All of my heroes, all the people that did it so well—whether it be George Jones or Willie, Waylon, whoever—they weren’t these museum pieces,” says Canadian singer-songwriter Bob Sumner. “They were always creating something new, something different.” Sumner took his heroes’ creative approach to heart when crafting his upcoming album, Some Place to Rest Easy; a thoughtful reaction to the idea that the only way to honor the genre’s greats is to play music exactly the way they did.
On Some Place to Rest Easy, listeners will hear countrypolitan strings alongside ambient sensibilities; tasteful synth tracks followed seamlessly by numbers with dobro and steel guitar. The result is an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it.
Three of the tunes on Some Place to Rest Easy touch on the loss of multiple loved ones to alcoholism. These losses hold particular weight for Sumner, who left behind his own problematic path with drinking after a serious health diagnosis two years ago. Today, Sumner released “Motel Room” as the album’s leadoff single; a good-time-feeling lament for a friend so close he was considered a brother. “It reminisces about the carefree days of youth when the drinking still held an aura of magic and adventure,” says Sumner. “The chorus, however, confronts the harsh reality of alcoholism. ‘But now you got your 2.6. of Bourbon and your party of one, and you’re drinking alone, and it’s 4 in the morning in a motel room.’”
The feel of the song is groovy and upbeat, though, dotted with dobro, fiddle, and steel guitar; dirt road country revelry that brings a bit of levity to a sad story told. Perhaps Sumner’s brush with addiction is why his approach to the topic is so nuanced. Neither apologetic nor demonizing, he casts light on the outsized pain and impact his loved ones held while they were still here. Yesterday, Americana Highways premiered “Motel Room,” writing, “Bob Sumner’s genuine and weighty songwriting touches on something we can all relate to – looking back at a time in our lives, to what was once such unbridled fun, wondering if we’ll ever get it back again.”
Fans can stream or purchase “Motel Room” today at this link and be sure to pre-save or pre-order Some Place to Rest Easy ahead of its September 6th release on Fluff & Gravy Records (worldwide) and North Country Collective (Canada) right here. Sumner also just announced a trio of tour dates in the Pacific Northwest which can be found below or at bobsumnermusic.com.
Some Place to Rest Easy Tracklist: Bridges Motel Room Don’t We Though You Can Stay Here Forty Years on the Floor Didn’t We Dream Turn You Into Stone Baby I Know Lonesome Sound Familiar Feeling Is It Really Any Wonder Catch Bob Sumner On Tour: Aug. 7 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR Aug. 8 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA Aug. 10 - Fox Cabaret - Vancouver, B.C.
