Kentucky musician Ben Sollee has shared the single “One More Day,” the latest sampling from his forthcoming new album Long Haul. The song addresses mental health, outreach, and hope.
The album, his first solo studio effort in seven years, comes out August 16, 2024 via sonaBlast! Recordings. On the album, Sollee draws from diverse influences, from nearby Appalachia and Muscle Shoals to the music of Polynesia and West Africa.
Sollee explains:
‘One More Day’ is dedicated to my long-time friend and musical brother Jordon Ellis, who chose to end his life in early 2023. The song is intended to be a tiny anthem for anyone struggling with depression to ‘give it one more day.’ The rhythm and energy is inspired by our many jams on and off stage.
The album title, Long Haul refers to Sollee’s battle with long COVID, which left him with “severe fatigue, body pain, cognitive impairment, vertigo, loss of smell and taste, and a deep well of anxiety and depression.” Through a change in diet and exercise, Sollee was able to overcome these symptoms.
Sollee shares:
I believe there is an innate intelligence within us that can serve as a compass in life. It is subtle, uncanny, and often ignored in the noise of living. Just like music, you need to tune yourself to the frequency of that inner-voice. In many ways, long-COVID was my teacher and I’m still learning to let go, be present, and listen.
On top of the battle with COVID, Sollee lost many people close to him during the pandemic. He sadly lost his mentor Jon Rieger, his father Bob Sollee, and his long-time musical partner Jordon Ellis. But all this presented Sollee with “opportunities for reflection and growth,” which he brings to Long Haul.
On top of fighting COVID and raising a family, Sollee has been scoring films such as LAND from director Robin Wright, and Maggie Moore(s), a John Slattery film featuring Tina Fey and Jon Hamm, as well as providing the score to the Peabody-nominated podcast Unreformed.
He has also worked further on charity work and community-building by launching Canopy, a non-profit organization that supports Kentucky businesses who positively impact their communities and the planet.
Ben Sollee On Tour:
8/28 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbirds
8/29 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
8/30 – Franklin, TN – Franklin Theater
8/31 – Knoxville, TN – Open Chord Music
9/11 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s Grandview
9/12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Midtown
9/13 – Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk
9/14 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
9/15 – Lexington, KY – The Harstad Fine Arts Series
9/21 – Nashville, TN – Americana Music Fest
9/24 – Murray, KY – Lovett Auditorium **
9/25 – Hopkinsville, KY – Christian County High School **
9/26 – Henderson, KY – Preston Arts Center **
9/27 – Paducah, KY – Barrel & Bond
** performing with Louisville Orchestra
