American Football announce self-titled covers album

American Football are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their extremely influential 1999 debut album by performing it in full on tour this year, and they’re also putting out a remastered reissue and an album with covers of every song on the album called American Football (Covers). The Iron & Wine cover of “Never Meant” is out now, and the album also features contributions by Manchester Orchestra, Ethel Cain, Blondshell, Yvette Young (of Covet), John McEntire (of Tortoise and the Sea and Cake), and more.

“When the first Iron & Wine record came out, it threaded the needle between Townes Van Zandt and Elliott Smith,” says American Football’s Steve Holmes. “It felt as if Nick Drake grew up with us listening to Fugazi before pivoting to making bedroom art folk. In other words, it was exactly what we would have been making if our first record came out when we were 28 instead of 22. Sam Beam is an incredible songwriter and interpreter of song, and it is beyond flattering that he would take the time to interpret one of ours.”

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Beam, who recorded the song with producer Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Bon Iver), adds, “My neighbor Brad Cook and I have been circling each other hoping to work on something for a bit. When I was asked about this project, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Especially a song that I knew meant a lot to American Football’s fans. Honored to be part of this and hoping we did it justice.”

Watch the video for Iron & Wine’s “Never Meant” cover, directed by Alec Basse and Max Moore, and listen to the remastered version of “Never Meant” below, alongside a list of all upcoming tour dates.

American Football (Covers) artwork:

LP1 25th Anniversary Edition artwork:

American Football (Covers) tracklist
1. Iron & Wine – “Never Meant”
2. Blondshell – “The Summer Ends”
3. Novo Amor & Lowswimmer – “Honestly?”
4. Ethel Cain – “For Sure”
5. Yvette Young – “You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon”
6. Girl Ultra – “But the Regrets Are Killing Me”
7. M.A.G.S. – “I’ll See You When We’re Both Not So Emotional”
8. Manchester Orchestra – “Stay Home”
9. John McEntire – “The One With the Wurlitzer”

American Football 2024 tour dates
09/11 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City #
09/12 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom #
09/13 – Bristol, UK @ SWX #
09/14 – London, UK @ Roundhouse # [SOLD OUT]
09/27 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall % [SOLD OUT]
09/28 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall ^ [SOLD OUT]
10/11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Best Friends Forever Festival
10/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre ~ [SOLD OUT]
10/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre * [SOLD OUT]
10/24 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre !
10/25 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre + [SOLD OUT]
10/26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw # [SOLD OUT]
10/27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw = [SOLD OUT]
11/16 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Corona Capital Festival

# w/ Hello Mary
% w/ BNNY
^ w/ Wishy
~ w/ Yvette Young
* w/ M.A.G.S.
! w/ Sweet Pill
+ w/ Aunt Katrina
= w/ IAN SWEET