Not too long after officially signing to Nettwerk Records, hometown folk heroes and Boston Calling alums The Ballroom Thieves have shared their first single with their new label, giving us “Only Lonely,” another sweeping harmony in the group’s catalogue of acoustic treats.
The song marks the Thieves’ first new music since the release of 2016 sophomore album Deadeye.
While the title of the song suggests a romantic theme (“She is only lonely for you” vocalist Calin Peters utters gently throughout), the tune delves deeper into the dangers of being uncomfortable in your own headspace.
“I think anyone who has struggled with depression, anxiety, or profound loneliness can identify with the idea that sadness is at once a passenger and a conductor,” guitarist Martin Earley says in the press release. “And sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference.”
The Ballroom Thieves don’t have a Boston gig on the schedule at the moment (their closest show is in Northampton on November 30), but with new music comes new tour dates, and the 2018 tour lineups from other acts are already starting to roll in. It’s also worth noting that the trio show up five times on the 2017 Boston Music Awards ballot, nominated for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Deadeye), Live Artist of the Year, Folk Artist of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year (Earley).
Peep the band’s list of final 2017 shows, as well as “Only Lonely,” below.
The Ballroom Thieves 2017 Live Dates:
October 29: Spring Lake, MI – Seven Steps Up Live
November 2: Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
November 3: Davenport, IA – Redstone Room
November 4: Minneapolis, MN – First avenue and 7th Street Entry
November 5: Madison, WI – The Frequency
November 9: Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
November 10: Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga House Shows
November 11: Black Mountain, NC – Pisgah Brewing Company
November 12: Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
November 16: Harrisburg, PA – Abbey Bar, Appalachian Brewing Company
November 17: Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
November 18: Washington, DC – DC9 Nightclub
November 19: Fairfield, CT – FTC StageOne
November 30: Northampton, MA – The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds
December 1: Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
December 2: South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
December 7: Brooklyn, NY – Rough Trade NYC
December 8: Hudson, NY – Club Helsinki
December 9: Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall