Field Guide Announces FIELD GUIDE (TAPE REDUX), An Alternate Version of 2022 Self-Titled Album, Out on March 23

Canadian indie folk artist Field Guide, aka Dylan MacDonald, released a self-titled album in 2022 reflecting on life challenges and the processing of emotions. Through 12 songs, the album creates an identity around subtle guitar parts, laid-back drum grooves, textured and moody sonic layers, and warm-blanket vocal melodies. Following its release, Field Guide captivated a listening audience of 600 K+ monthly listeners on Spotify, over 25 million streams, and coverage from outlets such as MOJO, NPR, Under the Radar and more.

While performing the songs of the self-titled album on the road in a solo capacity, though, MacDonald found the structures mutating into something collectively new, different and exciting. At the completion of the tour, he quickly fleshed out the reimagined, stripped-down, captured-in-the-wild feeling of those new arrangements and the result is Field Guide (Tape Redux). The album will be released on March 23 and is currently available for pre-order here.

“Over the past year or so, I’ve been touring in support of a bunch of rad artists all over Canada, the U.S. and in Europe,” MacDonald says. “I’ve been playing solo every night, which at first felt like more of a necessity than anything, but over time has become something that I very much love. The songs have grown and taken on a new life; I wanted to capture them again in this moment.”

Some tracks on Field Guide (Tape Redux) such as “Remember When” and “You Could Be Free” have recognizable riffs to the original versions but are more intimate and direct, without additional trappings beyond vocals and guitar. “In Love Now” uses a sparse arrangement of drum machine, fingerpicked electric bass, and MacDonald’s nimble and soulful falsetto to achieve a bright and positive interpretation.

Of “In Love Now” MacDonald wrote, “During the deep pandemic times I think that a lot of people found themselves catching up on a lot of overdue interior work which was both a really good thing but also quite overwhelming. This song came out of the desire for balance – wanting to continue to work through things but also yearning to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.”

Listen to the single here and watch the behind-the-scenes recording performance here.

“Without much of a plan I went over to my pal Kris Ulrich’s place and two days later we had a record that I am incredibly proud of,” MacDonald explains on recording Field Guide (Tape Redux). “We recorded everything live with no overdubs to Kris’ recently purchased Tascam 388 tape machine. The process was fast and inspiring. I grabbed whatever instruments were within arms’ reach: a classical guitar, viola bass, my Roland Rhythm Ace drum machine – everything felt very off the cuff. Some new melodies surfaced, new arrangements, feels and harmonic structure. Kris ran everything through a spring reverb and a delay pedal and performed live effects as I played the songs in the room. I wasn’t on headphones, so I didn’t know what he was doing until playback – it was always vibey and cool.”

In support of both the self-titled album and Field Guide (Tape Redux), Field Guide will be touring in the United States in the spring. All dates are announced and on sale here and listed below.

4/13 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry

4/14 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon

4/15 – Chicago, IL – Schubas

4/16 – Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary

4/18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café

4/20 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs

4/21 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere

4/22 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry

4/23 – Washington, DC – DC9

4/26 – Nashville, TN – The Basement

4/27 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5

4/29 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk

4/30 – Dallas, TX – HOB Dallas Cambridge Room

5/2 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar

5/3 – San Diego, CA – HOB San Diego Voodoo Room

5/4 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room

5/6 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill

5/9 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern

5/10 – Portland, OR – The Jack London Revue

5/14 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre

Praise for Field Guide:

“These aching ballads are absorbed in rich arrangements… and MacDonald’s soft, honeyed growl” – UNCUT Magazine

“Field Guide has created something wondrous; something heartbreaking; and something utterly, majestically, and authentically beautiful.” – Atwood Magazine

“Very delicate folk pop that I’m just always a sucker for.” – Robin Hilton, NPR All Songs Considered