Lenny Kaye Shares New Track “Solstice” Co-Written With Patti Smith, Continuing A Decades-Long Musical Partnership
Debut Solo Album ‘Goin’ Local’ Out July 17 Via Yep Roc
West Coast Tour Dates With Dave Alvin And Jimmie Dale Gilmore Announced For July
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Photo credit: Bob Gruen | Download high-res HERE |
May 20, 2026: Lenny Kaye has unveiled new track “Solstice,” from his forthcoming solo debut album Goin’ Local, out July 17 on Yep Rec Records. Co-written with Patti Smith, “Solstice” continues an ongoing, multi-decade artistic partnership between them that has encompassed classics from “Free Money” to “Ghost Dance” and “Radio Ethiopia” to “Southern Cross.” Of the song, Lenny states: "I wrote ‘Solstice’ with Patti Smith. Our collaboration continues a long history together across many of our shared works."
At 79, the bonafide punk pioneer and “godfather of garage rock” (NPR Music) is stepping forward with a deeply personal collection written over the course of many years - weaving together a lifetime of experiences and expansive musical language to find his truest voice. “I feel like I’m a new artist,” says Kaye. “I think this album will surprise those who think they know me from what I’ve done previously.”
Listen to “Solstice” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TJHlOvrrN0
Pre-save ‘Goin’ Local’ here: https://lennykaye.lnk.to/GoinLocal
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Kaye announced the collection last month with title track “Goin’ Local,” which Rolling Stone said “shows off a new side of the legendary musician” in an exclusive feature here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/patti-smith-guitarist-lenny-kaye-solo-debut-1235551811/
Combining “downtown rock with gentle, playful story-songs that swerve toward an almost Buddy Holly-ish melodic sweetness” (Rolling Stone), the twelve song collection finds Kaye fully embracing his expansive musical sensibility, while marking his most autobiographical and introspective turn yet. In addition to Patti Smith, Kaye calls upon collaborators including jazz pianist Matthew Shipp, Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, The Jayhawks’ John Jackson and multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, T-Bone Burnett, Lucinda Williams).
In a career spanning more than half a century, Kaye has remained defiantly uncategorizable. The longest-serving member of the Patti Smith Group, he has also curated the seminal garage rock anthology Nuggets – “one of the most influential compilations ever” (The Guardian) – co-wrote Waylon Jennings’ autobiography, penned music to Allen Ginsberg’s poetry alongside Paul McCartney and Philip Glass - and produced projects for Suzanne Vega, Soul Asylum, Jessi Colter and more.
‘Goin’ Local’ follows Kaye’s recent memoir Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll (Ecco), an insider’s chronicle of twentieth century music, tracing pivotal scenes from Memphis and New Orleans to Liverpool, Seattle, New York and more. Kaye explores the moments and visionaries that shaped rock’s evolution - all of which he carries through to the forthcoming record, reflecting on the “you-are-there and then taken somewhere” ethos that has defined his life in music.
Following a run of East Coast shows with Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore this spring, Kaye has announced that he’ll reunite with the duo for a series of West Coast dates this July. He’ll also be performing with the Patti Smith Group at CBGB Festival this September. For more information please visit: https://www.yeproc.com/
Lenny Kaye Tour Dates
June 26-27 - Dex Fest - Carrboro, NC
July 12 - Lobero Theater - Santa Barbara, CA*
July 14 - The Siren - Morro Bay, CA*
July 15 - Moe's Alley - Santa Cruz, CA*
July 17 - Harlow's - Sacramento, CA*
July 18 - The Freight - Berkeley, CA*
July 19 - Rancho Nicasio - Nicasio, CA
September 26 - CBGB Festival - New York, NY (w/ Patti Smith)
* with Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore
‘Goin Local’ Track List
1. Goin’ Local
2. This Love
3. If I Were You
4. Let’s Make a Memory
5. A Friend Like You
6. Be That As It May (May Day)
7. Solstice
8. World Book Night
9. Pennsylvania Girls
10. Poppy
11. The Things You Leave Behind
12. Yes I Will
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Photo credit: Bob Gruen | Download high-res HERE |
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