Listen to Chase Rice's new murder ballad "Haw River" ::antiMusic.com

16.08.2024

(EBM) Chase Rice reveals his latest gripping story with today's release of “Haw River,” offering fans another glimpse into his highly anticipated independent album “Go Down Singin',” out September 20th.

Inspired by a chance encounter with Blake Pendergrass during a writing seminar in Wilmington, North Carolina – who also served as Rice's writing partner on the recently released autobiographical title track – the haunting and evocative song showcases his ability to weave gripping stories with a raw emotional core.

Rice recalls the creation of the gruesome murder ballad: “We met a girl who said, 'I'm Kayla from Haw River,' and I was intrigued. Blake said, 'We should make this a murder ballad…' and off we went. Between the 1923 series about these priests who beat and rape Indian girls and our imagination, it got pretty dark.”

With lively lyrics and a stirring melody, “Haw River” tells the story of a preacher who abuses his power and faces retribution from one of his victims, highlighting Rice's continued evolution as a storyteller and his deep connection to the issues that move him. The song joins a collection of songs that explore themes of growth, loss and redemption on Go Down Singin', and marks a significant moment in his musical journey as he bets on himself with the independent release.

“Go Down Singin' is about where I am right now,” Rice says of the Oscar Charles-produced project. “It's about taking everything I've been through, all the mistakes I've made and the lessons I've learned and turning them into something meaningful. This album is the most honest I've ever been and I can't wait for people to hear it.”

Go Down Singin' – Tracklist:
(Songwriter in brackets)
Go down singing (Chase Rice, Blake Pendergrass)
Fireplace (Chase Rice, Jackson Dean, Jonathan Sherwood, Oscar Charles)
This Word Doesn't Work Anymore feat. Lori McKenna (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
Hey God, it's me again (Chase Rice, Corey Crowder, Randy Montana)
Oh Tennessee (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
Haw River (Chase Rice, Blake Pendergrass)
Arkansas (Chase Rice, Rob Baird)
Numbers (Chase Rice, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
If drinking would help (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
Little red racing car (Chase Rice, Jackson Nance, Heath Warren)
You in '85 (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)