This is a playlist for a road trip through the vast American West. Not necessarily songs about the “far out country,” but songs that embody it. Songs that, when you play them out in the mix of the unexplored and untainted, embody the energy of the landscape and journey.
Some of these songs are just all-time road bangers. Some are by our good friends and tour mates. Some are by universal legends. But they’re all very near and dear to us.
Listen, the boys let me (Tojo) put this thing together, and I have a penchant for slow burners and sad songs, but I tried my damnedest to mix in enough lively tunes (and upbeat bummer jams) to make this enjoyable to others, too. It was an absolute pleasure putting this together and we hope y’all like it alright.
Much Love,
– Futurebirds (and tojo)
“Guitar Town” – Steve Earle
Really captures the vibe of hopping in a van with your best friends to go play music to 10-12 people in a town you’ve never heard of.
“Something on Your Mind” – Karen Dalton
This song just feels like the beginning of a road trip, feelings of regret and longing about what you’ve left, but also confidence in the moving forward.
“Backstories” – Grass Giraffes
Grass Giraffes toured with us more than a decade ago. They’re fellow Athens guys and their drummer was 15. Who doesn’t love screaming “Oooos” with the windows down trucking down a highway?
“Born on the Cusp” – American Analog Set
One of my all-time favorite groovers, “it’s bigger than us” is a constant feeling out there.
“Violent Jubilee” – Fust
“I like driving with the odometer busted, when I know the stars are gonna fall any minute” – well said.
“Lights of LA County” – Lyle Lovett
Reminds me of pulling into a new city for the first time in your life, coming from a vast desert, and being overwhelmed by how magnificent it all looks and feels.
Deloyd Elze – “parröthead 2.0”
These boys played a month of shows with us this summer and definitely embody Far Out Country. “I want to die on stage in a Buffett cover band, going out singing ‘Margaritaville.'” Love this song.
Ry Cooder – “Drive Like I’ve Never Been Hurt”
Ry Cooder is a legend, and this song is from a concept record, but feels perfect for this.
“Carefree Highway” – Gordon Lightfoot
Our old TM loved Gordon, and I can’t argue with him. Sometimes the road is the peace you need to process.
“The Monument Valley” – Drive-By Truckers
To us, DBT are heroes and mentors. They’ve been so gracious with us, imparting their road wisdom and a constant reminder to trust the dream. This is one of my favorite Patterson songs, just nails it, and you feel it when you’re driving out West. “You turn your back on the comforts of home, and wander ’round the Monument Valley alone” – that’s as far out country as you can get.
“Hit the Ground Running” – Smog
We quote a different Bill Callahan song on the last song of our record. This song feels in line with a lot of the themes of our record. Change is constant. You’ve just got to learn how to deal, try and land on your feet and keep moving.
“Red Moon” – Big Thief
“She turned her head a full 360.” You’ll see some inexplicable things out there…
“Blame It on the Tetons” – Modest Mouse
We have an awful (and hilarious) tradition of playing area-specific, on-the-nose songs as we’re pulling into random towns. I like to play this one when we’re pulling into Jackson, Wyoming, and when it’s snowing at the end of a long tour, it feels like the only song that could possibly exist.
“Highway Anxiety” – William Tyler
This song embodies exploration perfectly, without a word spoken.
“Sing Me Back Home” – The Flying Burrito Brothers
No matter how far you get out there, the songs will keep you centered. Love this version of this tune.
“I Dream a Highway” – Gillian Welch
My go-to “missing home” song. It’s a devastating homage to longing and one of my all-time favorite songs ever. Just floors me every time.
Photo Credit: Jacq Justice
