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Parker Millsap will release his fourth full-length album, Other Arrangements, on May 4 via Thirty Tigers.
Other Arrangements marks a shift in direction for Millsap — one where he indulges his pop sensibilities.
“For me, this record is about trying to write pop songs,” Millsap said. “When I say ‘pop,’ I mean how a Beatles record was pop music: the songs provide a variety of musical and emotional information; there are funny, sad, and happy moments; multiple tempos; ballads; rock and roll songs … Like I usually tell strangers who ask, I play rock and roll music but I have a fiddle player, too.”
And the title is fitting, too. While writing Other Arrangements, Millsap explored new methods of songwriting, including experimentation with drum kits and tape loops, resulting in a variety of musical flavors. The album features a rendition of “Your Water,” which Millsap originally recorded with Sarah Jarosz for a seven-inch Third Man Records release, and the tune is a good example of this experimentation: “It’s a pop song,” Millsap said. “But there’s some weirdness on it — kind of like how the whole album has distorted fiddle all over the place. There’s a lot of fun audio stuff going on here.”
Millsap said he’s more confident about releasing this album than he’s been with any other. And for the 24 year-old, this confidence comes with the recognition that he can explore new territory and still portray something honest.
“This record is where I learned that I’m allowed to change, and that people expect it and it’s good. I wanted this one to be different from the last; I realized while making it that I didn’t have to do the sad, folky thing with Jesus lyrics and acoustic guitar, but that I could write artsy pop songs like Van Morrison. I wanted to prove to myself that I could write something universal. Songs are primal — even in jazz there’s a base, a guideline. I just want to hear somebody be honest with me. Whether in a saxophone solo or a groove or a great phrase, it’s worth looking for the honesty in everything.”
Check out Parkers Millsap’s upcoming tour dates below.
May 4 – Norman, OK – Sooner Theatre – SOLD OUT
May 5 – Norman, OK – Sooner Theatre
May 6 – Perkins, OK – The Old Church
May 8 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre w/ Jillette Johnson
May 9 – Austin, TX – The Parish w/ Jillette Johnson
May 10 – Houston, TX – Continental Club w/ Jillette Johnson
May 12 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish House of Blues w/ Jillette Johnson
May 14 – Memphis, TN – Growlers w/ Jillette Johnson
May 15 – Birmingham, AL – The Saturn w/ Jillette Johnson
May 20 – Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindsley w/ Jillette Johnson
May 31 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
June 1 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
June 2 – Iowa City, IA – TBA
June 3 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
June 5 – Milwaukee, WI – The Back Room @ Colectivo
June 6 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi–Fi
June 13 – Washington, D.C. – Black Cat
June 14 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Other Arrangements Track Listing:
Fine Line
Your Water
Singing To Me
Other Arrangements
Let a Little Light In
Tell Me
Gotta Get To You
Good Night
Coming On
Some People
She
Come Back When You Can’t Stay (Co-written with Jillette Johnson)
