We’re speeding toward the release of Sarah Beth Tomberlin‘s second album at the end of April, and with the singles “idkwntht” and “happy accident” in the rearview, we’re now presented with “tap”. Tomberlin introduces the song by saying:
“It was January 2021, my first pandemic winter in New York, when I wrote this song. I was investigating the things that help in connecting me to myself. I was taking a lot of big 10, sometimes 14 mile walks through the city trying to find my center, while also trying to get ideas and inspiration flowing. It was quite a lonely, uninspiring time and lots of disconnection, so on my walks I tended to observe parts of city life that people were lacking in or sometimes risking for connection. This song shifts through scenes of what does connect and disconnect me from myself. It’s funny because I think releasing music to be consumed by the public does both very strongly for me.”
“tap” starts in a place we all recognise – pandemic or no – and that’s scrolling through social media “until I hate myself” as Tomberlin puts it. The singer quickly picks up and starts to travel through the city, the song’s pattering rhythm animating the wintry walk. Along the way, Tomberlin sketches a series of vivid vignettes, from admiring tall trees to talking to strangers to people playing songs for babies in the park. She reflects these images back on herself, and while there is acknowledgement of the disconnection, we feel more connected to her than ever through sly asides and quiet admissions of her weariness. Although it reaches some low ebbs, “tap” keeps winding along and you can hear her spirit subtly lifting as the song warms and gently sweeps her up with subtle atmospherics supporting the susurrations of her guitar.
Watch the video for “tap” below or find it on streaming platforms.
Tomberlin’s new album i don’t know who needs to hear this… will be out on April 29 through Saddle Creek (pre-order/save). You can find her on Bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
April 20, 2022 Paris, FR @ L’Archipel ^
April 21, 2022 Utrecht, NL @ Kromme Haring ^
April 22, 2022 Dortmund, DE @ Kino im U ^
April 25, 2022 Berlin, DE @ Prachtwerk ^
April 26, 2022 Leipzig, DE @ Horns Erben ^
April 27, 2022 Brussels, BE @ Botanique ^
April 28, 2022 Margate, UK @ Caves ^
April 29, 2022 Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade ^
May 1, 2022 Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club ^
May 2, 2022 Manchester, UK @ Yes (Basement) ^
May 3, 2022 Edinburgh, UK @ Voodoo Rooms ^
May 4, 2022 Birmingham, UK @ Cuban Embassy ^
May 5, 2022 London, UK @ St Matthias Church ^
May 6, 2022 Cardiff, UK @ Clwb for Bach ^
May 7, 2022 Brighton, UK @ Kmedia Studio ^
May 8, 2022 Dublin, IE @ The Grand Social ^
May 13, 2022 Somerville, MA @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre *
May 14, 2022 Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA *
May 16, 2022 Montréal, QC, Canada @ Bar Le Ritz PDB *
May 17, 2022 Toronto, ON, Canada @ The Baby G *
May 18, 2022 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern *
May 20, 2022 Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village *
May 21, 2022 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry *
May 22, 2022 Des Moines, IA @ xBk
May 25, 2022 Boise, ID @ The Shredder *
May 26, 2022 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios *
May 27, 2022 Vancouver, BC, Canada Wise Hall *
May 28, 2022 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile – Madame Lou’s *
Jun 01, 2022 Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room *
Jun 02, 2022 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar *
Jun 04, 2022 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
Jun 05, 2022 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *
Jun 07, 2022 Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar *
Jun 08, 2022 Columbus, OH @ Natalie’s Grandview *
Jun 09, 2022 Washington, DC @ Songbyrd Music House *
Jun 10, 2022 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
