[Cover photo credit to Samantha Kniskern]
The band American Aquarium has released new single “Can’t Into Could” along with a live play video. It hails from the band’s new album, New Ways to Lose. The Rock track is “an ode to the resilience” that the bandleader BJ Barham has had over his 20 year career, “forging a successful career on his own terms via a completely DIY ethos.”
Barham explains:
The first line of this song was inspired by long-time NC State sports announcer Gary Hahn. Anytime the Wolfpack would blow a huge lead or fall short of a heroic comeback he would calmly say on the air that the Pack ‘invented a new way to lose’ or ‘once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.’ I find a lot of correlation between those sports analogies and my early career. Just not being able to get out of my own way and let the win happen. There’s a running joke in our band that if you want to watch BJ do something, tell him he can’t do it. Twenty years in, I’ve built my career on proving people wrong and doing so on my own terms. This is a personal favorite of mine that serves as my daily reminder that the game isn’t over until I stop playing.
The new album was Produced by multi-time Grammy winner Shooter Jennings, and recorded in Los Angeles over a 10-day session. Much of the record was tracked live, with Jennings encouraging spontaneity, while a round of overdubs offered the opportunity to add three-part harmonies and horn arrangements to the songs.
For Barham, who formed the band in 2006 in Raleigh, North Carolina, the album is a snapshot of the band, but also a personal turning point, too, capturing his maturity where he is able to confront “the dark corners of the human experience.”
American Aquarium 2026 Tour Dates
August 13 – Floyd, VA – Warren G. Lineberry Park
August 14 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
August 15 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
August 16 – Washington DC – Union Stage
August 17 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
August 18 – New York, NY – Racket
August 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall
August 20 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
August 21 – Des Moines, IA – xBk
August 22 – Lincoln, NE – Memorial Stadium
September 3 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall
September 4 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
September 5 – Snowshoe, WV – Snowshoe Mountain Resort – Ballhooter Festival
September 6 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
September 7 – Philadelphia, PA – World Stage
September 8 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
September 9 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag
September 10 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
September 11 – Madison, IN – Unbroken Circle Festival
September 12 – St. Louis, MO – The Old Rockhouse
September 13 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
September 15 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rhythm Room
September 16 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre
September 17 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
September 18 – Bend, OR – Silver Moon Brewery
September 19 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
September 20 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
September 22 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Boise
September 23 – Bozeman, MT – Tune Up Bar
September 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell
September 25 – Denver, CO – Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
September 26 – Lubbock, TX – Cactus Theater
September 27 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom
September 28 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall – 1884 Lounge
October 22 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads – The Saloon
October 23 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
October 24 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
October 25 – Saint Paul, MN – Turf Club
October 26 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
October 27 – Davenport, IA – Racoon Motel
October 28 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre
October 29 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation
October 30 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe
October 31 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi Indy
November 1 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
November 7 – Groningen, NL – Take Root Festival
November 8 – Hassocks, UK – Mid Sussex Music Hall
November 9 – London, UK – The 100 Club
November 10 – Cambridge, UK – Mash
November 11 – Manchester, UK – New Century
November 12 – Bristol, UK – Thekla
November 28 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
November 29 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
November 30 – Orlando, FL – The Social
December 1 – Mobile, AL – The Merry Widow
December 2 – New Orleans, LA – Chickie Wah Wah
December 3 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
December 6 – Wichita, KS – WAVE
December 7 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
December 8 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
December 9 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern
December 10 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
December 11 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room – Greenville
