Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel reveal name of new record; release date, sign deal with Denver-based label

L to R: Matt Burke, J.P. Beaubien, Daniel Burke, Scott Anderson - PUBLICITY PHOTO

Bradenton alt-country ensemble Have Gun, Will Travel has officially joined Denver-based Suburban Home Records. The label will release the band's new album "Mergers & Acquisitions." The official record release party will be Oct. 21 at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa and presented by community radio station WMNF (88.5).

HGWT recorded most of “Mergers & Acquisitions” at their practice space in downtown Bradenton. Other parts of the album were recorded with Andy Feldman who co-produced the album with HGWT. Scott Anderson (lead guitarist of HGWT) mixed it. Steve Connelly mastered the record. The artwork for the album will be done by Janell Francois with photography by Kelley Jackson. Devon Stuart of the Takers makes a guest appearance on the on the song “Thirteen Miles to Empty,” which HGWT has been playing in concert recently.

Burke and I discussed the song and the new album in May: 

“It’s a more upbeat, country rock type of song about the obstacles of being in a band on the road, but from a lighthearted perspective,” Burke said of  "Thirteen Miles to Empty."

“I used to be a little self-conscious about adding any kind of humor into my songs -- maybe I took my writing a little too seriously. But the more music I branch out and listen to and soak in, I’m inspired to try new things with my writing.”

Burke cited Loudon Wainwright III and John Prine as singer/songwriters who excel at being funny and poignant.

“Time Machine,” a moving song about battling homesickness while driving from show to show, will also likely be performed at Party on the Plaza (event took place May 21).

It’s the lead track on the recently released Bay Area Arts & Music (BAAMO) compilation “Tales of Highways & Low Roads,” the most-played album on WMNF last week.

Another version of “Time Machine,” along with “13 Miles to Empty” and a re-recorded version of “Freightliner” (from the first EP) will appear on Have Gun’s untitled, upcoming release planned for late summer/early fall.

Whereas “Postcards from the Friendly City” largely focuses on life in Bradenton, the new material takes listeners on a cross-country journey. Have Gun has toured as far as Colorado recently and the experiences are reflected in Burke’s richly detailed writing.

“It’s not that I’m trying to make any sort of cohesive story, but knowing there’s a theme in place helps direct the writing for the remainder of the songs once I see a common thread,” Burke said.

Continue reading "Bradenton band’s ‘Blessing’ on national Chevy ad."

Read the complete publicity release: Suburban Home signs Have Gun Will Travel, will release “Mergers & Acquisitions.”

Have Gun, Will Travel official website.