Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker has shared six new songs as part of a collection she’s calling I Won’t Let Go of Your Hand. The demos were recorded as they were written and are available to purchase on Bandcamp, with all of the proceeds going to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. “The need for a ceasefire is beyond urgent,” Lenker wrote in a note accompanying the release. “Permanent Ceasefire Now!” Find her full note below.
In 2022, Big Thief scheduled two concerts in Israel and defended their decision to do so—bassist Max Oleartchik’s hometown is Tel Aviv—but later canceled the shows and apologized for booking them in the first place, saying “Our intent […] stemmed from a simple belief that music can heal.” In a new interview with The New York Times, Lenker called it “naïve and not thought out” to believe Big Thief could have played those shows without getting criticism, and described the inner turmoil that discussion spawned as something that could break up a band.
Next week, Lenker will release her new solo album, Bright Future, on March 22 via 4AD. The follow-up to 2020’s Songs and Instrumentals is led by the singles “Ruined,” “Sadness as a Gift,” and “Fool.” The new LP was co-produced with Philip Weinrobe and features Nick Hakim, Mat Davidson, and Josefin Runsteen.
Adrianne Lenker:
