D.C. Maxwell is continuing his breakout year with a debut album.
The experimental pop artist will release Lone Rider next month, a collection of stories of “lives lived on the outskirts – from a horse thief who sees their lover killed, to an old woman whose greatest love was a man she hardly knew, and a bank robber betrayed by his hostages.”
Lone Rider was produced in close collaboration with Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels) and features contributions from established New Zealand musicians including The Beths‘ Liz Stokes.
The album features Maxwell’s lead single, “Leading Man”, which Rolling Stone AU/NZ hailed as “a remarkably assured debut, coolly stylish and lightly alluring.” It also contains the newly released title track, which tells the story of a grieving cowboy learning to cope with the loss of a lover.
“This song is about the choice you have to make when someone you love chooses to leave this world,” Maxwell says about the writerly track. “Do you stay on without them? Do you wallow in grief? Or do you choose to carry on, keeping them alive through the love you continue to hold for them in your heart?
“I think choosing to continue to exist while your heart is broken is noble, but god does it hurt. I wanted this song to acknowledge that choice, and the people all over the world that make it every day.”
Where “Leading Man” was a stomping, rambunctious number, the sound of someone confidently stepping into the limelight, Maxwell’s new single slips into quietly moving acoustic territory, the musician’s thoughtful songwriting coming to the fore.
Accompanying the track is a music video – directed by newcomer Jack O’Neil – that sees Maxwell and Dee the horse riding through the native bush of West Auckland; for an artist hugely influenced by classic country crooners like Glen Campbell and Townes Van Zandt, it’s a fitting role for Maxwell.
After memorably supporting Future Island at their Auckland show without releasing any music, Maxwell will embark on a short Australian tour armed with the songs of his debut album. He’ll showcase Lone Rider at shows in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne this September. His Australian sojourn will be bookended by shows in Wellington and Auckland (see full details below).
D.C. Maxwell’s “Lone Rider” is out now. Lone Rider (Album) is out August 18th via Danger Collective (pre-save/pre-order here).
D.C. Maxwell 2023 Australia & New Zealand Tour
Tickets available via dc-maxwell.com
August 25th
San Fran, Wellington, NZ
September 8th
Ric’s Bar, Brisbane, QLD
September 9th
Vic on the Park, Sydney, NSW
September 10th
Retreat Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
September 22nd
Saint Mary’s-in-Holy-Trinity, Auckland, NZ
