White Denim share new single "Ruby" from upcoming album "13" out 24th April via Bella Union || Announce UK & EU Tour for late Summer!

photo credit: Charlie Weinmann

L.A-based rockers White Denim are back with their anticipated new album 13 out 24th April via Bella Union. An incandescent, groove-heavy alchemy of rock, funk, dub, soul and down-dirty blues, it’s imbued with the same questing spirit that’s been the band’s trademark since first starting in Austin, Texas, some 20 years ago. Following the singles “(God Created) Lock and Key” and “Hired Hand #2”, today White Denim share new album cut “Ruby” accompanied by a live performance video recorded on frontman James Petralli’s back porch – click HERE to watch.

Commenting on the track James Petralli says: “I wrote a version of ‘Ruby’ quite a few years ago. Every few months the melody would pop back into my mind for a while before drifting out again. I picked up a few old cassette recorders at a neighbourhood flea market that warbled audio in a way that vividly sparked a memory of the texture of the first few bars of ‘Street Fighting Man’ by The Rolling Stones. This was enough for me to begin chasing the production of the song in earnest. I get really excited about making direct connections between my work and the history of rock and roll. I'm not really a purist. I do however feel that attempting to build something new upon existing foundations that represents my friends and I is about the most enjoyable and life affirming way I've found to spend time.”

Additionally, White Denim have announced news of a UK & EU Tour in late August and September that includes 2 x performances at London’s Moth Club and appearances at Psych Fest in Brighton and Manchester as well as headline shows and festival appearances in Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain – dates and info below:

27 August - Belfast, UK - Limelight 2

28 August - Dublin, Ireland - Whelan’s

30 August - Glasgow, UK - Classic Grand

31 August - Newcastle, UK - The Cluny

1 September - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club

2 September - Bristol, UK - The Fleece

4 September - Brighton, UK - Brighton Psych Fest

5 September - Manchester, UK - Manchester Psych Fest

7 September - London, UK - Moth Club

8 September - London, UK - Moth Club

12 September - Asten Heusden, Netherlands - Misty Fields Festival

13 September - Cologne, Germany - MTC

14 September - Hamburg, Germany - Molotow Club

15 September - Utrecht, Netherlands - De Helling

18 September - Barcelona, Spain - Upload

20 September - Madrid, Spain - El Sol

“I’ve always wanted to make work that’s a reflection of my life experience,” says James Petralli of his band’s thirteenth album. “The just-below-the-surface significance to ‘13’ as an album title is that I was born on the thirteenth of August. ‘13’ in numerology can signify independence, creativity, and a solid foundation, but inversely is often considered to be unlucky and can signify chaos and misfortune. Like everyone, I can certainly see both sides in my life.”

Petralli’s wide-ranging musical appetites have become more voracious over time. The sounds and textures of 13 are informed by everyone from Scritti Politti to The Gap Band, Terry Reid to King Tubby, Caetano Veloso to John Cale, Stevie Wonder to ‘80s-era Steve Winwood. Such diversity is reflected in multi-faceted gems like “(God Created) Lock And Key”, “Only A Fool” and “That’s Rap”.

Elsewhere, the temperate “Time Time” heads into the kind of soulful, horn-gilded territory that earmarked White Denim’s previous album, 2024’s critically-lauded ‘12’. Here, Petralli addresses the roll of the years, creative freedom and the importance of family: “It’s a sort of promise that, as long as I’m alive, I will try to prioritise my wife and children and our relationships above all else.” This is a key theme of ‘13’. “I felt that I had to write about my life and experience as a middle-aged dad trying to do better for a family and make sense of this life through making art,” he adds.

The album features band members Michael Hunter (keyboards) and Matt Young (drums and percussion) alongside original drummer Josh Block, who, having also journeyed west from Texas in recent times is now Petralli’s neighbour. Block’s presence on ‘13’ - alongside the likes of Owen Pallet (strings), Jesse Chandler (clarinet, sax, flute), Kosta Galanoupolis (bass), and Dawes siblings Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith – highlights both the fluid nature of latter-day White Denim and Petralli’s determination to honour the band’s initial directive.

Also aboard is fellow original, bassist Steve Terebecki. “I wouldn’t call a project White Denim if it didn't include significant contributions from another founding member of the group,” asserts Petralli. “‘12’ and ‘13’ both feature Josh and Steve in various capacities. I recorded and arranged these last two records for the most part, but I really don’t ever want to be alone. Music has given me a place and purpose in this world. And it’s been the primary way I’ve connected with other people over the years.”

‘13’ proves that Petralli continues to do so. And in imperious style.