On Tour: Works Progress Administration

The music collective known as Works Progress Administration is heading out on tour to support their self-titled debut, which is to be released on September 15th.

At the core of Works Progress Administration (or WPA, for short) is the trio of ‘Founding Directors’ Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family) and Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Lyle Lovett). In addition to the base is the group of ‘Executive Board Members’ consisting of Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Bill Frizell), Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters). The collective explains the origin of their name…

Works Progress Administration takes its name from FDR’s 1939 New Deal initiative, which put millions to work making buildings, bridges, theater, art and music. The original WPA was rooted in the values of community and creativity, and helped to keep the fire of human dignity burning through the darkest years of the Great Imposters.

Eschewing the usual “supergroup” clichés, WPA appears to be a truly community driven project with collaboration at every level. Vocal duties are shared across the board with each core member contributing lead vocals. The lead-off track “Always Have My Love” is an catchy uptempo number featuring Phillips lead vocals and layers upon layers of fiddles and pedal steel that give the track a depth that can sometimes be lacking in modern Bluegrass / Alt-Country recordings.

You can download “Always Have My Love” at the groups official site for the price of an email address (link)

Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace | on Facebook | on Twitter

Click through for the groups tour dates…

August 16, 2009 – Philadelphia Folk Festival
August 18, 2009 – Eagleview Concert in the Square
August 19, 2009 – Joe’s Pub
August 20, 2009 – Tupelo Music Hall
September 6, 2009 – Camp Mather – Strawberry Festival
September 17, 2009 – Lincoln Theatre
September 18, 2009 – Grey Eagle Tavern
September 19, 2009 – Americana Music Association Festival & Conference
September 20, 2009 – Eddie’s Attic
September 25, 2009 – Doug Fir Lounge
September 26, 2009 – Crocodile Cafe
September 27, 2009 – The WOW Hall
September 29, 2009 – Co-Bill with Old Crow Medicine Show! – Manzanita Place
November 5, 2009 – Highline Ballroom
November 7, 2009 – Diesel
November 10, 2009 – Ram’s Head On Stage
November 11, 2009 – The Barns at Wolftrap
November 12, 2009 – Fairfield Theatre- Stage One
November 13, 2009 – Club Passim
November 13, 2009 – Club Passim
November 14, 2009 – Iron Horse Music Hall
December 2, 2009 – Cedar Cultural Center
December 3, 2009 – High Noon Saloon
December 5, 2009 – The Ark
December 6, 2009 – Old Town School Of Folk Music