Erika Wennerstrom Streams Debut Solo Album on COS

Erika Wennerstrom shares her debut solo album, Sweet Unknown, today on Consequence of Sound, complete with a track-by-track description of each track. COS says, "positivity can be heard throughout the album's nine tracks. Songs like the slow-burning, almost meditative "Be Good to Yourself" promote self-love, while "Like A Bird" advises that we "open up and let the good things come." The LP will be on shelves this Friday, March 23rd, via Partisan Records.

First single to be released from the album, "Extraordinary Love," debuted on Rolling Stone and established the core themes of the record. Rolling Stone writes, "After more than a decade fronting the Austin, Texas-based Heartless Bastards, Erika Wennerstrom needed a break. Not just from the band, but a spiritual break as well. Now, having spent the past couple years on a journey of self-exploration, she chronicles her discoveries on "Extraordinary Love." Expanding on this in her own words, Wennerstrom says, "I was at a point where I was deeply unhappy, and on a whim, I decided to do an Ayahuasca retreat... Despite the idea frightening me, I felt I needed something to change within me so bad that I had nothing to lose. It really opened the door and started me on a path to many self realizations."

"Twisted Highway" was the second single, but the the first track on the new album, and it got it's premiere via Billboard Magazine. "This song sort of sums up the whole album in a lot of ways," says Wennerstrom. "'Twisted Highway' is the process of learning more self awareness and self acceptance. Writing songs over the years has forced me to do a lot of self-reflection, and I haven't always liked what I see. I really needed to change my way of thinking though. I chose to focus on the negatives within myself. I really needed to stop and take a look at what's good in my life. I have a lot of love in my life and I have had some truly beautiful experiences and opportunities. I was so focused on where I was going instead of appreciating where my life was. Going forward never stops. I don't really have to propel myself. I need to smell the flowers, taste the food, and see the beauty around me."

Sweet Unknown was produced by Danny Reisch in Lockhart, TX, and features contributions from My Morning Jacket's Patrick Hallahan, Kelly Doyle, former Okkervill River member Lauren Gurgiolo, Heartless Bastards bassist Jesse Ebaugh and others. There's something somewhat frightening, yet utterly liberating when leaving the confines of a successful band to venture solo - especially a band whose latest record was called "effortlessly brilliant" by critics. But, such is the case with Wennerstrom who is taking a break from her Austin-based rock band, Heartless Bastards, to deliver this solo debut.

On going solo, Wennerstrom reveals "it was a really freeing experience. I found my strength in my vulnerability as an artist, and really, just as a person. It kind of forced me to allow myself to be a little more exposed and stand on my own two feet."

Sweet Unknown is still available for pre-order via all leading Digital Service Providers and comes with an instant download of the album's first single, "Extraordinary Love." The physical pre-order includes a limited edition version pressed on double white vinyl. Wennerstrom is also making the album available for pre-order via Pledge Music. This option allows fans to pre-order the album as well as purchase exclusive merchandise (including signed test pressings) and unique opportunities to experience the album (acoustic house concerts, hikes w/ Erika, etc): https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/erika-wennerstrom.

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