Best new music: Tip back some ‘Elderberry Wine’ with Wednesday

Every Monday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf shares a sonic gem she found using her nearly 20 years of new-music exploration experience. You can hear all her discoveries at 2 p.m. every Sunday on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music. 

Not too long ago, Wednesday guitarist MJ Lenderman decided part ways as a touring member to focus on his solo career. But that doesn’t mean the band is breaking up (or that Lenderman won’t sit join them in the studio going forward), so fans don’t need to fret. In fact, the North Carolina roots rockers recently let those roots dig in deeper with a new single called “Elderberry Wine.”

Led by singer and guitarist Karly Hartzman, the band has delivered a twangy, Americana page in a new chapter that’s sure to intrigue. Hartzman is undeniably a poet in her own right; because of this, no matter the genre, any forthcoming songs are sure to inspire and break your heart. Talking about the song, Hartzman had this to share:

“Elderberry Wine” is about the potential for sweet things in life (love, family, success) to become poison if not prepared for and attended to correctly. Elderberry is known as a healing fruit, and is an ingredient in many tonics and syrups to aid the immune system. One time, however, my sister consumed them raw, and it immediately induced vomiting. So “Elderberry Wine” is ultimately a love song about creating just the right environment for fulfillment. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be created, especially in love, for two lives to intersect without poisoning each other.

“Elderberry Wine” landed on the latest episode of What’s All This, which you can check out by using the player at the top of the page, and is the newest member of 88Nine’s regular rotation. Keep an ear open for the track, and be sure to stay dialed in for my latest collection of tunes on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music at 2 p.m. every Sunday.

Best new indie music this week

• The Lemonheads, “Deep End”
• Guerilla Toss, “Psychosis Is Just a Number”
• Girl Tones, “Blame”
• The Bug Club, “Appropriate Emotions”
• Graham Hunt, “Been There Done That”
• Surprise Chef, “Consulate Case”
• Thee Sacred Souls, “We Don’t Have to Be Alone”
• Little Simz, “Young”
• Golomb, “Real Power”
• Aunt Katrina, “Peace of Mind”
• Billie Marten, “Swing”
• Operelly, “If someone’s gonna love you”