Howlin’ Rain – “Death Prayer in Heaven’s Orchard” (live)

The last couple of years have laid down some rather great live albums from the likes of Wooden Shjips, Ty Segall & Freedom Band, and Circuit des Yeux. Not to mention the Castle Face live series, which has been a defining moment for San Francisco psych and garage as well. Adding to the pantheon of great official live sets is Howlin’ Rain, whose Ethan Miller released the Shjips’ album earlier in the year on his own Silver Current Records. The label will now embark on a series of LPs from Miller’s own band and they’re kicking it off with Under The Wheels: Live From The Coasts (Volume 1). The first of a two-part set (Volume 2 is scheduled for Fall 2019) this volume focuses on the band’s improvisational jam side, seeing them turn album and crowd favorites from their catalog into smoldering sets of Cosmic Americana – reigning down honeyed ash on the crowds.

The band sent over an 8+ minute version of the great track “Death Prayer in Heaven’s Orchard,” the scorching opener from their 2006 debut and you can check it out below.
The song’s always been a killer, but here it stretches out, toasting the edges in amplifier fallout and highlighting the worn-in soul that Miller imparts to the song. The first volume lands August 30th, and you can experience a good portion of these as the band embarks on a new tour with fellow guitar greats Garcia Peoples.

<a href="http://silvercurrent.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-wheels-vol-1">Under the Wheels, Vol 1 by Howlin Rain</a>

Tour Dates

8/6 – Port Chester, NY – Garcia’s at The Cap *
8/7 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl ^
8/8 – Boston, MA – Once Ballroom *
8/9 – Camden, CT – Space Ballroom *
8/10 – Pine Plains, NY – Huichica East
8/11 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas *
8/27 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
8/28 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge
8/29 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
8/30 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
8/31 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
9/5 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
9/6 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
9/7 – Reno, NV – Reno as F*ck
9/12 – Chico, CA – Argus Bar

* w/ Garcia Peoples
^ w/ Ryley Walker

Photography by Michael Lesser