Gov’t Mule Announces New Bassist, Releases New Album

Gov’t Mule has big news this month with a lineup change and a new album. First, the group announced that bassist Jorgen Carlsson has left the fold after fifteen years. He first joined the band in 2008 following the departure of Andy Hess.

The band announced their new bassist on social media ahead of a tour and the release of their album Peace… Like a River, which dropped on June 16th.

“Before we take the stage, we do want to let you know that our friend Kevin Scott will be joining us on bass,” they wrote. “We thank Jorgen Carlsson for all his incredible work, including on ‘Peace…Like A River,’ and wish him the best. Some of you may have seen Kevin with us last year when he stepped in for a few shows, so you know he’ll do a great job out there with us.”

Scott is a stellar player who has worked with Colonel Bruce Hampton, Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, FORQ, Wednesday Night Titans, and more. He shared his excitement for the new gig with Live for Live Music.

“Getting the opportunity to play bass with Gov’t Mule is an honor,” said Scott. “I have been a huge fan since I was in my early 20s. Mule is one of the rare bands that have amazing songs and that can also stretch/improvise at any moment. I’m very excited for the future—to develop my own take on the catalog [while] also taking HUGE inspiration from Woody, Andy, and Jorgen’s amazing bass work over the years.”

Guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes says Peace… Like A River is a 12-song rock journey that carries a positive message while calling back to more experimental forms.

“With this record, there’s an honest attempt to bring back more complex arrangements in rock music that were so prevalent in a lot of the music we all grew up listening to but have been missing for too long in most of today’s music,” he said.

As their Instagram post mentioned, Carlsson is featured on the album. Check out his playing on “Dreaming Out Loud” featuring Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster:

Peace… Like A River is out now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

Peace… Like A River Track List:

1. Same As It Ever Was
2. Shake Our Way Out (ft. Billy F Gibbons)
3. Made My Peace
4. Peace I Need
5. Your Only Friend
6. Dreaming Out Loud (ft. Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster)
7. Head Full Of Thunder
8. The River Only Flows One Way (ft. Billy Bob Thornton)
9. After The Storm
10. Just Across The River (ft. Celisse)
11. Long Time Coming
12. Gone Too Long

Gov’t Mule Tour Dates:

~ festival appearance
+ with The Avett Brothers
% Outlaw Music Festival dates
* Dark Side of the Mule dates
# Gov’t Mule only/No Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening