Nova Scotia-based musician Rich Aucoin announces his fifteen-date PRESS ON tour in support of the upcoming ‘Hold EP’ set for release on March 16th. Unlike a traditional tour, Aucoin will be bicycling from city to city, raising awareness for mental health by donating 100% of tour proceeds to Mental Health America and The Canadian Mental Health Association.
Aucoin will be joined by bandmates in each city as he pedals alone across the deserts, mountains, and forests of America. At each show, fans can expect a joyous celebratory event – his positive life-affirming shows have often been described as a natural antidepressant. The tour kicks off on March 23rd in Los Angeles and will conclude on June 30th in New York. Fans who are unable to attend are encouraged to donate to Aucoin’s crowdrise campaign.
PRESS ON tour dates
2/27: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
3/26: Los Angeles, CA @ Bardot
4/6: Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
4/11: Flagstaff, NM @ The Hive
4/19: Albuquerque, NM @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge
4/26: Amarillo, TX @ The 806
5/3: Oklahoma City, OK @ The Root
5/4: Norman, OK @ Opolis
5/11: Little Rock, AR @ TBA
5/16: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
5/23: Nashville, TN @ TBA
5/31: Knoxville, TN @ Birdhouse
6/20: Washington, DC @ DC9
6/23: Baltimore, MD @ The Crown
6/26: Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Alongside the tour announcement, Aucoin shares his new single The Fear. He comments, “this song’s single lyric is a mantra for the importance of overcoming our fears fostering the evolution and improvement of our lives. Fear is important but, left unchecked, can dominate our behaviour and hold us back from experiences just outside our reach. If our fears are of failure or rejection, the fears are moot as those are some of the most important tools we have to learn from. What would we be without our mistakes?” Take a listen to the track via YouTube below.
The Fear follows the release of previous singles Release and The Middle, all of which will be featured on the upcoming EP. The dreamy four-track collection is a stark contrast to the short high-tempo songs from his previous release, hinting toward a rebirth for Aucoin. Recorded in twelve studios across Canada from Vancouver’s REC Room to Halifax’s Sonic Temple, the EP features Broken Social Scene’s Justin Peroff as well as unique instrumentals and vocal sampling techniques.
