Canadian singer/songwriter Bob Sumner has announced upcoming album Some Place To Rest Easy, which was inspired by heroes who were human rather than abstractions and whose work continued to change over time.

He says:

All of my heroes, all the people that did it so well—whether it be George Jones or Willie, Waylon, whoever—they weren’t these museum pieces. They were always creating something new, something different.

Some of the unusual elements that Sumner brought into the new album include ambient sensibilities and synth tracks alongside strings, including a dobro, and steel guitar.

When it comes to themes, three of the tunes on Some Place to Rest Easy touch on the loss of multiple loved ones to alcoholism. These losses hold particular weight for Sumner, who left behind his own problematic path with drinking after a serious health diagnosis two years ago.

He’s recently released the single “Motel Room” as the album’s lead single. It’s a “lament for a friend so close he was considered a brother.”

Sumner comments:

It reminisces about the carefree days of youth when the drinking still held an aura of magic and adventure. The chorus, however, confronts the harsh reality of alcoholism. ‘But now you got your 2.6. of Bourbon and your party of one, and you’re drinking alone, and it’s 4 in the morning in a motel room.’

Some Place to Rest Easy will be released on September 6th, 2024 release on Fluff & Gravy Records (worldwide) and North Country Collective (Canada).

Sumner also just announced a trio of tour dates in the Pacific Northwest which can be found below or at bobsumnermusic.com.