Dar Williams Goes In Search of the Promised Land

Videos by American Songwriter

The word “troubadour” conjures images of world-weary road warriors, guitars slung on their aching backs as they make their way from place to place spinning their yarn in the form of folk songs.

And while singer/songwriter Dar Williams’ upcoming tour might not fit an archetype so archaic, it holds true to the folk tradition in its focus on what’s really important: the music.

Williams is preparing to hit the road in support of her latest album Promised Land, a collection of tunes produced by Brad Wood (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, Ben Lee). Her songwriting is best described as subtle substance—always telling a story, injecting meaning, but doing so in a way that’s never trite nor contrived.

“With every album, I’m trying to figure out what I don’t have to say, while still giving each song its due,” Williams said in a press release. “On Promised Land, I was paring the stories down to their core.”

Marshall Lewis, Suzanne Vega and Gary Louris (of Jayhawks fame) all guest on “Promised Land.”

The tour kicks off August 5 in Bethlehem, PA.

“Promised Land” Tour Dates:

Wednesday, August 5: Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA

Thursday, August 6: The Talkhouse in Amagansett, NY

Friday, August 7: Lowell Summer Music Series in Lowell, MA

Saturday, August 8: L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series in Freeport, ME

Sunday, August 9: Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT

Tuesday, August 11: Is Venue in Charlottesville, VA

Thursday, August 13: Capital Ale House in Richmond, VA

Friday, August 14: The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC

Saturday, August 15: Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA