Lenny Kaye is known for a lot of things: guitarist in Patti Smith’s band, compiler of the classic garage rock comp Nuggets, rock producer, and more — but one thing he’s never done is release a solo album. At age 79 he’s finally rectifying this: Goin’ Local will be out July 17 via Yep Roc. “I feel like I’m a new artist,” says Kaye. “I think this album will surprise those who think they know me from what I’ve done previously.”
The album features contributions from Patti Smith, Matthew Shipp, Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, The Jayhawks’ John Jackson and multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, T-Bone Burnett, Lucinda Williams). The first single from the album is Goin’ Local‘s title track, which has a bit of nervy Television-style energy to it.
Kaye will be on tour with Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore starting Saturday, April 25 in Easton, MD, and they’ll play NYC’s City Winery on April 29. All dates are listed below.
Goin Local
1. Goin’ Local
2. This Love
3. If I Were You
4. Let’s Make a Memory
5. A Friend Like You
6. Be That As It May (May Day)
7. Solstice
8. World Book Night
9. Pennsylvania Girls
10. Poppy
11. The Things You Leave Behind
12. Yes I Will
Lenny Kaye – 2026 Tour Dates
April 25 – Avalon – Easton, MD*
April 26 – Rams Head – Annapolis, MD*
April 27 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA*
April 29 – City Winery – New York, NY*
April 30 – The Ardmore – Ardmore, PA*
May 2 – Levon Helm Studios – Woodstock, NY*
May 5 – Iron Horse – Northampton, MA*
May 6 – Bull Run – Shirley, MA*
May 8 – 3S Artspace – Portsmouth, NH*
May 9 – Opera House – Bellows Falls, VT*
June 26 – Dex Fest – Carrboro, NC
June 27 – Dex Fest – Carrboro, NC
* with Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore