Photo by Laurie Fanelli
Bruce Hornsby is on the verge of releasing his first album in three years. The new LP, Absolute Zero, which debuts next month, will spotlight a host of special guests including Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, who is featured on the pianist and singer’s newly released single “Cast-Off.” Listen to the song, co-written by Vernon, in the official lyric video below.
Hornsby, in a recent statement, described “Cast-Off” as “a song about acceptance and even gratitude in the face of rejection, egolessness, patience and humility.” Elaborating on the track, he had this to say:
“This song was put together in Eau Claire, WI last April, starting with an unused film cue, developed and expanded upon in the studio with spontaneous contributions from Sean Carey (who just walked in and started singing), Jeremy Ylvisaker (playing guitar that doesn’t sound like guitar!), Mike Lewis and JT Bates on sax and drums, Brad Cook (and later Noisemaker JV Collier) on bass, and Justin and I taking turns in the vocal booth trading ideas and melodies. Pretty much, mostly concocted right there at April Base!”
Hornsby and Vernon previously collaborated on a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River” on the 2016 cover album Day of the Dead. Vernon also sang backup vocals on Hornsby’s song “Over the Rise” from 2016’s Rehab Reunion.
Hornby’s new album Absolute Zero arrives April 12. To pre-order, visit Hornsby’s official website.