Photo credit: Jacob Boll

As Hand Habits - the project from multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Meg Duffy - approaches the release of their album Blue Reminder, due August 22nd via Fat Possum Records, fans get a final taster with new single Bluebird of Happiness. ​"One day my partner asked what birdsong we were hearing through the window and I was like, ​'well that’s the bluebird of happiness obviously,​' and it became a joke song I would sing around the house, but then it grew wings​." Meg Duffy explains. "I also got curious about the history of ​the bluebird of happiness,​ and found that it has mythological significance. It’s interesting how a symbol like that functions subconsciously, or in the collective unconscious. Even when we might not know everything about its origins, or when it’s almost become a pop cliche, maybe there’s some essence or a through-line that can remain true. Or the cliche itself can become material to play with. And I think because I can have an aversion to sentimentality in my songwriting, it felt exciting and fun to go there. And it does feel like such a hopeful song to me, though this bluebird has definitely seen some things, which is reflected in the production too.​" Take a listen for yourselves below. 

Hand Habits tours the UK and Europe later this autumn in support of Blue Reminder, opening for Perfume Genius. In the meantime, they embark on a headline North American tour as well as two dates with Japanese Breakfast this week.

Tour Dates
Aug 21st | Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's ~
Aug 23rd | Los Angeles, CA @ 2220
Aug 25th | Petaluma, CA @ Lagunitas Brewing Company ~
Sept 19th | Brooklyn, NY @ Public Records
Sept 20th | New York, NY @ Nightclub 101
Sept 21st | Washington, DC @ DC9
Sept 23rd | Albany, NY @ Lark Hall
Sept 24th | Montreal, QC @ POP MONTREAL
Sept 26th | Toronto, ON @ Sound Garage
Sept 27th | Ferndale, MI @ Magic Bag
Sept 28th | Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Sept 30th | Pittsburgh, PA @ Warhol Theatre
Oct 1st | Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
Oct 15th | San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Oct 17th | Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Oct 18th | Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
Oct 21st | Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Oct 23rd | Healdsburg, CA @ Little Saint
Oct 30th | Paris, FR @ Le Trianon *
Nov 3rd | Berlin, DE @ Astra Kulturhaus *
Nov 4th | Hamburg, DE @ Mojo Club *
Nov 5th | Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso *
Nov 7th | Manchester, UK @ New Century Hall *
Nov 8th | Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 TV Studio *
Nov 9th | Leeds, UK @ Project House *
Nov 11th | London, UK @ Roundhouse *
Nov 12th | Bristol, UK @ Trinity Centre *
Nov 13th | Dublin, IE @ The National Stadium *

~ supporting Japanese Breakfast
* supporting Perfume Genius

i: https://www.instagram.com/hand.habits