Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Craig Finn has released his second song “Bethany” from his upcoming album, “Always Been,” due to release April 4th, 2025. “Bethany” is the album opener, and second song to be released on the upcoming album.
Finn has expressed that this song marked "the beginning of my journey into the world of this album,” Finn reflects with a thoughtful gaze. “It was the very first piece I shared with producer Adam Granduciel when we began discussing the vision for our record. We captured its essence early on—it’s the inaugural track on the album, and that feels profoundly fitting on a spiritual level.
This song introduces the record’s central character, a man who becomes a clergy member despite grappling with a lack of true faith, exploring the complexities and consequences of his moral unraveling. When we finally nailed the recording, I felt an exhilarating sense of certainty that we were on the cusp of creating something truly extraordinary. Every time I hear Adam’s guitar solo, it sends chills down my spine; it’s a breathtaking moment that perfectly encapsulates our vision.”
PRE- ORDER ALBUM HERE
Crafted by GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Adam Granduciel, celebrated for his work with The War On Drugs, “Always Been” emerges from the creative heart of his studio in Burbank, California. The album is expertly mixed by the renowned Jonathan Low, a three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer known for his collaborations with illustrious acts such as Taylor Swift, The National, and Hurray For The Riff Raff. “Always Been” features not only stirring musical performances from Granduciel and fellow members of The War on Drugs, but also captivates listeners with the enchanting guest vocals of acclaimed artists Kathleen Edwards and Sam Fender. This sixth LP in Finn’s distinguished solo discography stands proudly next to his remarkable contributions as the frontman and vocalist of The Hold Steady.
“I believe this to be the most narrative record I have made,” Finn reflects. “The songs largely revolve around a protagonist who pursues a path as a clergyman, despite wrestling with his doubts in faith. The album weaves a poignant tale of his rise, fall, and ultimate redemption, while painting a vivid picture of his adventures and the richly textured world he navigates. I am immensely proud of what we created, and I sincerely hope you find joy in it.”
The anticipation for “Always Been” was ignited last month with the release of its first single, “People Of Substance.” Rolling Stone praised it as “vintage Finn in many ways,” highlighting the distinctive vocal delivery and evocative lyrics that portray a struggling individual striving for goodness amidst a backdrop of self-justifications. The track showcases the expansive, shimmering sonic landscape indicative of its producer, Adam Granduciel, while retaining a touch of raw, old punk grit that adds depth to its character.
Crag Finn has also released a book called “Lousy With Ghosts,” This eighty page book featuring eleven works from Finn. These stories take place in the same universe as “Always Been” record, and offer new and deeper looks into characters from the songs. This is limited edition, if you’re a fan of Finn buy this book while you can!
Buy book + vinyl HERE
CRAIG FINN – TOUR 2025
APRIL
1 – San Diego, CA – Music Box*
2 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s*
4 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom*
5 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore*
7 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre*
8 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*
9 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory*
11 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater*
12 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s*
14 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room*
15 – Maquoketa, IA – Codfish Hollow Barn*
16 – Madison WI – Majestic Theatre*
18 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall*
* w/ Bob Mould
Tracklist:
Bethany
People of Substance
Crumbs
Luke & Leanna
The Man I’ve Always Been
Fletcher's
A Man Needs a Vocation
I Walk With a Cane
Clayton
Postcards
Shamrock (digital only)
ABOUT CRAG FINN:
Craig Finn is a singer/songwriter from Minnesota who is currently based in New York City. He is best known as the lead singer of The Hold Steady. Finn led the Minneapolis indie band Lifter Puller during the 1990s, a group that released three albums and an EP. After moving to New York, he teamed up with Lifter Puller member Tad Kubler to form The Hold Steady in 2003. The band quickly gained critical acclaim and built a worldwide fan base with their unique combination of dense lyrical narratives and powerful rock guitar sounds. The Hold Steady’s ninth album, *The Price of Progress*, was released in March 2023 to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary.
Finn released his debut solo album in 2012 and followed it with three more solo LPs between 2015 and 2019: *Faith in the Future*, *We All Want the Same Things*, and *I Need a New War*. These works formed a cohesive musical trilogy reflective of the times. His fifth solo album, *A Legacy of Rentals*, was released in May 2022 to widespread acclaim, landing on numerous year-end "Best Of" lists. Pitchfork praised *A Legacy of Rentals*, stating, “The writing remains the main attraction in Finn’s work, and both as a storyteller and a rock songwriter, he has never sounded more in control. From the beginning, he had a gift for meticulous, vivid world-building, and his wordplay has gotten tighter as his subjects have come down to earth.”
In 2019, Finn published his debut book, *I Can’t Keep Saying Thank You*, which is a collection of his song lyrics. In 2021, he released a double album of B-sides and outtakes titled *All These Perfect Crosses*, accompanied by a limited-edition graphic novel/comic book.
Finn also hosts a podcast series called *That’s How I Remember It*, which he launched in 2022. Co-produced and distributed by Talkhouse, the podcast explores the relationship between memory and creativity. Each episode features a conversation between Finn and a creative guest—including musicians, authors, filmmakers, and others—discussing how memory influences their art. The podcast provides exclusive insights into how each creator synthesizes their life experiences to tell their stories. Guests have included notable figures such as George Saunders, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Marr, Jason Isbell, Duff McKagan, Adam Duritz, Ben Gibbard, and many more.
FOLLOW CRAG FINN HERE: CRAIGFINN.NET | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SUBSTACK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
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