS HERE

We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters. Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada. We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Departmenmt of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund). This project is made possible with the support of Ontario Creates. We also acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council.