KITCHEN DWELLERS AND BACKLINE UNITE

KITCHEN DWELLERS COLLABORATE WITH BACKLINE TO RAISE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS 
THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW SONG “STAND AT EASE”  IN ADVANCE OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY OCTOBER 10

KITCHEN DWELLERS ON TOUR NOW

And I can’t stand to see What you’ve done to be free I’ll be there when you see the morning light Now you’re bound to sleep alone

Stand At Ease

Today, Kitchen Dwellers share their new song “Stand At Ease.”  Coupled with Backline, and in time for World Mental Health Day, October 10. First, no matter how silent the struggle with mental health may seem, its effects loom as loudly as an earthquake throughout the music industry. Without prejudice, indeed, even heroes sometimes succumb to its throes. 

Kitchen Dwellers decided not to stay silent on their 2021 single “Stand At Ease.” Following the tragic suicides of a personal hero and close collaborator, the Bozeman, MT quartet—Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]—composed the tune in an effort to not only heal, but remind anyone struggling, “You’re not alone.”

“The main thing we want to do is raise awareness and create engagement with people who are struggling, as well as encourage those who aren’t struggling to support the community,” says Funk. “ Of course, it’s a big issue in the music industry. Road life escalates any mental health issue present in someone’s life, therefore, we’re trying to talk about it.”

A New Perspective

“Stand At Ease” took shape over the next year, and the guys recorded it during the 2021 sessions for their third full-length album, in Minneapolis with producer Cory Wong of Vulfpeck. It addresses suicide head-on with the hook, “I can’t stand to see what you’ve done to be free,” as banjo and piano entwine in a somber serenade.

“Initially, I wanted to write it from the perspective of kids who lost their parents to suicide,” he elaborates. “It’s a reminder there are people who love you and you probably have no idea. For this purpose, the song portrays you’re not alone. You can reach out. Personally, it’s the song I’m most proud of. I really want it to do good in the world.”

By partnering with Backline, it will invariably do just that. “Whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, maybe the song can trigger a happy thought or urge you to reach out to a friend, organization, or even lift yourself up,” he leaves off. “Maybe we can uplift even one person with this.”

See Them Live!

Kitchen Dwellers on Tour:

Oct 8 @ High Noon Saloon

Madison, WI Oct 9 @ Martyrs’

Chicago, IL Oct 14 @ The Charleston Pour House

Charleston, SCOct 15 @ Smith’s Olde Bar

Atlanta, GAOct 16 @ The High Watt

Nashville, TNOct 21 @ Salvage Station

Asheville, NC Oct 22 @ The Music Yard at SouthBound

Charlotte, NC Oct 23 @ Pour House Raleigh NC Oct 26 @ 8×10

Baltimore, MDOct 27 @ World Cafe

Philadelphia, PA Oct 28 @ Brooklyn Bowl

Brooklyn, NY Oct 29 @ The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

Albany, NY Oct 30 @ Electric Haze

Worcester, MA Oct 31 @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV11/3 @ The Press Room

Portsmouth, NH11/4 @ Higher Ground

South Burlington, VT11/5 @ Brighton Music Hall

Boston, MA11/6 @ Portland House of Music and Events

Portland, ME 11/7 @ Bank of NH Stage

Concord, NH 12/10 @ Knotty Pine

Victor, ID 12/11 @ The Depot

Salt Lake City, UT 12/30 @ Elm

Bozeman, MT12/31 @ Elm

Bozeman, MT All tour dates and up to date information available at https://www.kitchendwellers.co

About Kitchen Dwellers: In the near decade they’ve been together, the Montana-based four-piece has performed for thousands at Red Rocks, shared bills with the likes of Railroad Earth, The Infamous String Dusters, and Twiddle, graced festival stages from Northwest String Summit to WinterWonderGrass. To this end, they transcended traditional genre boundaries, blending virtuosic bluegrass wizardry with ecstatic rock and roll energy and adventurous psychedelia. As a result, the group has come fully into their own, seamlessly blending the past, present, and future of string band music. 

About Backline: Backline is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources. We want to build a safer and more supportive music industry by helping our community access quality mental health care providers that understand this line of work.

Press Contact: Emily Ginsbergginsberg@bighassle.com

Big Hassle Media: 40 Exchange Place, Suite 1900, New York, NY 10005

About Author