Vieux Farka Touré and Julia Easterlin announce new project Touristes, listen to first single "Little Things"

Now this is a gorgeous new music find for your ears. Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, who is well known as the “Hendrix of the Sahara,” has teamed up with Brooklyn vocalist on the rise, Julia Easterlin for a new album project called Touristes. The two connected this past summer of 2014 and what came out of their studio sessions was pure magic. Easterlin has an incredibly lovely voice that soars and transcends. It’s as cute as it it powerful. While Easterlin charms us with her vocals, Vieux Farka Touré is true master of guitar. Son of Malian six-string magician Ali Farka Touré, he draws you in with his masterful technique and fluid rhythms. You can defintley feel the passion and energy in is music. The collaboration of both Easterlin and Touré is a most beautiful combination.

The 10-track Touristes album is made up of original songs created by Easterlin and Touré, as well as some covers, including Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and Fever Ray’s “I’m Not Done.” With Easterlin’s keen use of loops and Touré’s exotic chords, Touristes is looking to be something fascinating. You can get a taste of their album by streaming their debut single, “Little Things” below.

On September 18, Six Degrees Records will release Touristes. Additionally, the duo will embark on a North American tour kicking off September 18 in Northampton, MA which will take him through October with a show in San Francisco. A Los Angeles date has yet to be announced, but guitarist Vieux Farka Touré will perform on August 22 at the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. More dates below.

Listen to Touristes debut single “Little Things”

Touristes Tracklist

1. Little Things
2. A B’ashiye (It’s Alright)
3. Masters of War
4. I’m Not Done
5. In The Pines
6. The World
7. Took My Brother Down
8. Spark
9. Bamba
10. Apples & Champagne

Touristes North American Tour

September 18
Northampton, MA
Iron Horse

September 19
North Adams, MA
Mass MoCA

September 20
Somerville, MA
Johnny D’s

September 22
South Burlington, VT
Higher Ground Showcase Lounge

September 23
Portsmouth, NH
3S Artspace

September 25
New York, NY
The Iridium

September 26
Baltimore, MD
Creative Alliance

September 27
Washington, D.C.
Howard Theatre

October 1
Toronto, ON
Small World Music Festival

October 2
Chicago, IL
Old Town School of Folk Music

October 3
Minneapolis, MN
Dakota Jazz Club