The Lemonheads reveal ‘Rake’, a Townes Van Zandt cover, the haunting first single from their forthcoming release ‘Townesville’ that coincides with their upcoming UK and European ‘Love Chant’ tour.
A tribute to the immortal songwriting of Townes Van Zandt, the project serves as a natural extension of Evan Dando’s lifelong trajectory as a song collector, wanderer, and authentic American troubadour.
The single features renowned Brazilian musician Almir Sater, whose intricate, grounding work on the 10-string viola caipira brings an unexpected, bone-deep resonance to Van Zandt’s dark lyrics. The collaboration connects three distinct lines of traditional roots music: Van Zandt’s austere folk storytelling, Dando’s intuitive indie-country delivery, and Sater’s rich, meditative, pantaneiro instrumentals.
Together, the trio of influences turns “Rake” into an uncanny, haunting masterpiece proving that true folk poetry carries the same weight, whether born in the Texas dust, the Boston pavement, or the heart of Brazil.
The Fat Angel Sings 