See Jonny Fritz’s Obsessive ‘Humidifier’ on ‘Music City Roots’
There are very few people on earth who can write a swinging country love song and name it “Humidifier,” with surprisingly charming results. Chief among them: Jonny Fritz, who debuted the new track last week during the Music City Roots weekly radio show in Franklin, Tennessee. Alongside a band that included Joshua Hedley on fiddle, Jerry Pentecost on drums, Taylor Zachry on bass and Steelism’s Spencer Cullum Jr. on pedal steel, Fritz played a selection of tunes new and old at the weekly event, hosted Jim Lauderdale.
“Humidifier,” off his forthcoming fourth record, showcases classic Fritz wit and wordplay while dealing in a subject that’s propelled a million sonnets — untouchable, slightly stalkerish love (watch the video above). Introduced to many by his frequent comrades Dawes, Fritz was initially known for his humorous brand of “Dad Country,” inspired by the quirk of comedic twangers like Roger Miller and dealt in subjects like forgetting to take out the trash and the great mystery of “Silver Panty Liners.” Since then, Fritz has proved he’s good for way more than just a laugh — his clever, weird and often surprisingly poignant point of view is gold in a sea of beer-swigging truck songs. “I want to bottle your scent and then put a little bit into my humidifier,” he sings on the track — maybe not everyone would cop to that level of obsession, but everyone’s experienced intoxicating romance. Or at least stolen an ex’s t-shirt.
Also known for his custom leatherwork (everyone from Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith to Andrew Combs sport his monogram straps), embarrassing uncle dance moves and unforgettable fashion sense (just check out those sparkly gold kicks), Fritz now lives in Los Angeles — but can be seen roaming the country in his red “Dad Country”-emblazoned van. His fourth album, via ATO, will be out sometime this year.