Play the Piano Drunk Like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit. The title of a 1970s poetry collection by Charles Bukowski? Well, yes, but the phrase could also serve as a mission statement for piano-slayer Kristeen Young. The St. Louis-bred singer-songwriter (and regular Morrissey tourmate) channels the otherworldly, art-rock dramatics of Kate Bush, along with the ferocity of Sleater-Kinney — it’s a dynamic that powers Young’s soon-to-be-released seventh album, The Knife Shift.
Due May 13, the upcoming LP boasts an impressive guest list. Dave Grohl drums on the record’s 11 tracks, and supplies guitar on five; glam-rock whiz Tony Visconti plays guitar on a handful of songs as well, in addition to co-producing the entire effort; and Moz ax-man Boz Boorer lends his talents on eccentric centerpiece “Rough Up the Groove.”
Here’s what Grohl had to say about working with Young:
“When Kristeen wrote to me, ‘I have 10 songs, it should take about three days…’ I knew right then and there that I had met my match. A new partner in crime. She doesn’t just play these songs, she attacks them. Working with Kristeen was effortless because I think we both shared the same vision, or direction, the same conviction and passion (though her passion is a fucking monster). She drove me to play harder, and kept me focused, even in moments of beautiful, chaotic noise. Every take I watched her, eyes closed, pounding her piano, screaming into her microphone so loud it overpowered my drums at times. It was an audience of one, but she filled the room like it were a stadium.”
Stream all of The Knife Shift below, and scroll down for Young’s upcoming tour dates.
Kristeen Young’s tour dates:
May 7 – San Jose, CA @ National Civic Auditorium
May 8 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
May 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Los Angeles Sports Arena
May 13 – El Paso, TX @ Plaza Theater
May 14 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
May 16 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kingsbury Hall
May 17 – Denver, CO @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
May 19 – Lincoln, NE @ Rococo Theatre
May 20 – Lawrence, KS @, Liberty Hall
May 22 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
May 24 – Austin, TX @ Austin Music Hall
May 25 – Beaumont, TX @ Julie Rogers Theatre
May 27 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
May 28 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
May 30 – St Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater
May 31 – Miami, FL @ Knight Concert Hall
June 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Cobb Energy Center
June 6 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Revel Ovation Hall
June 7 – Boston, MA @ Boston Opera House
June 10 – Baltimore, MD @ Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
June 11 – Washington, D.C. @ Lincoln Theater
June 13 – Chicago, IL @ Civic Opera House
June 14 – Flint, MI @ James Whiting Auditorium
June 16 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Main Stage Theater
June 17 – Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
June 19 – Hershey, PA @ Hershey Theatre
June 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
