The Hold Steady is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The band formed in 2003, four years after lead singer Craig Finn’s and guitarist Tad Kubler’s former band broke up. The band has released seven studio albums since then, as well as a live album in 2009 and several EPs. Despite forming in New York, the band is most beloved in Finn’s home of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In fact, the city honored the band through the creation of a mural outside of Minneapolis nightclub, First Avenue. Minnesota has played an important role in the band’s sound, particularly as Finn identifies St. Paul, Minnesota-based band Hüsker Du as being a huge influence. The Hold Steady is due to release their eighth studio album, Open Door Policy, in 2021. Their single from the album, “Family Farm”, distributed by Thirty Tigers, is Casey’s DJ Pick of the Week!
“Family Farm” opens with a powerful guitar riff from Kublar. It’s a fun, uptempo song that is guaranteed to bring the house down when live music returns! In an interview with Studio Gum, Finn shared about “Family Farm”‘s place within the band’s discography: “Songs are created a bunch of different ways in The Hold Steady, but to me, our most classic songs are driving rock songs with piano breaks. ‘Family Farm’ fits the bill.”
Finn went on to share about about the album’s meaning and themes. “This album was written and almost entirely recorded before the pandemic started, but the songs and stories explore power, wealth, mental health, technology, capitalism, consumerism, and survival – issues which have compounded in 2020.” The Hold Steady will ring in the new year with an important reflection on the lessons learned from this year, and we can’t wait to hear it!
Be sure to tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear The Hold Steady’s song “Family Farm”, featured as Casey’s DJ Pick of the Week. Be sure to let us know what you think! Tweet at us with #L100DJPick and share your take on the track.
