Derik Hultquist Partners With Frank Liddell, Eric Masse on Debut Album 'Southern Iron'

Singer/songwriter Derik Hultquist will release his full-length debut 'Southern Iron' June 17 through Carnival Music/Thirty Tigers.

The album's title, 'Southern Iron,' comes from a gym his father, Chip Hultquist, owned in Tallahassee, Florida years ago. "It represents the triumph of wills that have given me strength in the face of life's unanswerable questions," Derik says. In the past few years, his family lost Hultquist's grandmother and her sister to cancer. His maternal grandmother also battled it, as has his close friend Tina Kraft.

"My father, who's had not one, but two types of cancer at the same time, is in treatment now," says Hultquist. 'Southern Iron' seemed an appropriate title for a man who is most assuredly the strongest person I have ever known. This album is dedicated to him, my grandmother, my family and those fighting the good fight with the greatest appreciation and endless love."

Frank Liddell (Brandi Carlile, Miranda Lambert, Aubrie Sellers) and Eric Masse (Mikky Ekko, Rayland Baxter, Robert Ellis) produced 'Southern Iron,' recording it at Masse's Casino Studio in East Nashville.

Taking a break from the headier material on the album, Hultquist proves that life for the sake of life is also a formula for a good time. His premiere track (4.8 iTunes) -- the rollicking "1983" -- dares listeners to try not to dance.

"Frank and Eric were great to work with. Recording was a blast because we did a lot of interesting things in the studio. We used dynamic and old ribbon mics on the entire record. We recorded my vocals through Telefunken U47 and Shure SM7s for that 'I'm whispering in your ear' effect," said Hultquist.

"We chose Luke Reynolds for guitars because he's open to trying different sounds and naturally thinks beyond chords and solos," said Masse. "Jordan Lehning brought it all together with his string arrangements."

"When we met Derik three years ago, we knew he was someone special," said Liddell. "He's a prolific writer. He solely wrote all but one song for this album, and each of the songs on his prior EPs." His last EP, 'Mockingbirds Mouth,' earned him widespread attention leading to a booking deal with Paradigm and consistent tour dates, including opening slots for complementary heavy hitters like Sturgill Simpson at The Troubadour.

His mellow tenor is easy but plush, forgoing flash for subtlety. That's not to say he doesn't enjoy the occasional surprise attack, carried out via moody escalations and gravelly, provocative whispers. Each of the 12 songs flirts with psychedelic and roots rock without committing, carving out its own robust pop soundscape.

'Southern Iron' Track Listing:

1. Darkside of Town

2. Garden of Roses

3. 1983

4. Strangeness Of The Vine

5. Racing To A Red Light

6. My New Orleans

7. Falling Out Of Love

8. Back When I Was Young

9. Devil's In The Details

10. Highline Poles

11. One Horse Town

12. American Highway 

Derik Hultquist Tour Dates: 

Wed., June 22 - New York, NY at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2

Fri., June 24 - Washington, D.C. at Hill Country DC

Wed., June 29 - Decatur, GA at Eddie's Attic

Sat., July 16 - Oklahoma City, OK at 89th Street Collective*

Sun., July 17 - Saint Louis, MO at Duck Room*

Mon., July 18 - Covington, KY at Madison Live*

Mon., July 25 - Portland, OR at One Longfellow Square*

Tues., July 26 - South Burlington, VT at Higher Ground*

Wed., July 27 - Asbury Park, NJ at The Saint* 

Thurs., July 28 - Charlottesville, VA at The Southern*

Fri., July 29 - Charleston, SC at The Royal American*

* denotes tour dates with Matthew Logan Vasquez

Follow Derik Hultquist Here:

Official Website: derikhultquist.com

Facebook: facebook.com/derikhultquistmusic

Twitter: twitter.com/derikhultquist

Instagram: instagram.com/derik_hultquist