Sam Amidon announces new album for February 2027

Sam Amidon has announced a new album, Willing Brother Knowing, which will be released on February 26, 2027.

The folk musician released the LP's first single 'Innisfree' today, Tuesday, November 10, along with a music video directed by Allyn Quigley.

The song takes inspiration from W.B Yeat's 1889 poem of the same name, and features uilleann pipes performed by Isaac Alderson and Thomas Bartlett on piano.

In a post on Instagram, Amidon explained the creation of the track.

"'Innisfree' is my musical setting of the Yeats poem 'The Lake Isle Of Innisfree' which I put to music as part of a Thomas Bartlett-curated Yeats sesquicentennial concert at Dublin’s National Concert Hall some years back."

This will be Amidon's ninth record, and is produced and mixed by Big Thief drummer James Krivchenia. The album will be released via River Lea Records, a division of Rough Trade Records.

A press release gives an insight into the record.

"Willing Brother Knowing, Sam Amidon’s ninth album, begs the question: Is there an alternative universe where Jimi Hendrix was a teenager in Vermont, in the 90s, and also was obsessed with Irish fiddling while growing up in a family contra dance band at a time when punk-folk was a thing that the kids would have been into, in addition to shape note singing?

"Because sure, Willing Brother Knowing is a folk LP. It is made of songs and lyrics drawn from folk traditions. But Willing Brother Knowing is also rock and roll; a rock quilt made from folk fabrics."

 

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Amidon released his previous album, Salt River, in January 2025. Hot Press gave it an 8/10 saying "its textures are as wonderful as they are surprising."

He also served as Musical Advisor and singing coach for the 2025 film, History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor.

Amidon is currently performing on Hiss Golden Messenger's North American tour as special guest, which includes dates in Michigan, Chicago, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Check out the full album tracklist below:

Daniel In the Lion’s Den
Hangman
China
Hiram Stamper
The Snow It Melts
Innisfree
A Trip to Athlone / The Lonesome Jig
Dying Californian
Vineyard
Blackjack Groove
Standing in the Doorway
Banjo Rock