Eric Church’s “Evangeline vs. The Machine”: A Fearless Storyteller Redefines Country Again
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Eric Church, a name synonymous with artistic integrity and boundary-pushing country music, is set to unleash his latest masterpiece, “Evangeline vs. The Machine,” on May 2nd. This highly anticipated album promises to be another ambitious and sonically rich chapter in his already groundbreaking career, solidifying his reputation as one of country music’s most fearless storytellers.
Church, a self-proclaimed “album artist,” has always championed the power of cohesive storytelling. He views albums as “snapshots in time that last for all time,” emphasizing his dedication to crafting records that live and breathe as a singular piece of art. “Evangeline vs. The Machine” is no exception, showcasing Church’s unwavering commitment to creative exploration.
“I’ve always let creativity be the muse. It’s been a compass for me,” Church explains. He draws inspiration from artists who consistently defy expectations, striving to deliver music that surprises and challenges his fans. “I never want our fans to get an album and go, ‘Oh, that’s like Chief or that’s like this.’ Painstakingly, I lose sleep at night to try to make sure that whatever we do creatively, they go, ‘Wow, that’s not what I thought.’ I think that’s my job as an artist.”
The album’s lead single, “Hands Of Time,” which impacted Country radio on March 24th, offers a glimpse into this creative endeavor. Church describes the track as a way to “feel not as old,” connecting with the emotions and experiences of his past through music.
Another standout track is “Darkest Hour,” released prior to the album to support relief efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Church donated all his publishing royalties to aid in rebuilding efforts. “That song had the chance to change things—it already has,” he reflects. “The greatest concert I’ve ever played was the Concert for Carolina – that’s the greatest thing I’ve been involved with. This song played a big part of that night and is a rallying cry for the people there that still need a lot of help. As a person who writes and performs a song, seeing it truly impact people’s lives is the greatest thing you can hope to accomplish.”
Perhaps the most emotionally charged track on the album is “Johnny,” a soul-stirring reinterpretation inspired by “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and the Covenant School tragedy in Nashville. Church previewed the song at his Chief’s To Beat The Devil residency and the recent Country Radio Seminar, leaving audiences deeply moved. “About a year ago, we had a shooting here in Nashville at the Covenant School,” he explained during CRS. “Where my kids go to school, my two boys, is about a mile from that school. I will tell you something, the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life – parent or otherwise – is dropping them off at that school the day after the shooting and watching them walk inside. I sat in the parking lot for a long time, and as fate would have it, as I was pulling out, Charlie Daniels was playing, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia.’ I remember thinking, man, we could use Johnny right now, because the Devil’s not in Georgia, he’s everywhere. I went home and wrote ‘Johnny’.”
With “Evangeline vs. The Machine,” Church continues his legacy of redefining modern country music on his own terms, following the critically acclaimed “Heart & Soul” trilogy released in 2021.
Fans can also pre-order an Amazon Music exclusive “Evangeline vs. The Machine” vinyl in translucent light blue, available via Amazon.com or directly in the Amazon Music app, with fast and free shipping for Prime members.
Evangeline vs. The Machine Track List:
- Hands Of Time (Eric Church, Scooter Carusoe)
- Bleed On Paper (Tucker Beathard, Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
- Johnny (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Brett Warren)
- Storm In Their Blood (Eric Church)
- Darkest Hour (Eric Church)
- Evangeline (Eric Church, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
- Rocket’s White Lincoln (Eric Church)
- Clap Hands (Tom Waits)
About Eric Church:
Eric Church’s impressive career boasts seven ACM Awards, four CMA Awards (including the 2020 Entertainer of the Year), and 10 GRAMMY nominations. His passionate fan base has propelled his critically acclaimed catalog to remarkable heights. Church’s October 2024 release, “Darkest Hour,” demonstrated his commitment to his home state of North Carolina, with all publishing royalties donated to hurricane relief efforts. His forthcoming album, “Evangeline vs. The Machine,” marks his first new music since the “Heart & Soul” triple album. Church’s catalog includes RIAA Gold-certified “Desperate Man,” Platinum-certified “Sinners Like Me” and “Carolina,” and multi-Platinum certified albums like “Mr. Misunderstood,” “The Outsiders,” and “Chief.” He also has 32 Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certified songs to his credit. Beyond music, Church is a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, co-owner of Field & Stream, has his own SiriusXM music channel, “Eric Church Outsiders Radio,” his own liquor offering, Whiskey JYPSI, and recently opened Chief’s, a six-story venue on Nashville’s lower Broadway.