First Aid Kid have shared a previously unheard cover of Willie Nelson’s ‘On the Road Again’. All proceeds from the track will go to Crew Nation, an organisation that helps tour and venue crew members struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to their rendition below.
“We’re excited to release our version of “On The Road Again” by Willie Nelson. We recorded this cover a couple of years ago and recently found it while digging through the archives,” Johanna and Klara Söderberg said in a statement. “The song is a country classic, it feels like we’ve known it forever. Because of the situation with COVID, sadly, the theme of the song has never felt more relevant than it does today.”
They continued: “We made a video for the song using cellphone footage from our tours throughout the years. Going through all those videos made us emotional. It made us realize how much we appreciate being able to roam freely around the world. How much we love the feeling of playing live for people, in the flesh. How much we miss our incredible band and crew.”
Speaking of their decision to donate all proceeds to Crew Nation, they added: “So much of the magic happens behind the stage. It’s easily taken for granted, but without our touring and venue crew live music wouldn’t be possible. It’s important that we help them out right now.”
Crew Nation expressed their gratitude for the duo’s support, with Nurit Smith, Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation, saying: “Crew Nation is extremely grateful to Johanna and Klara for finding a way to support the members of crew who have been forced off the road and out of work. These music crews spend their lives touring with artists, so it’s wonderful to have special tribute to those unseen magical moments with this song and video.”
The release marks the first new music from First Aid Kit since their 2018 album Ruins and their Tender Offerings EP, released that same year. The folk duo were recently announced for Latitude 2021.
