SONG PREMIERE: Ian Fisher Offers Unique Take On Soul Music With “Idle Hands”

Raised in rural Missouri and living in Europe for the last 10 years, singer-songwriter Ian Fisher has written over a thousand songs and played almost as many concerts. This self-taught indie musician was schooled by his dad’s record collection in the songwriting of the 1970s and is inspired by his love for country and folk music. With a degree in political science and a decade’s worth of touring around the world behind him, Fisher’s unabashed voice sings words that hide complexity in simplicity and blur the line between personal and political.

With his new album Idle Hands (PRE-ORDER), due out August 31, Fisher confidently establishes himself as a modern songwriter with a classic touch. The songs are inspired by the writing and rhythm of the ’70s and artists such as Bill Withers, Fleetwood Mac and Jackson Browne. The production builds on the work of contemporary groups like Timber Timbre, Andy Shauf and Jason Isbell. Fresh off of a wild Italian tour, Fisher and his band recorded the rhythm section and lead vocals live together in East Berlin, Germany. String arrangements and pedal steel guitar were later added with the final touch being the tasteful backing vocals of Danish singer Ida Wenøe. This mixture makes for an album that sounds immediate, varied and lively at its core with delicate details surrounding it on all sides.

As the old saying goes, idle hands do the devil’s work. Thus, obviously the complacency of being left behind and to your own devices is a recurring theme throughout the record. Fisher reminds us of how we make ourselves useful by creating our own challenges to overcome.

Today Glide is excited to offer an early taste of the album with an exclusive premiere of its title track. Slow and soulful, the song feels simultaneously retro and fresh in a style that brings to mind the slower work of Dan Auerbach. Fisher’s love of blue-eyed soul and his attention to the detail that goes into arrangements is on full display. He adds a unique twist with the addition of pedal steel guitar, bringing just enough twang into the mix. If “Idle Hands” is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like, then we are in for a treat. 

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, Fisher has this to say:

“When I wrote this song I felt left behind by love, but the more I sing it, the more I feel that being left behind to our own devices and fearing the future is the general zeitgeist of the contemporary western world. Whether it’s by your partner or by an economic system, I think everyone feels left behind sometimes. Rising from our idle restlessness, we busy ourselves with the problems we create.”

LISTEN:

Ian Fisher’s Idle Hands will be available August 31st on vinyl, CD, digital and streaming formats via his own imprint, Ian Fisher Music.

Photo credit: David Johnson