Ahead of Artpark show, Yacht Rock Revue releases double-single 'Lost In The Meantime,' reimagined version of Robbie Dupree's 'Steal Away'

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√ 21-track concept album, ‘Escape Artist,’ set for release Friday, Nov. 29

Press Release

Today, Yacht Rock Revue, on tour with Train and REO Speedwagon, release their new double-single “Lost In The Meantime” and “Steal Away” from their upcoming original album – “Escape Artist” – set to drop Friday, Nov. 29.

Stream “Lost In The Meantime” and “Steal Away” here.

“Lost In The Meantime,” the A-side to this couplet, weaves a sensuous bossa nova rhythm with contemporary remix beats, creating a luscious soundscape that encapsulates the essence of life’s memorable snippets. “Steal Away,” the B-side track, is a reimagined ukulele rendition of Robbie Dupree’s 1980 track, stripped down to feature Yacht Rock Revue’s vocalist Kourtney Jackson’s intimate rendition.

Yacht Rock Revue’s lead vocalist, Nicholas Niespodziani, reflects on “Lost In The Meantime,” “Some of my clearest memories aren’t major milestones or significant global events, like where I was when I heard Prince passed away. They’re random snapshots from everyday moments that stick in my head for some reason. ‘Lost In The Meantime’ explores how the true essence of a relationship often lies in those ordinary, in-between moments.”

With “Steal Away” serving as the sole cover on “Escape Artist,” Dupree said, “I’ve been a fan of Yacht Rock Revue since first seeing their show 10 years ago at a small club in New York City. They’re a national group now! Their new music is brilliant and their rendition of my song, ‘Steal Away,’ is fresh and delightful.”

On Monday, the band not only announced a new album, “Escape Artist,” but also launched a massive 44-city tour, joining forces with Train and REO Speedwagon on the “Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour.” In a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Niespodziani and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming tour.

The album will be released in two parts: the A-side and B-side on Oct. 4, and the C-side and D-side on Nov. 29. Paying homage to the vinyl era, this ambitious ode to yacht rock captures waves of emotion and transports audiences back to the sun-soaked anthems of the ’70s and ’80s. This 21-song concept album, spanning four sides of vinyl, showcases the band’s evolution beyond a mere tribute act, seamlessly integrating its unique style with the iconic yacht rock vibe.

The lead singles, “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers,” debuted May 24. “Tropical Illusion,” co-written by Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass and Niespodziani, honors Looking Glass’s 1972 hit “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).” Speaking on the collaboration, Elliot Lurie said, “I played my first gig with Yacht Rock Revue about 12 years ago. I didn’t know who they were then, but there were 5,000 people in a park in Atlanta groovin’ to a killer band. I sang ‘Brandy’ with them and I was an instant Yacht Rock Revue fan. It’s great to now have co-written a tune with Nick for their new album.”

Stream/share “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers” here.

“Escape Artist” captures the desire to escape modern society, using music as a primary tool to break away from the worries of daily life.

“Look out in the crowd and imagine what each person is escaping from. They’re escaping the modern condition to the idea of a less complicated time,” Niespodziani said. “We see it every night on the road – an audience transported somewhere else. We are escape artists. That’s our magic trick.”

“Of course, there’s the literal layer – I want to escape the confines of what our band is supposed to be,” Niespodziani added. “Are we allowed to be artists, or are we trapped by a genre? We’ve always been pushing the envelope, going where no band like ours has gone before. I want it to be OK for us to express optimism and sadness and fear and vulnerability. I want to escape the caricature that defines us. The ‘Escape Artist’ song lyrics tell that story.” 

After a successful 2023 tour with Kenny Loggins, Yacht Rock Revue’s debut as direct support for iconic hitmakers Train and REO Speedwagon on the 44-city tour marks a monumental moment for a band redefining the limits of what a cover band can achieve.

Niespodziani said, “Every song by all three bands is gonna be a raucous sing-along! Holy sh*t that’s a lot of hit songs in one lineup. As a singer, I’m excited to watch Kevin Cronin and Patrick Monahan every night. Those guys are both wildly talented vocalists and I’m gonna soak in as much wisdom and technique and as many crowd control tactics as I can.”

Sarah Bahr of The New York Times reported her first-hand experience of Yacht Rock Revue’s liberating on-stage energy, observing fans who “danced for two hours to tunes from the 1970s and ’80s,” while Entertainment Weekly noted that “the shows tend to be unabashedly joyous affairs.” 

For all Yacht Rock Revue shows and to purchase tickets, visit their website here.

Beginning in 2007 as a pair of enthusiastic fans in a basement, the band has evolved into a formidable force in the industry, transforming the genre from a guilty pleasure into a highly respected art form. The band has graced stages with legends like Dupree, Lurie, Matthew Wilder, John Oates and Eddie Money, living the yacht rock dream. Their energetic performances set them apart, whether in intimate bar settings or rocking arenas, solidifying Yacht Rock Revue’s place in the illustrious history of yacht rock. Their concerts are immersive experiences that leave audiences yearning for more.

Founded in Atlanta, the dynamic 10-piece ensemble features Niespodziani (vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion), Peter Olson (vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion), Greg Lee (bass, vocals), Mark Dannells (guitars, vocals), Mark Bencuya (keyboards, vocals), David B. Freeman (saxophones, keyboards, flute, piccolo, percussion, vocals), Keisha Jackson (vocals, percussion), Jackson (vocals, percussion), Jason Nackers (drums), and Ganesh Giri Jaya (drums).

Find Yacht Rock Revue online: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | website.

The band will open for Train on Friday, July 19, at Artpark in Lewiston. Visit www.artpark.net.