LISTEN: Brian Krumm Shares “Just Fade Away”

Solo debut of the same name due out June 2nd

Fans of Chicago’s bustling Americana movement will know Brian Krumm from his work in the popular local group The Great Crusades.

But on June 2nd, Krumm goes solo with the release of his debut album Just Fade Away via the always great Pravda Records imprint. Billed as Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends, the LP was recorded with members of his regular band as well as a who’s who of Chicago music scene notables with Crusader Christian Moder and Brian producing.

Along with long time band mates Brian Hunt (bass, vocals), Brian Leach (keyboards, vocals, guitars), and Christian Moder (drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals, production), he recruited Dana Anderson (vocals), Tony Artimisi (drums), Erik Attkisson (bass), Jake Brookman (cello), Laura Coy (vocals), Pete Galanis (guitars), Jessie Hotaling (vocals, co-lead vocals on “Just Fade Away,” “Stuck in the Van” and “Wasn’t Born Yesterday”), Hazel Krumm (vocals), Vivian Krumm (vocals), Dirk McElravey (bouzouki, mandolin), Kristina Priceman (violin), Nelson Strange (guitars), Brian Wilkie (pedal steel, guitars) and the Montrose Horns: Jon Boley (trumpet), Rich Lapka (trombone, horn arrangements) and Justin Past (saxophone). Many of these musicians had performed as special guests at Krumm’s monthly residency at Chicago’s Montrose Saloon that started in 2021 and continued into 2023. Additional vocals, guitars and horns were tracked at Chicago’s JoyRide Studios.

Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends Just Fade Away, Pravda Records 2023

Krumm wrote the songs on Just Fade Away in 2020 in an effort to stay sane during the first days of the lockdown. His process was he would drink a shot of whiskey each evening at 5PM and try to write a song. Twenty-five days later, he had 25 songs, 11 of which he’d take into his and Moder’s home studios. One such song, the album’s title cut, Rock & Roll Globe is happy to premiere today on the site.

“‘Just Fade Away’ was one of the first songs I wrote during the pandemic, in April 2020, during a stint of songwriting that yielded 25 songs in 25 days,” Krumm explains. “I hope the lyrics paint a picture and tell a story for people to lose themselves in for a while. I have a feeling that a lot of people can relate to watching a plane taking off with a loved one aboard and wondering what happens next? A lot of people can also relate to the idea of ‘going home’ too that the song touches on, with a feeling of comfort in your heart, although a sense of regret, too. I really love the musicianship of the song, with great pedal steel work by Brian Wilkie and some outstanding vocal contributions by Jessie Hotaling.”

Listen to the track below and pre-order Just Fade Away here. Fans of The Jayhawks and Robyn Hitchcock will no doubt dig what Mr. Krumm is laying down.