Austin alt-country artist Carson McHone has announced a covers EP and a headlining summer tour, leading up to her appearance at Merge Records’ 35th anniversary fest. The EP, titled ODES, comes out digitally on July 19 via Merge (with Carson self-releasing the 7″ and features covers of Margo Guryan, Conway Twitty, Arthur Russell, and the MC5. Her cover of Arthur Russell’s “I Couldn’t Say It to Your Face” is out now and it’s a great rendition. Carson says:
“I Couldn’t Say It to Your Face” challenged me. At first I was angry with the speaker, who seemed to be slipping cowardly out the back door. But now my relationship with the song has deepened—that is part of Arthur Russell’s magic. The A part, or choruses, are almost an apology, or at least an explanation, but then the B parts feel more self-righteous—so the song embodies a liminal space. I understand the meaning to be the first step in the process of understanding, perhaps of forgiveness. When I sing it, I am acknowledging that richness, that complexity. The fact that the original was an unreleased demo until it came out posthumously is poignant. Russell was such a prolific artist despite, or perhaps in accordance with, his personal struggles, and his unique sensitivity is so evident and yet also so relatable in his songs. I’m grateful we have access to his work, and this song in particular is a great reminder—people are complicated. I like to think we do what we can.
The cover comes with a video directed by Daniel Romano, who also played on the song (alongside Ian Romano and Tommy Major). Check it out below.
Carson’s tour hits NYC on July 23 at Mercury Lounge with support from Majorette. Tickets are on sale now. All dates are listed below.
https://youtu.be/cfRGxZs7ZqE?si=4UBlH5HWbWq8-P-D
Tracklist
1. It’s Alright Now (Margo Guryan)
2. (Laying Here With) Linda on My Mind (Conway Twitty)
3. I Couldn’t Say It to Your Face (Arthur Russell)
4. The American Ruse (MC5)
Carson McHone — 2024 Tour Dates
May 25 Peterborough, ON – Take Cover Books (duo)
May 29 Montreal, QC – La Sala Rossa*
May 31 Burnstown, ON – Neat Cafe^
Jun 04 Ottawa, ON – The 27 Club*
Jun 05 Hamilton, ON – Into the Abyss*
Jun 06 Toronto, ON – The Monarch Tavern*
Jun 07 St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse Concert Hall*
Jul 19 Saskatoon, SK – Ness Creek Music Festival
Jul 23 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Jul 24 Richmond, VA – Get Tight Lounge
Jul 25 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle (Merge 35)
* w/ Julie Doiron
^ w/ The Outfit