Their self-titled debut album will be released on January 20 via ATO Records. Fiction Family will kick off a 21-date nationwide tour beginning January 13 in Ann Arbor, MI.
Both artists have achieved immense success with their respective bands. Sean Watkins is the guitar player and founding member of the Grammy award-winning trio Nickel Creek. Watkins has a weekly residency at the Largo in Los Angeles known as "The Watkins Family Hour," which regularly features guests such as his sister and fellow Nickel Creek bandmate Sara Watkins, as well as Fiona Apple, John C. Reilly, Greg Leisz and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Jon Foreman is the guitarist and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated rock band Switchfoot, which has sold over 5 million records worldwide. Foreman has had considerable success as a solo artist as well. He released two double-EPs in 2007 to critical acclaim with the Philadelphia Daily News applauding his "...brooding, sensitive folk-pop...from the likes of Damien Rice and David Gray."
The seemingly unlikely duo met a few years ago at a show featuring Wilco, R.E.M., Nickel Creek and Switchfoot. Over time, they began writing songs together, which quickly turned into a full-length album consisting of 12 original tracks written, arranged and recorded by Watkins and Foreman at their homes in San Diego. Since they are both vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, they often take turns singing lead vocals, and they both play several instruments on each song including guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, baritone ukulele, piano, organ, mandolin, steel guitar, 12-string guitar and more. Nickel Creek fiddle player Sara Watkins is featured on a few songs as well. "It's almost the ideal artistic setup," Foreman explains, "because you don't really care about timing or any commercial aspect. We figured it'd probably never come out and we'd probably never finish it. But, hey, we've got these songs, so we're just gonna work on them when we feel like it."
Fiction Family Tour
January 13 The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
January 14 Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI
January 15 Abbey Pub Chicago, IL
January 16 The Union @ North Central College Naperville, IL
January 17 Ransburg Auditorium Indianapolis, IN
January 18 Mountain Stage Morgantown, WV
January 20 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
January 21 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
January 22 World Caf� Live Philadelphia, PA
January 23 Crawford Auditorium Grove City, PA
January 24 Jammin Java Vienna, VA
January 25 Brubaker Auditorium Grantham, PA
January 27 Gravity Lounge Charlottesville, VA
January 29 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
January 30 Belcourt Nashville, TN
February 3 Neumos Seattle, WA
February 4 Aladdin Theatre Portland, OR
February 5 The Independent San Francisco, CA
February 6 Anthology San Diego, CA
February 7 Largo at Coronet Theatre West Hollywood, CA
Preview and Purchase Fiction Family CDs
On The Record: The dB's- Rick Monroe and the Hitmen- Atlas Maior- Stoned Jesus
Hot In The City: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Opens in Surprise, Arizona
What's Doing With Dave Koz? Christmas Carols and Cool Cruises!
On The Record: Craft Recordings Announces Record Store Day Exclusives
Live: T Bone Burnett Rocks Phoenix
Three Days Grace Share First Adam Gontier Reunion Song 'Mayday'
Twenty On Pilots Share 'The Line' From Arcane League of Legends: Season 2 Soundtrack
Motley Crue Dr. Feelgood Pharmacy Independent Retail Takeovers Start Today
Nothing More Scores 3rd No. 1 With 'Angel Song'
Frontiers Rock Festival Returning After 6-Year Hiatus
Bury Tomorrow Unleash 'What If I Burn' Video
Converge Added To Fire in the Mountains Festival
Pop Evil Take Fans On 'Deathwalk' With New Video