For over 20 years alt-country heroes the Bottle Rockets have been telling Heartland-born stories about battle-tested folks from all walks of life. Now the band is gearing up to release their latest album Bit Logic (out Oct. 12 on Bloodshot Records).
The title track, which Wide Open Country is exclusively premiering today, is a roots rocker made for anyone who finds their head spinning over our society's obsession with social media and technology's advance into do-it-all virtual assistants. (Or all-knowing, all-seeing surveillance overlords, depending on how you may feel.)
"Bit Logic" finds a man reminiscing on his own "technicolor childhood" and features a jaded waitress lamenting ever-present "shallow cellphone selfie vanity."
But it's not about hating on technological advances. Co-writer and Bottle Rockets frontman Brian Henneman says the song was inspired by his effort to truly understand what it means to live in the modern world.
"'Bit Logic' is a song about old ways meeting new ways. Working through it as open-mindedly and gracefully as old ways will allow," Henneman tells Wide Open Country. "Basically, it's a song about old dogs learning new tricks. Written by Mark (Ortmann) and me. The oldest dogs in this pack. Yes, it's autobiographical..."
Listen to the track below.
Bloodshot Records
The Bottle Rockets, made up of Henneman, Ortmann, John Horton and Keith Voegele, recorded Bit Logic at Sawhorse Studios in St. Louis. The album is available for pre-order. For more information on the band, visit their official website.
Upcoming Tour Dates for the Bottle Rockets:
Aug. 16 — El Dorado, Ark. — The Griffin
Aug. 17 — Pocola, Okla. — Gilley's at Choctaw Casino
Aug. 18 — Reeds Spring, Mo. — Living Room Show
Aug. 30 — New Albany, Ind. — Living Room Show
Aug. 31 — Manchester, Ky. — Manchester Music Fest
Sept. 7 — Crystal City, Mo. — Twin City Days Party on the Cobblestone
Sept. 14 — Nashville, Tenn. Bloodshot Records Backyard Bash
Oct. 11 — Grand Rapids, Mich. — Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill
Oct. 13 — Buffalo, New York — Sportsmen's Tavern
Oct. 14 — Toronto, Ontario CA — Lee's Palace
Oct. 16 — Northampton, Mass. — Iron Horse Music Hall
Oct. 17 — New York, N.Y. — Hill Country Live
Oct. 18 — Washington, D.C. — Gypsy Sally's
Oct. 19 — Philadelphia, Pa. — Milkboy
Oct. 21 — Charleston, W.V. — Mountain Stage
Nov. 7 — Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. — Showboat Saloon
Nov. 9 — Three Oaks, Mich. — Acorn Theater
Nov. 14 — St. Paul, Minn. — Turf Club
