Our first new original single since the release of In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun dropped this past Friday. Available now on Bandcamp and other streaming services:

Super stoked to perform at Richmond’s Fallout RVA on Sunday November 9. More details coming soon, so check our insta at https://instagram.com/tearsforthedyingband/

We are looking forward to this year’s Southern Gothic Festival kicking off Friday night, Oct 24 with a dance party with DJs Goth Dad, Twin Powers, and SXFT CHAINS. On Saturday Oct 25, live music with Vision Video, Missing, Delores Galore, Tears for the Dying and Entertainment

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-southern-gothic-halloween-weekend-2-day-pass-tickets-1541920458599

Releases Friday, January 17, 2025

In the early 1970s, whenever Jolene came on the AM car radio, my parents would turn up the volume and hush us, saying, “That’s your Uncle Chip playing!” The iconic finger-picked guitar on Dolly Parton’s classic was performed by none other than my uncle, Chip Young (aka Jerry Stembridge). Before his passing in 2015, I was lucky enough to hear him play the song a couple times at family reunions. Despite his incredible career, he downplayed it around us – he was always just Uncle Chip to us.

Our version of Jolene takes a different direction from Ms. Parton’s somewhat upbeat original, highlighting the longing and emotional insecurity embedded in the lyrics. We made slight embellishments with Ms. Parton’s lyrics, giving a more modern, and inclusive feel to them.

This video flips the script on emotional struggles, focusing on growth instead of despair. It doesn’t directly touch on polyamory, but it could totally spark convos about relationships and how different approaches, like polyamory, can change the way we see new starts and healthy endings. Rather than spiraling into isolation, the main character chooses peace and moves forward on their own terms.

Credits

• Song: Jolene
• Written by: Dolly Parton
• Originally performed by: Dolly Parton
• Cover performed by: Tears for the Dying (appearing in this video: Adria Stembridge and Joshua Broughton)
• Cover mixed and mastered by: Jason NeSmith and Chase Park Transduction

Video Team

• Director: Franky Villanueva
• Producer/Cinematographer: Blake Pipes
• Makeup Artist: Harmony Kubiak

Actors

• Andi Stanesic
• Kat Williams
• Trevor Aeon
• Page Dukes
• Seren Dickson
• Sebastian Valdivia
• Lilia Reyna
• Lewis Bello
• Eden

Special Acknowledgment

In memory of Jerry Stembridge (Chip Young)

Thanks so much for the shoutout @ByCandlelight666 🖤🗝 Truly honored to be included as a Favorite Album of 2024 alongside so many incredible bands – including The Cure!

As 2024 comes to a close, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey this year has taken us on. From intimate shows in cozy venues to unforgettable nights in cities we’ve grown to love, every performance was made special by you, the faces close to the stage, the voices singing with us, and the energy we felt together.

We’re grateful for every stage we stepped on, every mile we traveled, and every new connection we made along the way. To the venues that hosted us, the bands we shared the stage with, and especially to you, our supporters, thank you for keeping the fire burning.

This year, we released our latest record, In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun—our first vinyl! We also debuted a beautifully edited video for “Higanbana,” created by our talented friends Blake Pipes @blakepipes and Franky Villanueva @frankymornings.

I was especially moved by the stories many of you shared with me across our travels this past year. Thank you for being you. 🫶🏻

Special thanks to Cody White @rockandrollwontdie, Page Dukes @pagedukes, Joshua Broughton @diver.josh.b, Jack Long @rockyroadtouring, as well as Adam Hebert, @bagoflazers and Audey, Tom Ashton @subvontom, Jason NeSmith @casperfandango, Flagpole @flagpolemagazine, Sam Lipkin @piecesofcrap, Johnny Ray @johnnyray_athensga, Dusty Gannon @visionvideoband, March Briner @djdeadparrott, Dave Bats @theedavebats (among a long list of dark scene DJs), Andre Bagus Prasetho @deepless.depressed, Tomasz Woodraf @batcaveprod, William Zimmerman @mooncoilmedia, Suzi Sabotage @suzisabotage, Ken Magerman @kenmagerman and @soundsandshadows for all the various support and encouragement you’ve given both us and to the scene at large.

Here’s to the incredible moments we shared together and the ones waiting ahead. See you in 2025.

#gratitude #darkscene #gothmusic #deathrock #gothrock #postpunk #darkwave #batcave #gothicrock #gothscene #deathrockrevival #gothcommunity #diygoth #transmusic #queermusician #transmusician #transgoth #80sgoth #oldschoolgoth #gothicsubculture #athensga #athensgamusic #deathrockband #tearsforthedying

Here are a few BTS shots from an upcoming video with a special guest appearance from our former bandmate, Joshua Broughton. Video direction, editing and filming by Franky Villanueva and Blake Pipes. Makeup by Harmony Kubiak MUA.

Please give a warm welcome to our new bandmate @pagedukes! We’ve been friends since our roller derby days 🛼, and we share similar passions in social justice. I’m so excited for you to see us together on our upcoming fall dates!

Fri, Oct 25 – Athens GA @ 40 Watt for Southern Gothic Festival – advance tickets
Fri, Nov 1 – Columbia SC @ Art Bar
Wed, Nov 13 – Charlotte NC @ Snug Harbor – advance tickets
Thu, Nov 14 – Greenville SC @ Velo Fellow with Nightsweat and DJ D / Dark Entries Dance Night
Fri, Nov 15 – Durham NC @ The Pinhook with Idol Talk – advance tickets
Thu, Dec 5 – Tallahassee FL @ The Bark with Candle Wishes and Degenerate State
Fri, Dec 6 – Lakeland FL @ The Barter Box with KT Kink, TV Extra, and Layne Lyre – advance tickets
Sat, Dec 7 – Jacksonville FL @ Underbelly with Last Grasp – advance tickets
Fri, Dec 13 – Asheville NC @ 27 Club with Feyleux
Sat, Dec 21 – Atlanta GA @ Boggs Social and Supply with Feyleux and Tokyo Teens – advance tickets

Photo by Mike White and Deadly Designs