Minneapolis-based Bad Bad Hats have announced their sophomore full-length album, Lightning Round, out August 3 via Afternoon Records (Yellow Ostrich, Haley Bonar, John Vanderslice). The 10-song collection explores themes of dependence and independence in relationships, bolstered by the band’s signature equal parts grit-and-melody instrumental compositions.

Lead single “Write It On Your Heart” is a reflective song about the end of a relationship, where the ender of the relationship wants it both ways: they want to leave you for someone else, but they want your blessing too. “I haven’t always stood up for myself in situations like this,” shares frontwoman and lyricist Kerry Alexander. “So this song is an ode to the version of me that does.”

Bad Bad Hats are Kerry Alexander (vocals, guitar), Chris Hoge (guitar and bass), and Connor Davison (drums). Encouraged to record live in the studio by producer and longtime collaborator Brett Bullion (who also produced their debut album Psychic Reader), there is a tangible vulnerability to the spontaneous approach (fluttering tape loops, a few wrong notes) which feels as honest and unpredictable as Alexander’s lyrics.

Since the release of their debut album, the indie rock trio has toured extensively, sharing stages with The Front Bottoms, Margaret Glaspy. They head back on the road next week, kicking off a summer tour including stops in NYC, LA, Boston and Chicago.

Bad Bad Hats
National Tour Dates

6/1: Chicago, IL @ Do Division Street Fest
6/2: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
6/3: Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo Coffee
6/9: Des Moines, IA @ Stewart Square Park
6/10: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
6/12: Columbus, OH @ The Basement
6/13: Pontiac, MI @ The Pike Room
6/14: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
6/15: Toronto, On @ The Drake Hotel
6/16: Syracuse, NY @ Spark Art Space
6/17: Buffalo, NY @ The 9th Ward
6/19: Albany, NY @ The Linda
6/20: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
6/21: Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade NYC
6/22: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
6/23: Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
6/24: Washington, DC @ Union Stage
6/26: Millvale, PA @ The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls
6/27: Indianapolis, IN @ The Hi-Fi
6/28: St. Louis, MO @ The Monocle
6/29: Iowa City, IA @ Gabe’s
7/7: Duluth, MN @ Bayfront Festival Park