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Some 62 years into an already iconic career, Lenny Kaye is announcing his debut solo album.
Due out July 17th via Yep Roc Records, Goin’ Local sees Kaye open up his mighty, mighty Rolodex to assemble an all-star collection of collaborators. That includes longtime collaborator Patti Smith (who co-writes and sings on the album track “Solstice”), jazz pianist Matthew Shipp, Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, The Jayhawks’ John Jackson, and multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield (Bob Dylan and T-Bone Burnett).
“I think this album will surprise those who think they know me from what I’ve done previously,” Kaye says in a press release. As for the choice in titles, Kaye adds, “I’ve always loved the local, its intimacy and camaraderie…and I guess the truest Goin’ Local is the privilege to go inside my own head, and hear how I sound to me.”
Our first taste of the 12-track album comes in the form of its title track. As a song, “Goin’ Local” is the exactly the right mix of familiar and left-of-center, with the “godfather of garage rock” laying down weirdo vibes, brash-but-jangly chords, and an air of endless cool. Kaye might not be a spring chicken anymore, but his musical sensibilities are sharper than ever. Check out the song below.
Before making his solo debut, Kaye has been the longest-serving member of the Patti Smith Group (since 1971). He’s also the mind behind the iconic garage-rock comp Nuggets; co-wrote Waylon Jennings’ ’90s memoir, Waylon: An Autobiography; and collaborated with the likes of Paul McCartney and Suzanne Vega. Kaye is also the author of another great book, 2022’s Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll, which acts as an “insider’s chronicle of 20th Century music.”
Pre-orders for Goin’ Local are available right here. In support of the record, Kaye has a handful of upcoming tour dates set for April, May, and June. Check out the full schedule following the album art and tracklist.
Goin’ Local Artwork:
Goin’ Local Tracklist:
01. Goin’ Local
02. This Love
03. If I Were You
04. Let’s Make a Memory
05. A Friend Like You
06. Be That As It May (May Day)
07. Solstice (feat. Patti Smith)
08. World Book Night
09. Pennsylvania Girls
10. Poppy
11. The Things You Leave Behind
12. Yes I Will
Lenny Kaye 2026 Tour Dates:
04/25 — Easton, MD @ Avalon *
04/26 — Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head *
04/27 — Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere *
04/29 — New York, NY @ City Winery *
04/30 — Ardmore, PA @ The Ardmore *
05/02 — Woodstock, NY @ Levon Helm Studios *
05/05 — Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse *
05/06 — Shirley, MA @ Bull Run *
05/08 — Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace *
05/09 — Bellows Falls, VT @ Opera House *
06/26-27 — Carrboro, NC @ Dex Fest
* = w/ Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore
English (US) · 