The Henhouse Prowlers released their new album – Lead and Iron – September 15th on Dark Shadow records, produced and engineered by Stephen Mougin. The band calls Chicago home, however, they are known for their extensive touring of the US and abroad, performing and teaching in over 25 countries through their non-profit Bluegrass Ambassadors. Their latest album full of original material was released in Nashville, TN at the world famous Station Inn this September. This week is their homecoming show debuting this latest album to their Chicago crowd on Black Friday, November 24, 2023 at Park West (Tickets here!) with special guests Pert Near Sandstone, Miles Over Mountains, and the Sullivan Sisters.
BG Chicago connected with Ben Wright about the new release and their upcoming Chicago show at Park West. Check out one of our favorite tracks and read our Q&A below!
Tell us, what’s exciting about your new album?
Ben: Oh, man. A lot. This is our first time ever working with a record label. The whole thing was different because of that. Dark Shadow Recording is Stephen and Jana Mougin, a powerhouse Nashville couple that bring so much experience to the table. Stephen has been playing guitar with Sam Bush for more than 16 years and Jana toured for years with the Czech/Slovak band Fragment. As you might imagine, that jived quite nicely with our international endeavors. Before we ever stepped foot in the studio, Stephen came up to Chicago and we sussed through about 25 songs we’d all written. By the end of that week we had arrangements and pretty much everything set. The album is all written internally and something we’re genuinely proud of. The band’s sound is always evolving and this album is a perfect snapshot of where we are right now. There’s some heavy stuff on here, but we also brought in some extra fun and lighthearted tunes to balance it out.
The title track “Lead and Iron” is definitely one of those heavy ones, yes? Are you planning on playing your entire new album at the Park West show?
Ben: Ha, yes. Jake wrote that and it hit us all hard when we first heard it. This band has never been afraid to face tough topics, but that song hits hard at some issues this country has been having around gun violence. There’s no politics in the lyrics, which I love about that song. It’s witnessing how terrible violence is, and that’s key to processing it and looking at it all with a level head. And yes, you’ll hear most if not all of the songs at the show on Friday!
Ben: We’re so thrilled about the lineup this year. Pert Near Sandstone are our brothers from another Old-Time Music Mother. We’ve been hitting the road with them since the earliest forms of the Prowlers and there’s a kindred spirit between us. We just got back from a run to Colorado with them and the energy they bring to stage is amazing. Plus, their new album is hot stuff. I love their songwriting. Oh, we also have Miles Over Mountains on the bill. We adore that band and are super proud to see them do their part in repping the midwest’s bluegrass scene. Their new album is also fantastic! Further, we’re really excited to be bringing a new act on stage with us during our set. The Sullivan Sisters are two teenage women from right here in Chicago-land that we’ve seen turn into a force of nature. We saw them at IBMA over the past couple years and decided we really wanted to bring them on stage with us at Park West. The youth are going to carry this music forward and you’re just a crotchety old traditionalist if you can’t encourage that kind of thing. Make sure you check out our socials for a cool interview I did with them
It looks like you all had a very busy summer, what were some of the highlights?
Ben: Yes, we sure did, best summer yet! We played some dream festivals including Merlefest, GreyFox and the Earl Scruggs Festival. Awesome stuff. We also jumped across the pond and performed and taught at the La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France.
See the Henhouse Prowlers LIVE at Park West, along with Pert Near Sandstone, Miles Over Mountains, and the Sullivan Sister on Black Friday, November 24st, TICKETS HERE