"Simple may have been the intention, but like the "Cutty" clip, what seems at first glance, or listen, to be one thing is on closer inspection more curious and dynamic. The whole of Going Steady is similarly rich."

Instrumental outfit North Americans have released digital-only bonus track "Gallup" from the new reissue of their acclaimed 2018 album Going Steady, out October 15, 2021 via Third Man Records. Stream the track and watch the visualizer HERE, pre-order the album on black vinyl HERE via Third Man, and pre-order via Bandcamp HERE (which will include two exclusive bonus tracks -- "Little Joy" and "Owens" -- on release day). Limited edition pink vinyl will be available in TMR storefronts and indie record stores. As with their most recent album -- 2020's Roped In (Third Man Records) -- Going Steady features artwork by Brian Blomerth.

Patrick McDermott began his North Americans project with two albums: 2013’s No_No, and 2015’s Legends. Both records were dense affairs, with blocks of sound shifting and moving like melting glaciers to create a gorgeous, impenetrable, collection of digital drones. Though they sounded nothing like what would come a bit later, both records showcased McDermott’s understanding of mood and composition. On 2018’s Going Steady, McDermott blended his love of American Primitive guitar playing with playful pieces that never overstayed their welcome. He also began collaborating with a wide range of artists: from Julianna Barwick to guitar prodigy Hayden Pedigo, as well as Cloud Nothings’ Dylan Baldi, and more. 

Two years later, McDermott released Roped In, a gorgeous, intimate, and often spare album that pulls back from the collaborative nature established on Going Steady for a collection of fragile drone pieces anchored by McDermott’s intricate but direct guitar playing and haunting pedal steel work from Portland, Oregon’s Barry Walker.

"Gallup" single artwork by Brian Blomerth

HEAR "GALLUP"

WATCH THE "GALLUP" VISUALIZER

PRE-ORDER GOING STEADY REISSUE VIA TMR

PRE-ORDER GOING STEADY REISSUE VIA BANDCAMP

Going Steady reissue on black and deluxe pink vinyl

"Originally released in 2018 in extremely limited numbers, Going Steady features North American's main man Patrick McDermott playing acoustic guitar and Moog alongside contributions from Meg Duffy, Juliana Barwick, Hayden Pedigo, Dylan Baldi, and Joel Williams creating a gorgeous dusky instrumental album of cosmic pastoral sounds. 

Each song on Going Steady glimmers and shines, and taken in it's entirety is like a beautiful sunset transforming into a star-filled evening. This album has soundtracked countless late-night conversations on my front porch in Tennessee, as well as the next morning's coffee and sunrise. It is the American Songbook read, ingested and transformed into something completely new for our post-everything world. 

Featuring ground-breaking artwork from underground artist, Brian Blomerth, Going Steady is an album to stimulate all of your senses, a gorgeous and centering listen and a much-needed album in any collection of freak-folk or acoustic American albums."

-Ben Swank

GOING STEADY (REISSUE)

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