It may only be April, but it’s already been quite an impactful year for songwriter/actress/author Lola Kirke. In the past few months, she’s released her memoir Wild West Village via Simon & Schuster, appeared in the the new Michael B. Jordan thriller, Sinners, and unveiled her third full-length album, Trailblazer.
Released in March on One Riot Records, Trailblazer showcases her musical growth, blending country, rock, and introspective storytelling along with production from writer/producer Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves). “I wrote a lot of this album while writing my book, sitting in a trailer between scenes of a movie I was acting in, in which my character was covered in fake blood, which I don’t entirely recommend as it’s very sticky,” Kirke revealed.
Amidst it all, she’s also found the time to take Trailblazer on the road for a series of live dates across North America. She just wrapped up the first leg of the tour in her hometown of New York City last week, and took us behind the scenes of her experience headlining the famed Bowery Ballroom for our “Backstage Camera Roll” series with her personal captions and photos by Kimberley Ross.
The tour picks back up again on June 5 in Nashville, and culminates on the West Coast with dates at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on June 19 and Soda Bar in San Diego on June 20. Check her full tour dates here, and revisit her FLOOD “Neighborhoods” live session on a balcony on the Sunset Strip here.
My custom suit. It’s vintage Thierry Mugler, but I had the wildly talented Rosecut Clothing embroider it with Easter eggs from my album Trailblazer. I wear it everywhere. Even to sleep. But only when I’ve drank too much whiskey.
Soundcheck boots.
The wonderful Nick Larimore, pedal steel extraordinaire and guitar wizard, being charmed by my baby sister from another mister, Cally Mansfield.
It is impossible not to laugh in the company of Cat Cohen. Even when it is the last show of tour and your voice has the limitations of an old man who has smoked his whole life. I feel so lucky I got to have her on this bill.
Getting a little preshow line dance in!
Line dancing legend Tenaya Kelleher’s custom spurs. We’ve collaborated on a few events, and she choreographed the dance for ’He Says Y’all.” I am grateful for her!
The lovely Clare Green warming up before the show.
Tenaya, in action, warming up the crowd.
Taking care of business.
She’s ready.
Sweatin’ and sangin’.
Teaching the crowd yet another dance. I want them to get their steps in!
It wouldn’t be an evening with Lola Kirke unless I forced you to listen to both my music and my book.
Mid-set costume change: a pizza costume I wore for Halloween in 10th grade. Don’t ask why.
Drummer Sean Allison being, of course, 2 Damn Sexy in my merch.
I hate to be redundant, but…
The things of which I am most proud: my book and my merch.
