MJ Lenderman, who plays guitar for our April 2023 CoSign Wednesday, has shared the new solo single “Knockin.”
“Knockin” was first released on a self-recorded EP Lenderman shared in 2021, and has since become a frequent fan-favorite highlight of his live shows.
“I was spending a lot of time watching John Daly videos and came across a rendition he does of Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,’” Lenderman explains of the track’s origins in a press release. “Daly’s version includes an extra verse about golfing. My ‘Knockin’ became a staple of the MJ Lenderman & The Wind live set and it felt like a good idea to re-record it professionally.”
The newly-released “Knockin” has all the hi-fi benefits of professional recording, but still retains that DIY charm. Driven by a languid beat and embellished with a good dose of pedal steel, the track finds Lenderman lovelorn: “Loneliness is simple/ Not much else is/ Her love for me is real/ She gives what she has to give,” right before an explosion of electric guitar. Stream the song below.
As we await Lenderman’s follow-up to his fantastic Boat Songs — one of the Top 50 Albums of 2022 — he has a couple tour dates left with Wednesday, as well as a set at Outside Lands. Find tickets to the headlining shows here.
