Dustin Kensrue Walks Down Memory Lane On Alt-Country Solo Single “Death Valley Honeymoon”
Singer/songwriter and Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue celebrates the announcement of his upcoming third solo album, Desert Dreaming, out April 5th, with the release of his latest single, "Death Valley Honeymoon." The track details the wild but true story of how Kensrue's grandparents met and recounts their honeymoon in the seemingly unlikely destination of Death Valley.
The alt-country single is leads with rustic, twangy, pedal steel-fueled vibes, all suiting Dustin's and his guest singer Cat Clyde's vocals and delivery well. Sentimental lyrics that see the duo take on the role of Kensure's grandparents throughout immerse the listener into the tale, guiding us through the past and having our hearts melt as we sonically follow the couple on their adventure through the desert.
"There were multiple moments while writing that I felt like I was channeling my grandparents' spirits in one way or another," says Kensrue. "Having Cat Clyde sing my grandmother's verse in the song really brought the whole thing home for me, and she absolutely nailed it. Even the actor who plays my grandpa in the video showed up on set and gave me and my sister a start when we saw how eerily his face and smile made him resemble my mom's dad."
The accompanying music video, directed by Andrew van Baal, is an equally sentimental and sweet visual that shows the heartwarming story of a newlywed couple celebrating their love at a Death Valley saloon. The nostalgic, analog footage is intercut with clips of Kensure joined by Cat Clyde soulfully singing and strumming their guitars as the couple dance and check into their room for the night.
The album is an epic alt/country experience, summoning the spirit of the American southwest, flush with tremolo guitar and shuffling percussion that echoes off canyon walls. Produced by Dustin and made with upright bassist Seth Richardson, pedal steel guitarist Abe Levy, and drummer James McAlister, the LP is set in the American Southwest, with Dustin sharing that "the setting really is the main character of the record."
Check out Dustin Kensure's latest single, "Death Valley Honeymoon," today!
