Most new listeners of The Handsome Family were probably introduced to their music courtesy of Wilco’s and later Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “So Much Wine.” Or perhaps maybe they heard them via their song “Far From Any Road” which was the opening theme for HBO’s True Detective season. However, older listeners have sworn patronage to this husband-wife duo for decades, making them one of the most cherished dark Americana duos this side of Low.
The Handsome Family (songwriting and marriage partners Brett and Rennie Sparks) have been defining the dark end of America for over 30 years. Their eleventh studio album, Hollow (out Sep. 8, 2023) delves into the natural world at the edges of the man-made. It is a record lush with leaves and shadows and echoing with occult mystery and might be their most fully realized album yet.
“We’re astonished to be breathing,” Rennie says about the band’s longevity, “Let alone still be inspired to write songs and sing together. There’s been a lot of smashed coffee cups in our house over the years, but we’re still unable to resist the urge to make music.”
Glide is premiering the intrepid new track “Skunks,” off Hollow which travels with a cryptic immediacy and unravels with the dark charm The Handsome Family has perfected.
‘Skunks’ was inspired by the family of skunks that moved into the crawl space under our bedroom. They would growl and aggressively fart anytime we ventured into the closet. It was a problem,” says Rennie about the new track.
