Tennessee alt-country band Lost Dog Street Band have announced a new album, Survived, due April 26 via self-release (distributed by Thirty Tigers). Lost Dog is the husband-and-wife duo of Benjamin Tod and Ashley Mae, and Survived‘s lead single and video “Brighter Shade” is an earthy, organic, instantly-timeless country song inspired by their relationship and “the general dynamic of the feminine and masculine spirit.” Benjamin says:
I wrote the script for the “Brighter Shade” video in the span of about five minutes. I had been pitched a few music video concepts from my management at Space Colonel, but I felt that this song needed a personal touch. I was talking on the phone with Mike Vanata about the potential of him coming out from Wyoming and filming something on my land here in Muhlenberg County, KY. Toward the end of the conversation I told him I would think of something all the while it was already coming together in my head. With 10 minutes of hanging up I sent him a basic script of this concept.
This video encapsulates mine and Ashley’s relationship in a lot of ways and the general dynamic of the feminine and masculine spirit. I have always wandered into the unknown in search of something my soul craves that has often led me into traps unforeseen. Ashley has always been there to clean me up and tame the beast within me as part of her sacred duty. As years have gone by and I have gained wisdom through risk, reward and ruin I have become more effective in bringing back valuable treasures from my quests into the darkness. Over time she has become the ultimate embodiment of empathy and patience that my soul needs to heal from those journeys. It is a tale as old as time spanning every culture and creed of human.
There are a lot of psychological connections between the visual and phonic aspect of this piece of art. Every other shot carries a dual meaning mostly related to the song and history of Lost Dog, but also to the process and people involved in the creation of the video. This song develops such an authentic and universally felt notion within the concept of soulmates. This video is an absolutely perfect interpretation of this song and in unison became a masterpiece.
I want to thank Mike Vanata from Western AF for his incredible work and the invaluable friendship we share. I want to thank Ashley Mae for being my guiding star and healing light through years of trial and misfortune most often brought on by my pride and foolishness. I want to last thank God for the incredible gifts of reason and creativity he has given me. The talents and responsibilities I carry are incredibly rare and are not lost on me now that I am fully a man. I will try and not waste it and I pray you don’t waste yours either.
Check it out below.
They’ve also got an upcoming tour in support of the album, including a Brooklyn show on May 1 at Music Hall of Williamsburg. All dates are listed below.
Tracklist
1. Brighter Shade
2 Lifetime of Work
3. Divine To Be
4. Last Train
5. Muhlenberg County Line
6. Son of Tennessee
7. Lonely Old Soul
8. Hubbardville Store
9. If You Leave Me Now
10. Survived
Lost Dog Street Band — 2024 Tour Dates
APR 18, 2024 Saint Andrew’s Hall Detroit, MI
APR 19, 2024 Agora Theatre and Ballroom Cleveland, OH
APR 20, 2024 Thunderbird Café & Music Hall Pittsburgh, PA
APR 21, 2024 The Bluestone Columbus, OH
APR 23, 2024 The Metropolitan Theater Morgantown, WV
APR 24, 2024 Essex Rochester, NY
APR 26, 2024 State Theatre Portland, ME
APR 27, 2024 Higher Ground South Burlington, VT
APR 29, 2024 Royale Boston, MA
MAY 1, 2024 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
MAY 3, 2024 Brooklyn Bowl Philly Philadelphia, PA
MAY 4, 2024 Howard Theatre Washington, DC
MAY 5, 2024 The Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA
MAY 8, 2024 Music Farm Charleston, SC
MAY 10, 2024 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
MAY 11, 2024 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC
MAY 12, 2024 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
JUN 1, 2024 Railbird Music Festival Lexington, KY