Billboard is reporting that Nickel Creek has recorded a new album, targeted for a Spring 2014 release on Nonesuch Records. The news came out as the trio featuring Chris Thile, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins, reunited on Wednesday for a special performance in Santa Monica, CA for a CBS Films party.
In a success story that hadn’t been seen for an all-acoustic group since the 1960s, Nickel Creek sold records by the millions and ignited the modern bluegrass/folk/pop/rock hybrid sub-genre that is breaking out all over the world. Their music especially resonated with young audiences and consumers, the Holy Grail for record sellers and show promoters.
The three childhood friends had not played together publicly since the band dissolved in 2007, though they officially described the move as a indefinite hiatus at the time.
Our own conversations with Thile’s management over the past few weeks have indicated that it’s too soon to comment on potential reunion shows next year, though Billboard suggests that as many as a half dozen appearances are being considered around the release date. We also understand that shows are being pitched to college student affairs offices around the US.
Mark Schatz is expected to take a leave from Claire Lynch’s band for whatever touring may occur next year.
Undoubtedly, a new Nickel Creek record is a big deal in the music biz, and a scramble for tickets for a reunion tour would be even bigger. We’ll report any further details we can discover.
