The Nude Party - "Hard Times (All Around)"

Photo by Clark Hodgin

The latest from The Nude Party may be rooted in country and Americana, but "Hard Times (All Around)" isn't your standard country song. This one has a certain 70's groove you wouldn't normally associate with country. The song is a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll, and even some funk and Southern rock thrown in. "Hard Times (All Around)" is just an upbeat party track despite the downer of a title. It has some of the coolest sounding keyboards around right now, accentuated by killer guitar licks. If I was going to compare this to another artist we're die hard fans of, I'd go with Aaron Lee Tasjan.

Patton Magee says of his band's new song:

"This song started as a half-finished tune that Don was demo’ing on piano. He sent me a recording of his piano playing as I was driving down to New York City listening to early Bob Dylan demos. There is a very old folk tune called 'Down on Penny’s Farm' recorded by some unknown duo called the Bentley Boys in 1929. In 1965, Bob Dylan repenned the same basic tune as 'Hard Times in New York Town,' lyrically making it relevant to him and his perception of New York City at the time. In that vein of tradition, but with an entirely different chord structure, fell out the lyrics for our 'Hard Times,' but somewhat modernized, I think. I had a lot of family flee from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and head for Houston, some never went back. Which inspired one of the lines."

You can listen to "Hard Times (All Around)" below. Rides On is due out on March 10 via New West Records. For more on The Nude Party, check out the band's website.