Fink
The City Is Coming to Erase It All is Fink’s ninth studio album, following 2024’s Beauty In Your Wake. Recorded in Zennor, Cornwall, the album was made with a strict era-specific approach. Imagining a record Michael Chapman might have made, right down to the guitar strings. Grammy-winning producer Sam Okell helped guide the process: “If it didn’t exist in 1974, you’re not allowed to use it.” But this is nowstalgia, not nostalgia. “I want something new, but with the same ethos,” singer Fin Greenall explains. There’s a parallel between the restless 18-year-olds Fink once were and the autumn-aged family men they are now. Touring remains a compulsion as much as a joy, despite having played every major European city countless times. “The need to play your new material is so overwhelming that it trumps all the comforts and trinkets.” City is a product of this hunger for discovery, and idolatry of the album as a form – like we had in 1974. City’s cover mirrors its interior, the first song is the greeting, the instrumental closer the conclusion. It’s a story. It’s a record for people who, like its creators, are curious. People who happily face a little cold for music, who light a crackling fire back home, who sit with these songs until they’re ready to chase after their own blue sky.
Maggie Koerner
Right after getting her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Maggie caught the attention of Brady Blade (Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews Band) who produced her debut album, Quarter Life (2011). Shortly after the release and on the advice of fellow musician David Shaw (The Revivalists), she moved to New Orleans.
Upon moving to New Orleans, it didn’t take Koerner long to write another album she would record and produce herself, Neutral Ground (2013). It was around this time that she had the opportunity to take over as the front-woman for Galactic, gaining international attention for her fiery performances and commanding presence touring alongside Widespread Panic, Charles Bradley and Dr. John. Her songwriting and vocals are featured on Galactic’s albums Carnivale Electricos (2012) and Into The Deep (2015), both of which feature singles she co-wrote with Shaw, “Hey Na Na” and “Dolla Diva."
In 2015, Koerner left Galactic to focus on her music again which has included a string of festival performances including New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Austin City Limits, Pemberton Music Festival as well as tours alongside The Revivalists, Band of Horses, Marcus King, The Head & The Heart, Shakey Graves, Tank & the Bangas, Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule & more.
As her momentum continued to grow, Koerner reached out to the UK-based singer/songwriter Fink who wanted to collaborate with her through his R’COUP’D imprint via Ninja Tune. The result, an EP titled Dig Down Deep, was released in 2016 and showcased an ever-evolving Koerner. Fink’s sparse production emphasized the intensity of her vocals creating an intimate, yet powerful listen. The album was well received by CLASH Magazine who proclaimed “Koerner is rather special talent...” and highlighted her “remarkable sense of depth and songwriting...”
Koerner continued to tour, signed a publishing deal and eventually began to work on a new album, collaborating with a variety of artists and producers to pen 11 songs recorded in New Orleans. In 2019 & 2020, a series of singles were released including the searing “If I Die”, which was featured in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Koerner’s LP “The Bartholomew Songs,” was released March 2022 independently. In October 2022, Maggie spent a month in Louisville, KY filming and starring in an independent film, “Heart Strings” (2024). Maggie recently co-wrote 2 songs with Jessica Simpson on her recent albums Nashville Canyon EP Pt 1 & 2.
Koerner’s latest album, UPSTATE, is out now. She & Ajai co-produced this 12-track album in New Orleans.
