Photo: Michelle Yoon

Tomberlin hashes out relationship uncertainty on the frustrated and fuzzy “happy accident”, announces new album

Tomberlin has announced that she will release her new album i don’t know who needs to hear this… on April 29 through Saddle Creek. She shared the (sort of) title track just a few weeks ago and today gives us a second taster called “happy accident”.

She reveals about the song:

“‘happy accident’ is a song about relational obscurity. Trying to sort out who you are or who you were to someone. Is this relationship romantic or is it just sex? Do you want to spend time with me or are you just bored? Do I make my own decisions that are good for me or are my decisions predominantly based on what I think you might want or need? I was kind of walking through moments in previous relationships in my life. I wanna know why someone wants to get to know me. Do you want to know me or just your idea of me? Do I want to know you or just my idea of you?”

Well, Tomberlin’s way out of the church now and has dived headfirst into dating life, which brings its own particular trials. She hones in on this one particularly frustrating grey area with blunt precision, demanding straight away “what’s the point of this if I know how it ends?” To match her frustration Tomberlin has employed a fuller, fuzzier sound than we’ve heard from her before, washes of guitar (played by Cass McCombs) wavering over the strident drumming (from Told Slant). This muscular sound animates her dejected admission “walk five miles from my door just to give you some more,” and adds extra fire beneath her voice when she hits a peak, yelping “don’t you dare me to / I could leave in the night”. It’s the true opening of a new chapter for Tomberlin and we’re excited to be along for the ride.

Watch Tomberlin become an avenging warrior in the video for “happy accident” below, or find the song 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 BandcampTwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

She’s also announced all these dates:

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 *

^ Solo shows
* Full band shows w/ Jana Horn