Happy December, readers! It is now officially the holiday season so gather around the decorated fireplace, grab a cup of marshmallows (with just a splash of cocoa), and let’s talk about this week’s neighborhood jam band that is Finch! Now Finch has a lot of projects in the making right now, and it’s pretty exciting to see what’s in store for the next couple of months. But they just released an album that was a complete surprise to fans.

Finch is originally from Temecula, California, not too far from San Diego State University. The members of the band are Nate Barcalow, Randy Strohmeyer, Alex Linares, Daniel Wonacott and Alex Pappas, and together they are releasing a new, but old, album. This post-hardcore band did a surprise release of their album Steel, Wood And Whiskey, an 11-song album featuring acoustic versions of songs from throughout their career. It’s almost like a best of album because you will be able to hear some Finch classics like What It Is To Burn, Letters To You, Fireflies, and my personal favorite, Without You Here. The album just came out, and you can listen to it here for free. The album is a pay-what-you-want digital download. I highly recommend donating a couple of bucks so you can truly appreciate these acoustic tunes.

Now I mentioned that they were cooking up a couple of surprises. Along with the release of Steel, Wood, And Whiskey the band will go on a five-stop promotional tour where they will play both acoustic and a full electric set. Souvenirs and Casey Bolles will join the guys for all five shows – which are actually just around the corner! They are performing at:

Dec 10 – Los Angeles at The Troubadour
Dec 11 – San Diego at The Irenic (Buy tickets here!)
Dec 12 – Bakersfield at B-Ryders
Dec 13 – Las Vegas at Backstage Bar
Dec 14 – Phoenix at The Crescent Ballroom
I am particularly interested in this new album because they are bringing back their classics but in a totally new revamped way. I love acoustic versions of songs, and Finch has got it down. I can only imagine that December 11th’s show here is going to be filled with anticipation as the band plays acoustically, and the audience waits for lead singer Barcalow to start belting out those lyrics. After this mini tour the band will then enter the studio this winter to begin recording their 4th full-length album that will be released in 2016. I can’t wait to hear some brand new tunes – maybe they’ll give us an early holiday gift and play a new song or two at their show. I can only wish!
Photo Credit: Finch