Legendary musician and cultural historian Lenny Kaye is set to embark on a new chapter of his storied career with the announcement of his debut solo record, Goin’ Local. The album is scheduled for release on July 17 via Yep Roc Records.
At 79 years old, Kaye remains a towering figure in rock history. As a punk pioneer and the visionary curator behind the seminal garage-rock anthology Nuggets, his influence on the genre is immeasurable. Beyond his foundational work with the Patti Smith Group, Kaye has lent his talents to an eclectic array of artists, including Allen Ginsberg, Philip Glass, Suzanne Vega, Soul Asylum, Jessi Colter, and The Jim Carroll Band. His literary contributions, including his work on Waylon Jennings’ autobiography and his own recent memoir, Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll, further cement his status as a vital voice in music journalism.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the project, Kaye shared, “I’ve always loved the local, its intimacy and camaraderie… I feel that the truest ‘Goin’ Local’ is the privilege to go inside my own head and hear how I sound to me.”
The upcoming LP features a notable cast of collaborators. Longtime creative partner Patti Smith contributed to the songwriting on the track “Solstice.” The album also showcases the talents of jazz pianist Matthew Shipp, Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, The Jayhawks’ John Jackson, and multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield, whose resume includes work with Bob Dylan, T-Bone Burnett, and Lucinda Williams.
In anticipation of the album, Kaye will embark on a series of East Coast tour dates alongside Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Additionally, fans can look forward to his performance with the Patti Smith Group at the CBGB Festival this September.
Goin’ Local Track List
- Goin’ Local
- This Love
- If I Were You
- Let’s Make a Memory
- A Friend Like You
- Be That As It May (May Day)
- Solstice
- World Book Night
- Pennsylvania Girls
- Poppy
- The Things You Leave Behind
- Yes I Will