Song Premiere: Mary Chapin Carpenter, “What Does It Mean To Travel”

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Photo by Aaron Farrington
Photo by Aaron Farrington

Mary Chapin Carpenter pens a heartfelt message about “the freedom of being a stranger” on “What Does It Mean To Travel,” a new song off her forthcoming album.

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The three-minute track appears on The Things That We’re Made Of, and encapsulates the story of her nearly 30-year touring career. Along with mentions of downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, the song drives home the idea that although she often longs for adventure, there are also times she yearns to be a stranger when touring or visiting new places.

“What Does It Mean To Travel” was recorded in Nashville with producer Dave Cobb, who has worked with other Americana artists like Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton. Along with Cobb’s production, Carpenter has crafted an acoustic-driven track that taps into the introspective songwriting she’s best known for.

The Things That We’re Made Of drops May 6. Listen “What Does It Mean To Travel” below.

May 10 – Cincinnati, OH  Music Hall with the Cincinnati Pops
June 4  St. Louis – Powell Hall with the St. Louis Symphony
June 11  Northampton, MA  Calvin Theatre
June 15 – New Brunswick, NJ  State Theatre
June 16 – Ridgefield, CT  Ridgefield Playhouse
June 17  Lowell, MA  Boarding House
June 18  Brownfield, ME  Stone Mountain Arts Center
June 19  Brownfield, ME  Stone Mountain Arts Center
June 28  Englewood, NJ  Bergen PAC
June 29  State College, PA  State Theatre
July 1  Highland Park, IL  Ravinia Festival*
July 2  Vienna, VA  Wolf Trap
August 27  Chautauqua, NY  Chautauqua Institution

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