Steve Martin and Edie Brickell are collaborating once again for the follow up to 2013's Love Has Come For You with the October 30th release date for So Familiar. The duo premiered the album's first single, "Won't Go Back," performing together again on Rolling Stone's website Wednesday (Aug. 19).
On the same month as the album's release date, Martin will be awarded a Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for his lifetime commitment to the genre.
Aside from his skills as a legacy comedian having since getting his start back in the mid-70s, he's contributed significantly to the Bluegrass music scene. He's had a number of solo projects as well as with the Steep Canyon Rangers. His collaboration with Brickell is just the latest in a long line of musical appearances on late night talk shows as well as multiple appearances at Bonnaroo for the ever-popular Superjams.
Brickell takes up the vocal responsibilities on the new track as Martin lays down the opening banjo licks sustaining the poppy folk tune. This time around Martin and Brickell have a full supporting band where as on the previous collaboration is was largely just the two of them. Because of that stylistic change the song feels a lot more upbeat and accessible, where previous works were more geared to the bluegrass lovers of the world.
In the Rolling Stone interview with Martin, he explains how the tune came about when he bought a new baritone banjo with thicker, wound strings that give the instrument a lower pitch. He sent it off to Brickell and the rest is history.
Listen to the track on Rolling Stone.
