Brendan Benson — “Half a Boy (and Half a Man)” b/w “Big Kid Face”

Purchase now /// Officially out Friday, 1/19

Described by Clash Music as “one of America’s best songwriters”, Brendan Benson has consistently unfurled unparalleled melodies and lyrics in his acclaimed career. Over twenty years in, he’s still wowing folks and “Half a Boy, Half a Man” is a powerful dollop of power chords wrapped into a tale of split personalities. Backed with an astute cover of Jules Shear’s “Big Kid Face” from his 1989 album The Third Party in which Benson helps shine a light on this oft-overlooked but seminal songwriter. “Half a Boy (and Half a Man) was one of the last songs to be recorded in my Nashville based recording studio before it was completely demolished and made into a parking lot, but it is a personal comeback for me,” says Benson of the new songs, “I’ve been producing and co-writing so much that I kinda lost sight of myself. Making this album has brought me home again.”

Best known as half of the songwriting team at the heart of the Raconteurs (along with Jack White) Brendan Benson’s career has never slowed across six solo albums, two Raconteurs full-lengths, countless collaborations and placements and a seat as one of the most respected and reliable writer, performers, producer, engineer and musical jack-of-all-trades. Despite his long history in the label family, this is the first time Benson will have a release on Third Man Records as a solo artist.

“Half a Boy (and Half a Man)” is available now digitally and the 7” with exclusive b-side “Big Kid Face” is available this Friday at your favorite local, independent record store. The limited edition tri-color 7" will be on sale for one day only, Friday, January 19th, exclusively at Third Man Records storefronts in Nashville and Detroit, available, first come, first served only for as long as the line and supplies lasts and never to be made accessible online. A "line" qualifies as 3+ people. This does not mean that you necessarily have to be in line when the store opens at 10am, but it does mean that if you arrive after the line has been serviced, the tri-colors will no longer be available. No exceptions. Plan your morning and assess your risk accordingly. Tri-colors will be one-per-person.

Join us for a solo in-store and signing with Brendan that afternoon, Friday, January 19th at 5pm at our Nashville storeforont.

Order the 7” on black vinyl here.