Monday, July 17, 2017

Austin-based songwriter, guitarist, producer Stephen Doster celebrates lives of legendary friends on “New Black Suit,” out August 25th

New full-length follows-up 2014’s “Arizona” comeback, hailed as a “masterpiece” by Austin Chronicle. Hear “Something Good” now.

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Stephen Doster as photographed by Melinda Doster

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Hear “Something Good” from the upcoming Stephen Doster album New Black Suit at the links below!




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Stephen Doster – In The Press

“Stephen Doster should get the recognition he deserves, finally, with this masterpiece.” — Austin Chronicle (2014)

“One of the best records our city has produced this year.” — Austin American-Statesman (2014)

“His stories flow with masterful clarity.” — KUTX 98.9, Austin (NPR)

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“Many of the songs on this record are speaking about friends of mine that have passed, but taught me a lot while they were here,” Austin-based songwriter, guitarist and record producer Stephen Doster explains of New Black Suit (Atticus Records, Aug. 25th), his second album after an 18-year release hiatus that ended in 2014 with the comeback album Arizona, which went on to be described as a “masterpiece” with “one charmed melody after another” by the Austin Chronicle.

“I will always be grateful we were able to get it done,” Doster says, alluding to the practical impact that the album’s subject matter of friends who have passed can have. New Black Suit poignantly includes some of the last recorded work of legendary Austin session bassist and friend to many, George Reiff, who lost his battle with cancer on May 21st, 2017. Doster has dedicated the album to Reiff.

“For me, this is the most exciting and meaningful musical experience I’ve ever been a part of,” Doster says. Other departed friends that inspired New Black Suit include Doster’s mentor, Townes Van Zandt and the legendary late comedian, Bill Hicks.

The opening lines of “Shooting For The Stars” came from a conversation I had with Townes Van Zandt on December 16th, 1994 about my pal Bill Hicks,” Doster explains. “It would have been Bill’s 33rd birthday that day.” Hicks is further immortalized on another of the album’s tracks, “William Melvin Hicks”.

Despite the recurring lyrical theme of loss that is woven throughout the album, New Black Suit isn’t a downer. Its songs serve more as loving tributes and celebrations of their subjects. In fact, Doster considers “Something Good,” the track that he's sharing today, to be one of the most optimistic songs he's ever written.

“Strangely, it was written at a time when I was feeling great despair at the divisiveness that I was seeing all around me. Many of my friends were shaken by the political climate, and fear and anger seemed to be winning the day. So, I decided I wanted to write a song that was the opposite of that. I wanted to write a song about hope, and ‘Something Good’ is my way of telling every man and woman that your positivity can make the world a better place."

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Over the course of his long and varied career, Austin-based songwriter and Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen Doster has worked with Willie Nelson, Dr. John, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joe Cocker, and Nanci Griffith among many others. More recently, he has enjoyed watching the rise to fame of Grammy Award-winner Maren Morris, whose debut album, Walk On, was produced by Doster.

New Black Suit, the latest album from Stephen Doster, arrives via Atticus Records on August 25th, 2017. Doster is available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Stephen Doster – Live

09/9/2017: Austin, TX @ The Townsend (Record Release Show, 8PM)
11/9/2017: Tucson, AZ @ Monterey Court (w/ Bob Cheevers, 8PM)
11/12/2017: Pasadena, CA @ Old Oak Cellars (w/ Bob Cheevers, 3PM)
11/13/2017: Burbank, CA @ Cody's Viva Cantina (w/ Bob Cheevers, 8PM)
11/16/2017: Carmel, CA @ Barmel By The Sea (w/ Bob Cheevers, 7PM)
11/17/2017: Sacramento, CA @ Luna's Cafe (w/ Bob Cheevers, 8PM)
11/21/2017: Silver City, NM @ Tranquilbuzz Coffee House (w/ Bob Cheevers, 6PM)
11/22/2017: Taos, NM @ Historic Taos Inn (w/ Bob Cheevers, 630PM)
11/24/2017: Alamosa, CO @ The Society Hall (w/ Bob Cheevers, 7PM)
11/25/2017: Taos, NM @ Eske's Brew Pub (w/ Bob Cheevers, 630PM)
11/26/2017: Santa Fe, NM @ The Cowgirl Saloon (w/ Bob Cheevers, 8PM)

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Stephen Doster
New Black Suit
(Atticus Records)
August 25th, 2017


Track Listing:

01. Shooting For The Stars
02. Balmorhea
03. William Melvin Hicks
04. You Should’ve Seen This Place
05. Big Cars
06. Until The End
07. Something Good  (YOUTUBE | SOUNDCLOUD | MP3)
08. Love Like Summertime
09. You Better Know It
10. New Black Suit

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Stephen Doster Links


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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion


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