Brandi Carlile’s By The Way, I Forgive You debuts this week at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart, Rock Albums chart and Americana/Folk Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 43,000 units (41,000 in traditional album sales)—a career high for the acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer.
Released on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records (purchase), By The Way, I Forgive You features ten new original songs including the breakout first single, “The Joke,” which is currently in its sixth week in the top ten at Triple A Radio.
In celebration of the album, the band will embark on an extensive nationwide tour this year including two newly added co-headline shows with Jason Isbell in Canandaigua, NY and Portland, ME in July as well as dates at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom (sold out), Seattle’s Moore Theatre (two nights, both sold out), New York’s Beacon Theatre (three nights), Boston’s Orpheum Theatre (two nights, both sold out), Chicago’s Chicago Theatre (sold out) and Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (sold out).
Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, By The Way, I Forgive You includes ten new songs written by Carlile and longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth. Of their close relationship, Brandi comments, “The Twins and I have been in a band for so long now. And not just a band, we are literally a family. When you create art with twins, it becomes unclear when I end and where they begin.” In addition to Carlile (vocals, guitar, piano), Tim Hanseroth (vocals, bass), Phil Hanseroth (vocals, guitar), Cobb (guitar, percussion) and Jennings (piano, organ), the album features Chris Powell (drums), Josh Neumann (cello), John Mark Painter (French horn) as well as string arrangements and conducting by the late Paul Buckmaster (Elton John, The Rolling Stones).
Over the course of their acclaimed career, the band has released six albums, including 2015’s The Firewatcher’s Daughter, which garnered a Grammy nomination for “Best Americana Album.” Additionally, last year, they released Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child), which features 14 artists covering the songs on their breakthrough album The Story with all proceeds benefiting War Child. Artists included on the acclaimed project, which Rolling Stone calls, “tender and powerful,” include Dolly Parton, Adele, Pearl Jam, Kris Kristofferson, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price and Jim James as well as a forward written by President Obama.
In addition to their work as a band, Carlile and the Hanseroth twins remain committed to social activism and advocacy. Together, they are founders of the Looking Out Foundation, which aims to amplify the impact of music by empowering those without a voice. From neighborhood to nation, the foundation helps fund causes and organizations that often go unnoticed. $1 from every concert ticket sold goes directly toward efforts to support the diverse demographic they aim to serve. For more information on how to volunteer, donate or advocate visit lookingoutfoundation.org.