Life is Good On The Open Road For Trampled By Turtles

by | Feb 22, 2018

Celebrated Minnesota sextet Trampled By Turtles have announced details of their long-awaited new album Life Is Good On The Open Road, due for release via Thirty Tigers on June 1. After an indefinite hiatus, the band are returning with their first new album in four years following in the wake of previous Billboard-charting records which have included three No.1s on the Bluegrass and Folk charts. In line with announcement, the band have shared the first single Kelly’s Bar which you can listen to here.

Coincidentally, the band had arranged to regroup at banjo player, Dave Carroll’s cabin on the same day that their mutually beloved hero, Tom Petty sadly passed away.

Within an hour of converging at the cabin, instrument cases were opened and ideas were passed around.

“We started cracking beers and hanging out, and all of a sudden it was like, ‘wow’!” frontman and primary songwriter, Dave Simonett recalls. “So we went down by the lake and brought a speaker and a bottle of whiskey, and just sat and listened to like six Tom Petty records straight. It felt good as a band to be sharing in that. Somebody we had all admired so much musically, that we could kind of bond over.”

By the second day of their retreat, Trampled went live on Facebook with a performance of Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, and by the end of the week, they were already working with handful of new songs that Simonett had written, and firming up dates at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, to record their next album.

After 15 years of recording and performing high-energy live shows, Trampled By Turtles have built a large and loyal fanbase that fill venues in their home of the US and here in the UK. Trampled By Turtles have previously toured with the likes of Hiss Golden Messenger and Deer Tick, performed at festivals including Bonnaroo, Coachella and Lollapalooza, and played twice on the David Letterman Show. The band are set to announce a slew of UK dates in support of the new release.

Life Is Good On The Open Road is the welcome return that the group’s legions of passionate fans have been waiting for. Led by the songwriting of lead singer Dave Simonett, the new songs touch on key elements from the entire spectrum of Trampled By Turtles body of work, while creating something that sounds fresh and invigorated. Simonett, and bandmates Erik Berry, Ryan Young, Dave Carroll, Tim Saxhaug and Eamonn McLain reunited at a cabin in the Minnesota woods to see if the special chemistry they once shared still existed. It did not take long for the magic to reveal itself with an invigorated sense of purpose and the result shines brightly on Life Is Good On The Open Road.

https://rockshotmagazine.com/16840/live-review-gin-wigmore-dingwalls/

Emmylou Harris (Press)

Emmylou Harris To Close European Farewell Tour At The Long Road 2026

The UK’s largest and most immersive outdoor celebration of Country, Americana and Roots returns this summer as The Long Road Festival announces its seventh edition, set for the August Bank Holiday weekend, August 27th–30th 2026. Taking place once again at the picturesque Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, the four-day festival continues to bridge generations of artists — from genre-defining legends to the fresh voices reshaping modern country and Americana.

Foo Fighters @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Kalpesh Patel)

Foo Fighters Let Loose At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Just two nights after levelling The Academy Dublin and with Manchester’s O2 Ritz in their sights, Foo Fighters storm the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire for the second of three word-of-mouth, in-person-ticket-only club shows. No pre-sale frenzy. No dynamic pricing warfare. Just queues round the block and 2,000 devotees crammed into the Empire like it’s 1996 again.

The Casualties (Jeff Schaer)

The Casualties Return With Explosive New Album ‘Detonate’

Hardcore punk mainstays The Casualties have announced their long-awaited new album Detonate, marking their first full-length release in eight years. The record lands digitally on 27th March, with vinyl and CD editions following on 17th July.

Ashnikko @ O2 Academy Brixton (Neil Lupin)

Ashnikko Opens The Door To Smoochie World At O2 Academy Brixton

O2 Academy Brixton is already fizzing before Ashton Nicole Casey – better known as Ashnikko – even sets foot onstage....
Megan Moroney (Amber Asaly)

Megan Moroney Releases Globally Anticipated New Album ‘Cloud 9’

Multi-platinum country star Megan Moroney has unveiled her highly anticipated third studio album, Cloud 9, out now via Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records.

Corey Kent (Dayna White)

Corey Kent Fast-Tracks ‘Empty Words’ After Viral Fan Demand

Multi-platinum country star Corey Kent has accelerated the release of his brand new single Empty Words after overwhelming fan demand, with a teaser for the track racking up more than 20 million views across social media.

The Grahams (Press)

The Grahams Share ‘Worst Parts Of Me’ Ahead Of ‘The Bridge Deluxe Edition’ & UK Tour

Nashville-based duo The Grahams have unveiled their new single Worst Parts Of Me, taken from the forthcoming deluxe edition of their recent album The Bridge, set for release on 6th March.

Yungblud (Tom Pallant)

Yungblud Expands Idols Era With ‘Idols II’ And Grammy Triumph

Britain’s biggest rock export Yungblud has announced the second instalment of his ambitious concept project, Idols II, set for digital release on 20th February 2026.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing