Listen To Title Track From Upcoming Har Mar Superstar “Personal Boy” EP

We love Sean Tillman for a number of reasons, but one of the major factors in his appeal is that the man has never been a one dimensional artist.  From his time signed to Amphetamine Reptile while in the hardcore outfit, Calvin Krime, throughout the second half of the 90s, to his indie guitar-pop project, Sean Na Na, which followed, the Minnesota native has demonstrated plenty of range.  Of course, it has been under the moniker of Har Mar Superstar that he has achieved the most widespread notoriety and impact, making a name for himself through rousing performances that often involve him stripping down to his drawls, doing head stands, and belting out one soul shaking jam after another.  Har Mar has penned his share of infectious dance grooves, often with humorous or cheeky themes connected to them, but anyone who has simply written his routine off as a lighthearted shtick, dismissing the Tillman’s tremendous songwriting ability and, especially his vocal talent, needs only to delve a little bit deeper into his catalog to recognize how severely underestimated he can be.  With more recent releases, it feels as if Superstar has done more to present his soaring vocal abilities up front with such moving singles like his nod to Sam Cooke, “Lady, You Shot Me,” off of Bye Bye 17 [2013], and the affecting, “How Did I Get Through The Day?” from last year’s Best Summer Ever.

Tillman‘s versatility has afforded him the ability to cross genres and tour with a wide range of varied artists over the years.  Now, after a handful of solo dates, he will be embarking on an extensive tour with The Afghan Whigs, opening for the fellow debonair gentleman throughout September and October.  But, before hitting the road, he will be dropping a brand Har Mar Superstar EP next week on August 22nd.  Tillman worked with friends/producers, BJ Burton (Bon Iver) and Lazerbeak (Doomtree) for the new 3-song effort, which includes a cover of “Demon In Profile” by The Afghan Whigs, a song with a video that Tillman actually starred in for the group.  The epic 7 1/2 minute title track, “Personal Boy,” begins with a nearly 2-minute intro and features steamy sonics reminiscent of the Minnesota supergroup, Gayngs, which both Har Mar and Lazerbeak were were both involved.  Check the song, EP tracklist, and a full list of upcoming tour dates following the detailed backstory behind the project, below.

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Sean Tillmann (aka Har Mar Superstar) was invited to work on some dance tracks by producers BJ Burton (Bon Iver, Sylvan Esso) and Lazerbeak (Doomtree, Lizzo) earlier this year.  They had all been friends for quite some time and were looking for an excuse to create together.  When the three songwriters convened at April Base in April 2017, the two-day session was so prolific that they left with seven new songs including the three that make up the Personal Boy EP.  The session was a quick-fire round robin that saw everyone’s talents locking in with unforeseen tightness.   A magical balance formed between the strengths of Tillmann’s chord progressions, vocal melodies, and lyrics; Lazerbeak’s heroic drum programming, ever-growing soundbank, and pop intelligence; and Burton’s slamming production, in-depth sound knowledge, and incredible ear.

The Personal Boy EP is one facet of many to come from this magical combo.  The title track is anchored in epic foghorns, drums, and vocals of Seal-sized proportions, not to mention that the full-length version chimes in at an epic seven-plus minutes long.  It is a story of unbreakable love that should retroactively be added to the Titanic soundtrack, in the best way possible.  “Timeback” is a funked-out daydream that could easily live on Mary J. Blige’s block.  The third track, “Demon in Profile,” turned out to be the unexpected banger of the EP.   It is an Afghan Whigs cover that Tillmann suggested in anticipation of the tour he will be embarking on  with them throughout all of September and October 2017.  When the beat comes in at the end it’d be a chore not dance.

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‘Personal Boy’ EP – Tracklisting

01. Personal Boy
02. Timeback
03. Demon in Profile
04. Personal Boy (Radio Edit)

Additional info for the Personal Boy EP:
Produced by BJ Burton & Lazerbeak
Mixed by BJ Burton
Mastered by Huntley Miller
Artwork by Julian Gross
Recorded at April Base
Trumpet- Jake Baldwin
Synths- Aaron Baum
Pedal Steel- Ben Lester
Additional Bass- James Buckley

Har Mar Superstar Tour Dates:

Aug 18 – Duluth, MN – Red Herring Super Big Block Pre Party
Aug 25 – Fargo, ND – Sanctuary Events Center
Aug 26 – St. Cloud, MN – The Nest
Sep 03 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
Sep 04 – Bowling Green, KY – The A-FRAME
Sep 05 – Tallahassee, FL – The Wilbury
Sep 06 – Orlando, FL – The Social*
Sep 07 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West*
Sep 09 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club*
Sep 11 – Richmond, VA – The National*
Sep 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer*
Sep 13 – Lancaster, PA – Tellus360
Sep 14 – Boston, MA – Paradise*
Sep 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel*
Sep-18 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount*
Sep-19 – Toronto, ON – Opera House*
Sep-21 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave*
Sep-23 – Chicago, IL – Metro*
Sep-24 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall*
Sep-26 – Detroit, MI – St Andrews*
Sep-28 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts*
Sep-29 – Nashville, TN – Exit IN*
Sep-30 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn*
Oct-12 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up*
Oct-13 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theatre*
Oct-14 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore*
Oct-15 – Redding, CA – The Dip
Oct-16 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*
Oct-17 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre*
Oct-18 – Seattle, WA – Showbox*
Oct-19 – Salt Lake, UT – Urban Lounge*
Oct-21 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre*
Oct-22 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar*
Oct-24 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
Oct-25 – Dallas, TX – Trees*
Oct-26 – Houston, TX – Heights Theater*
Oct-27 – Wichita, KS – Barleycorn

* With The Afghan Whigs