The Rumjacks to release ‘Brass for Gold’

The Rumjacks will release a new album, “Brass for Gold,” on Feb. 22. A single from that album, “One for the Road,” is out now.

In March 2021, The Rumjacks released their fifth studio album, “Hestia,” rejuvenating the band’s collaborative spirit and marking a new era of energy and creative release. “Hestia” also introduced new singer and songwriter Mike Rivkees on lead vocals.

Invigorated by the release of “Hestia,” The Rumjacks quickly went back into the studio to record “Brass for Gold,” capitalizing off their new sense of artistry.

“After the amazing response we had from Hestia’s release, we knew we had to back it up, do it justice and show we aren’t messing around with any of this,” said bassist Johnny McKelvey. “I guess while COVID slowed everyone down, it just made us want to work harder, record more music, plan and think ahead to when all this mess ended that would be ahead in every way.”

Grounded by the eclectic Celtic punk sound that The Rumjacks have become synonymous with, “Brass for Gold” sees the band dig deeper into ska and hard rock influences, all the while holding onto the defiant energy that ignites their sound.

“Brass for Gold is as much as an EP can possibly offer and still be called an EP. In true Rumjacker fashion, these songs represent a variety of different stories. The topics range from lovesick nostalgia to misfortunate war heroes and a few lighthearted drinking songs for good measure,” Rivkees said.

“While some EPs tend to be quite experimental, Brass for Gold represents a solid continuation of the newly reformed Rumjacks. Once again stating (almost literally in some of the lyrics) we are passionate and dedicated songwriters,” he said.

The first single off the EP is “One for the Road.” The song is a story of an escaped prisoner in the 1920s riding the rails until he reaches the Pacific Ocean and starts a new life in California.