With the release of Act II: Mind Travel, Margo Price shares three more songs that widen the time-bending world of Strays II. Out in full on October 13, the nine-track expansion to 2023’s acclaimed Strays LP is a triptych of musical exploration, each part telling its own unique story of love, grief and acceptance. With contributions from Strays and Strays II producer, Jonathan Wilson, as well as Buck Meek and Ny Oh, Act I: Topanga Canyon reflected on the pain and sacrifice it takes to find freedom. Act II: Mind Travel enters the parts of a psychedelic journey where one learns to both ponder the past, and embraces the present with open arms. Inspired by beat poetry, out-of-body experiences and the loss of Price’s family farm, Strays II’s second of three acts includes the previously unheard Black Wolf Blues, Mind Travel and Unoriginal Sin (feat. Mike Campbell), all available now via Loma Vista Recordings. Listen to Act II: Mind Travel here and pre-order Strays II here.
Since announcing Strays II last month, Margo Price has further expounded upon the double album with Light Me Up, a three-part short film directed by Chris Phelps. Each vignette brings viewers into the Topanga studio and life-changing sessions where the music was recorded: Part I: Light Me Up sees Price discussing the role that mushrooms and sex played in her writing process, and Part II: County Road reminisces on the passing of a beloved friend, whose life is honoured in one of the Strays’ stirring centrepieces. The final installment, Part III: Unoriginal Sin, debuts today and illustrates the surreal feeling of co-writing with Mike Campbell. Watch it here, and read more from Margo Price on the collaboration and the rest of Act II: Mind Travel:
“The psychedelic journey continues down the blurry rabbit hole of time and space. We were lucky to have Mike Campbell co-write a dark rocker called Unoriginal Sin. Working with him on some of these songs was like having a master class in songwriting. Sometimes there are dark corners you haven’t explored for some time, but it does some good to clean them out.
Mind Travel is one of the more lyrically strange songs I’ve written. Jeremy and I wrote it in South Carolina. It’s pretty much beat poetry on drugs with a back beat – it was influenced by having an out of body experience on psilocybin. We both had some pretty incredible breakthroughs about accepting death and just reckoning with how fast it’s all going. It’s okay to be reflective and remember the past as long as you don’t get stuck back there. This part of the trip is where you learn to be satisfied with the present.
I love how these songs came together. Black Wolf Blues in particular, Jeremy started writing the words from my exact point of view – he found myself reflecting on my ancestors, my grandparents (Paul & Mary Price) and their love and how it grew despite the drought and the loss of their farm. I wrote the chords and the melody and helped finish the verses and chorus. Even though it has a sweetness and a nostalgic way about it, there is a looming darkness – the wolf who’s been watching and weaving his way like a stray throughout the entire album. Look for him. It’s like an invisible plague hanging in the air, it’s the man in the suit and tie who’s lying to you through his straight, white teeth. He hides in shadows.”
Following the digital, double album release of Strays II on October 13, all nine of the new Strays II songs will be available on vinyl on November 10. Before then, Margo Price will return to the Americana Honors & Awards next week, where she is up for Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Song of The Year. Tied for the most nominations of any single artist in 2023, the accolades have cemented Strays as “her strongest solo work yet” (The New Yorker).
In recent weeks, Margo Price performed at the Grand Ole Opry with Tyler Childers, detailed the new Jessi Colter album that she produced, hosted a star-studded tribute to John Prine for Newport Folk Festival and more. Her latest episode of Austin City Limits premieres on October 28 as part of Season 49 of the PBS program, and her tireless year of touring rolls on with a fall leg of Til The Wheels Fall Off, including numerous headline shows, dates with Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, Orville Peck’s Rodeo, and festivals such as XPoNential, Pilgrimage and Farm Aid, where Price is the first female artist to sit on the board of directors. Find the full list below and tickets at margoprice.net/tour.
STRAYS TRACKLIST:
- Been To The Mountain
- Light Me Up (feat. Mike Campbell)
- Radio (feat. Sharon Van Etten)
- Change of Heart
- County Road
- Time Machine
- Hell In The Heartland
- Anytime You Call (feat. Lucius)
- Lydia
- Landfill
STRAYS II TRACKLIST:
Act I:
- Topanga Canyon
- Strays
- Closer I Get (feat. Ny Oh)
- Malibu (feat. Jonathan Wilson, Buck Meek)
Act II:
- Mind Travel
- Black Wolf Blues
- Mind Travel
- Unoriginal Sin (feat. Mike Campbell)
Act III:
- Burn Whatever’s Left
- Homesick (feat. Jonathan Wilson)
- Where Did We Go Wrong
- Burn Whatever’s Left
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
September 14 – Bloomington, IN – The Castle Theatre #
September 15 – Madison, WI – Live On King Street #
September 16 – Bayfield, WI – Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua #
September 17 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s #
September 22 – Camden, NJ – XPoNential Music Festival
September 23 – Noblesville, IN – Farm Aid
September 24 – Franklin, TN – Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
September 28 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg University (XL Live)^
September 29 – Northampton, MA – Academy of Music^
September 30 – North Truro, MA – Payomet Performing Arts Center^
October 1 – Bridgeport, CT – Sound on Sound
October 3 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom^
October 5 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena*
October 6 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center*
October 7 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena*
October 27 – Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheater !
November 3 – Scottsdale, AZ – Dreamy Draw
November 12 – Pioneertown, CA – Orville Peck’s Rodeo
December 12-15 – Cancun, MX – Dead Ahead Fest 2024
