Photo by Robby Kline
Tim Easton Shares New Single «Speed Limit»
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tim Easton has released has released a new single «Speed Limit» , the latest track from his upcoming record «You Don't Really Know Me», due out August 27 on Black Mesa Records.
«This is a healing song that is played with a lot of energy to remind you to slow down», Tim Easton notes. «It’s the first tune where my daughter helped sort out some lyrics as well. Both my mother and father make an appearance in this one, so the family theme is established further»
The track is Easton’s third and final pre-release single from «You Don’t Really Know Me»,his tenth studio album and first release on Black Mesa Records. In July, his anthemic, intensely personal track «Real Revolution» premiered at The Boot, along with its accompanying music video. Rolling Stone Country named it one of their Best Songs of the Week, calling it «a rambunctious ode to demanding (and making) a change».
I wrote this tune while on tour when I was stuck in a loop of despair», Easton says of «Real Revolution». «I had experienced one too many breakdowns in communication and was feeling like I needed to start all over again, which I did. The real revolution is the one that can take place inside all of us».
In June, Easton shared the title track of his upcoming LP at Holler, which Easton notes as «easily the most personal tune I’ve ever written». The track also earned additional coverage from No Depression, Glide Magazine, The Alternate Root and more.
Blending elements from Americana, rock and the blues, «You Don’t Really Know Me» marks a pivotal new chapter in Easton’s already incredible career. For over 20 years, he has earned a devoted following for his sharp lyricism and electric stage presence. A longtime warrior of the road, Easton has played alongside greats like Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams. After years of long tours and busy schedules, Easton found himself at a crossroads. «You Don’t Really Know Me» finds Easton with a new perspective, acknowledging his missteps but determined to push forward.
«In some ways, it’s a recovery album», says the singer/songwriter, who wrote the bulk of «You Don’t Really Know Me»> the national quarantine of 2020. «Not only recovery from a vice, but also recovery from a divorce and a destructive, rambling life of self-centred gratification. It’s a peaceful, positive, loving album — an album about personal revolution».
Easton recruited friends and fellow stalwarts of the Nashville music scene for the record, including producers Tommy Scifres (Aaron Lee Tasjan) and Robin Eaton (Jill Sobule) who also worked on Easton’s 1998 debut record, «Special 20», and a special appearance by Nikki Barber (the Minks). Easton’s vocals were recorded alongside the band’s performances, resulting in an organic album that captures not only the spread of his abilities, but the breadth of his musical inspiration, too. There are Leadbelly-influenced protest songs («Son My Son»), caffeinated folk-rock anthems («Speed Limit»), moving tributes to John Prine («Voice On The Radio») and Justin Townes Earle (the Great American Songbook-worthy «River Where Time Was Born»), and anthemic rallying cries for communion and camaraderie («Festival Song»). Throughout it all, Easton sings each line in a voice that’s textured by years of touring and emboldened by his newfound peace of mind.
Rejuvenated by sobriety and solace, he’s moving forward with conviction, punctuating his personal music with universal messages. «You Don’t Really Know Me» finds him making peace with the past and focusing on the present. «Gone are the wistful, drunken wanderer tunes of the past», he explains. «These are songs for today» And today, Easton is feeling good.