Patterson Hood

Hood’s fourth solo album and first in over 12 years, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams explores his youth and young manhood through songs gathered over his career. The album was inspired in part by his short story “The Exploding Trees,” about a natural disaster in his North Alabama hometown around the time he turned 30 and moved to Athens, Georgia, where Drive-By Truckers were co-founded in 1996. Some songs provided creative sustenance during lockdown; others had been in his notebooks for years. “Airplane Screams,” written over four decades ago, was recorded successfully for the first time.

Hood’s friendship with producer and musician Chris Funk, formed after Hood moved to Portland in 2013, helped drive the album. They began recording in 2023, with Hood aiming for “a bigger departure” from Drive-By Truckers and his previous solo work. He wrote much of the album on piano and played the piano parts himself at Funk’s encouragement. The arrangements move beyond his traditionally guitar-driven sound, incorporating strings, woodwinds, and vintage analog synthesizers.

The album features autobiographical songs including “Pinocchio” and “Miss Coldiron’s Oldsmobile.” Hood describes its themes as partly unintended, saying there were “a lot a lot of happy accidents in this record.” The cover art is by Athens artist Frances Thrasher.

Hood will mark the album’s release with the Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams 2025 Tour, backed by his band, The Sensurrounders, with special guest Lydia Loveless. The tour begins March 19 at Brooklyn Made in Brooklyn, New York, and includes stops in Washington, DC, Atlanta, and Nashville. It concludes April 5 at The Whirling Tiger in Louisville, Kentucky. Local and venue presales begin Thursday, November 21 at 10:00 am local time. Remaining tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, November 22 at 10:00 am local time. Additional dates will be announced soon.