Esther Rose has announced Safe 2 Run (versions), an EP featuring stripped-down versions of three songs from this year’s great Safe to Run–with appearances by The Deslondes, Bella White, and The Lostines–plus one new song, “Ketamine.” It arrives on January 9 via New West Records (pre-save).
“I am in the club standing directly before the solo songwriter on stage, absorbing everything. I think, ‘I live for stripped-down performances. Why don’t I record my own music this way?,'” Esther says. “I tapped my musical family; people whose voices bring me home and stoke the fire of my now long-distance relationship with New Orleans. Singing ‘Safe to Run’ with The Deslondes sounds like how a big hug feels. This version of ‘Spider’ with The Lostines is truly haunted. Bella White is twenty-three years old and is perhaps the embodiment of the song ‘Chet Baker.’ Alone at my desk each morning, I have slowly written my next album. Things are getting very interesting. ‘Ketamine’ is a taste of what’s to come.”
We’re premiering the new stripped-down version of Safe to Run‘s title track, which features The Deslondes, and which sounds great in this gorgeously simplistic form. Riley Downing of The Deslondes says, “We had just ended our little tour through Texas and Louisiana with Esther. Just one little run of many we have done together over the years. Nobody would ever believe it, but she was actually resting her head on my chest while I was singing some of it. Ha, Ha. It was pretty magical. I’m excited for the world to hear these new versions of these songs. There’s more surprise guest harmonies to come as well.”
Listen:
Tracklist
1. Chet Baker (featuring Bella White)
2. Safe to Run (featuring The Deslondes)
3. Spider (featuring The Lostines)
4. Ketamine
Esther Rose — 2023/2024 Tour Dates
Dec 28 Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroot (Max Gomez and Friends Holiday Concert)
Dec 29 Taos, NM @ TCA (Max Gomez and Friends Holiday Concert)
Dec 30 Los Alamos, NM @ Fuller Lodge (Max Gomez and Friends Holiday Concert)
Jan 10 Venice, CA @ Venice West (supporting Chaparelle)
Jan 11 Santa Cruz, CA Moe’s Alley (supporting Chaparelle)
Jan 12 Santa Barbara, CA SOhO (supporting Chaparelle)
Chaparelle = Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Bedford