Jaimee Harris’s Sophomore Effort Boomerang Town Runs The Gamut Of Social, Personal, And Political Struggles And Successes
Out today via Thirty Tigers; Harris’s tour continues
this weekend in Santa Monica, CA
Nashville, TN – February 17, 2023 – Jaimee Harris’s new album Boomerang Town—out now via Thirty Tigers—marks a bold step forward for this country-folk-leaning singer-songwriter. It is an arresting, ambitious song cycle exploring the generational arc of family, the stranglehold of addiction, and the fragile ties that bind us as Americans. It was from the intersection of these social, personal, and political currents the album was born. And while much of the material on Boomerang Town was inspired by personal experience, the songs on this collection are far from autobiographical xeroxed copies; though they all come from a place of emotional truth. And that truth has already resonated with fans and critics alike through album singles like the thoughtful and encouraging “Love Is Gonna Come Again” and the personification of real-deal addiction in “The Fair And Dark Haired Lad.”
Harris also undertook the ambitious task of creating a visual element for all of the songs from Boomerang Town. Giving her fellow musicians the reins to shoot, direct, and essentially have full creative control over these music videos made for a staggeringly beautiful accompaniment to the already stellar music. Check out released videos in the album’s tracklist below, and stay tuned for more videos in the coming weeks.
Fans can now purchase or stream Boomerang Town in its entirety at this link. Harris is currently on a nationwide tour which picks up on February 19th in Santa Monica, California. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at jaimeeharris.com/tour.
Boomerang Town In The News:
“The album I’m listening to this week is Boomerang Town by Jaimee Harris. I first heard Jaimee Harris in 2018 and was just blown away by the power of her voice, the plaintiveness in her voice…and the honesty and forthrightness in her songwriting. Her second album does not disappoint on those levels. Tough stuff, family trauma, addiction, but there’s also some beautiful love songs and a lot of hope on this record, too. It is just beautiful. You will be crying by the end of this record. Happy tears.”
– Ann Powers for NPR Music
Henry Carrigan reviewed the album for No Depression, commenting, “Jaimee Harris weaves spellbinding tales, wrapping stories of home, grief, loss, addiction, and love into deeply moving atmospheric music… Harris explores the emotional terrain of human relationships, illuminating what glows in the dark shadows of the human heart. Harris’ emotionally expansive vocals ring with a crystal clarity and pull from her cinematic songwriting a poignant core of feeling that reverberates with every note.”
Giving the album 9 out of 10 stars, Holler. reviewed the album, “Harris pulls off a skillful balance of craftsmanship and heart on Boomerang Town. With her moving vocals and airtight lyricism, Harris has created not only a sonic tour of small-town living, but a songwriting tour de force.”
Jaimee detailed her favorite memory of being on stage, songwriting process and more for The Bluegrass Situation’s 5+5 series.
The Boot premiered “Love Is Gonna Come Again,” writing, “The intricate, emotional song taps into the blanket of uncertainty and pain that can engulf those reeling from a devastating loss.”
For The Austin Chronicle, Doug Freeman wrote, “Boomerang Town reaches
new heights for Harris.”
Harris sat down with host Kim Ruehl for Folk Alley’s Why We Write podcast to discuss how her father pointed her toward songwriting, the influence of Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller, and much more.
Jaimee spoke in-depth with Country Queer about the new record and earlier today, they premiered the video for “Fall (Devin’s Song).”
Mike Davies reviewed the album for Folk Radio UK, writing, “Jaimee Harris’s 2020 Red Rescue was an auspicious debut, but Boomerang Town is a far stronger, more reflective, more emotional and masterful album that firmly announces her
as both a voice and a writer of the finest grade.”
Boomerang Town Tracklist with Video Links:
1. “Boomerang Town”
2. “Sam’s”
3. “How Could You Be Gone”
4. “The Fair and Dark Haired Lad”
5. “On the Surface”
6. “Good Morning, My Love”
7. “Like You”
8. “Fall (Devin’s Song)”
10. “Missing Someone”
More About Boomerang Town In Harris’s Words: “Why was I able to get out of my boomerang town? Why are others stuck there, longing to leave but unable to find their way out? Writing these songs, bringing these narrators to life, brought me closer to the answers.
Even though I was able to leave, I was not able to escape the generational cycle of addiction and mental illness. I had to deconstruct my Evangelical upbringing, keeping the good things I took from it (the importance of service and loving my neighbor), and rejecting the bigotry and brainwashing – then find faith again, my own way, outside of religion, through recovery, fellowship, and the alchemy of songwriting.
My hometown is no different than the hometown of millions of others. These songs tell the story of what it is like to live in these towns, in these times. This is what it’s like to be a part of the post ”Born to Run” generation. Springsteen’s generation had somewhere to run to. I’m not so sure mine does.
Whether or not you grew up in a small town or were born and raised in New York City, I bet you can relate to these characters. I bet you know what it feels like to grieve the loss of a loved one or a dream. I bet you’ve experienced how one seemingly small decision can alter the course of your entire life, for better or worse. These characters are a reflection of a people whose resilience, hope, and faith is being tested.”
Catch Jaimee Harris On Tour:
Feb. 19 – Santa Monica, CA – McCabe’s
Feb. 23 – San Francisco, CA – KC Turner’s House Concert
Feb. 25 – Austin, TX – C-Boys Heart & Soul
Mar. 9 – Nashville, TN – Analog ^
Mar. 15 – Durango, CO – Ft. Lewis College +
Mar. 16 – Santa Fe, NM – St. Francis Auditorium +
Mar. 17 – Corrales, NM – Historic Old San Ysidro Church +
Mar. 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum +
Mar. 25 – Bellingham, WA – Lookout Listening Room*
Mar. 28 – Seattle, WA – Triple Door*
Mar. 29 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall*
Mar. 31 – Berkeley, CA – Freight & Salvage*
Apr. 1 – Santa Monica, CA – McCabes Guitar Shop*
Apr. 3 – Austin, TX – The Saxon Pub #
Apr. 4 – Fort Worth, TX – The Post at River East #
Apr. 5 – Houston, TX – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck #
Apr. 6 – Baton Rouge, LA – Red Dragon Listening Room #
Apr. 8 – Birdeye, AR – Birdeye Sessions #
Apr. 11 – Nashville, TN – The Bluebird Cafe # ^
Apr. 14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe*
Apr. 15 – Columbus, MO – Six Strings Concerts *
Apr. 16 – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage
May 26 – Houston, TX – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck*
Jun. 3 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic*
Jun. 4 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic*
Jun. 17-24 – Tecate, Mexico – Rancho La Puerta Folk Festival
Sep. 4-9 – Boone, NC – Antler’s & Acorns Songwriters Festival
Sep. 14 – Columbus, MS – Barn Concert Series !
*Supporting Mary Gauthier
^With Caitlin James
#With Pat Bryne
+ With Tim O’Brien, Jan Fabricius, and Mary Gauthier
! Supporting Jim Lauderdale
For all upcoming events and ticket information, please visit jaimeeharris.com/tour.