Out now on La Honda Records/RCA Records; Emerson’s tour continues tonight in Elkton, MD
“This East Texan troubadour-tradition inheritor brings a rebellious sense of history and keen-eyed lyrical perspective to modern Americana.” – No Depression
November 10, 2023 – San Antonio, TX – “I’ve always found the combination of country and rock interesting, looking at people like Gram Parsons, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young,” says Texas-based, Choctaw-Apache songwriter and recording artist Vincent Neil Emerson about the inspiration behind his new album, The Golden Crystal Kingdom—out now via La Honda Records/RCA Records. “There’s a few country-inspired songs on this one, a few stripped-down acoustic songs, and a few songs inspired by that 60s folk rock movement.” Written over the span of a few months, shortly before The Golden Crystal Kingdom recording sessions began, the twelve-song collection marks a more overdriven departure from Emerson’s previous efforts. “This album is set apart from my other two by the louder sounds we captured in the studio,” he says. “It’s not a Honky Tonk album, and it’s not a folk album. It’s not just one genre. It’s just a mixture of some of the things I like about music.”
Produced by Shooter Jennings with some of his tried and true session musician compadres, The Golden Crystal Kingdom carries a California country sound much like the aforementioned combination Emerson has long been fond of. “I was listening to a lot of rock & roll music from the 60s and 70s when I came up with these songs,” he remembers. And Jennings’ studio alchemy helped bring them to life in the modern age. “I’m proud and lucky to say that Shooter Jennings produced this album, not just because he’s a great producer that really understood the songs, but because he’s one of the most genuine people I know,” says Emerson. “I’m also proud to call him a friend.”
Fans can stream or purchase The Golden Crystal Kingdom today at this link and check out Emerson’s music videos for “Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint,” “The Golden Crystal Kingdom,” and “Time of the Rambler” at their respective links. Emerson and his band are currently on the road with stops this weekend in Elkton, Maryland, New York City, and Philadelphia. A full list of tour dates can be found below and at vincentneilemerson.com.
The Golden Crystal Kingdom In The News:
In their review of The Golden Crystal Kingdom, No Depression stated that “Kingdom is the strongest and most complete artistic statement yet from Emerson,” adding, “Like his obvious contemporaries in [Charlie] Crockett, Brent Cobb, and Colter Wall, this East Texan troubadour-tradition inheritor brings a rebellious sense of history and keen-eyed lyrical perspective to modern Americana, insisting that there’s an exciting next chapter to be told.”
Grammy.com interviewed Emerson ahead of the release of The Golden Crystal Kingdom, calling the album “a set of moving, stripped-down songs, each of which illuminate a small slice of the human experience.”
PopMatters gave The Golden Crystal Kingdom and 8 out of 10 review, highlighting Jennings’ production and Emerson’s delivery. “While Jennings lets the steel guitar and other instruments wail, he intermittently adds rough edges. Emerson takes advantage of this by keeping his voice at an even keel. This accentuates the harshness of his character’s experiences. He’s not complaining. Emerson sounds like he just wants to keep on moving on.”
Stereogum noted The Golden Crystal Kingdom as an album to look out for this week.
Emerson joined journalists Marissa Moss and Natalie Weiner for a Don’t Rock The Inbox Q&A about Reservation Dogs, the new album, and his Texas roots.
The Golden Crystal Kingdom Tracklisting:
Time of the Rambler
The Golden Crystal Kingdom
Time of the Cottonwood Trees
I’ll Meet You in Montana
Hang Your Head Down Low
Cod’ine
Blackland Prairies
On the Banks of the Old Guadalupe
The Man From Uvalde
Voices (On the Spanish Isle)
Clover on the Hillside
Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint
Catch Vincent Neil Emerson On Tour:
NOV 10, 2023 – Elkton Music Hall – Elkton, MD
NOV 11, 2023 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
NOV 15, 2023 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
NOV 16, 2023 – The Southern Café and Music Hall – Charlottesville, VA
NOV 17, 2023 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC
NOV 18, 2023 – New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC
NOV 19, 2023 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
NOV 21, 2023 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
DEC 9, 2023 – Antone’s Nightclub – Austin, TX
For ticket information, please visit vincentneilemerson.com.
More About Vincent Neil Emerson: The Golden Crystal Kingdom is the follow-up to Emerson’s first two LPs, Fried Chicken & Evil Women and Vincent Neil Emerson, from 2019 and 2021 respectively, which established him as a refreshing voice in the Texas songwriter landscape. From humble beginnings booking his own barbecue joint shows to touring with label mate Colter Wall and fellow Texan Charley Crocket (of whose he covers on this release, “Time of the Cottonwood Trees”), Emerson built a career the old-fashioned way, bar gig by bar gig, singular music fan by singular music fan.
The Golden Crystal Kingdom shares more of the man behind the artist than any of his previous records, his songwriting and heritage on proud display throughout the new album.
Download a press photo by Thomas Crabtree and the album artwork.
