With DOLPH CHANEY's highly anticipated album MUG already in pre-order and on its way to an early October release, Big Stir Records is proud to bring you a second advance single from the acclaimed Chicagoland indie rocker. “Cool In The Sunshine”, a track every bit as breezy and radio-ready as its title might imply, will be released September 29, one week before the album hits record stores and streaming services worldwide. As an additional (and season-appropriate) treat for fans, the single features an exclusive non-album virtual B-side, “The Old Ghosts”.

There's a lot feeding into the buzz surrounding MUG: the indie radio success of its lead single “Mr. Eli,” the barnstorming local gigs from the freshly-minted live outfit DOLPH CHANEY & THE PHINS, and more than anything the sheer momentum built up across Chaney's two Big Stir Records albums. From 2020's lo-fi manifesto REBUILDING PERMIT through 2021's Nick Bertling-produced THIS IS DOLPH CHANEY, he's made fast friends and fans on the global pop rock scene, all eager for his next release. The sweetly hook-filled “Cool In The Sunshine” will do nothing to chill expectations: it is in fact perhaps the most direct, romantic tune from Dolph's recent oeuvre, with the singer-songwriter willing to classify it as a genuine love song. It's also a rare co-writing credit, making it the closest collaboration yet with producer/drummer/multi-instrumentalist Bertling, who helmed MUG as he had THIS IS... before it. Dolph explains the song's origins:

“I frequently get decent ideas while doing chores; this is the first time (in 36 years of songwriting) I've ever gotten a song idea while mowing the lawn. On 'Cool In The Sunshine,' I completed the verses and chorus but felt it wasn't fully baked, so Nick took over and supplied the perfect bridge, adding Ham to the Hitchcock in order to produce a lovely chicken cordon Bleu result – ironic for a song written about a lovely vegetarian, but that's how this stuff rolls sometimes.” From Dolph's lawn to the international airwaves, the simply gorgeous “Cool” stands likely to reach the indefatigable indie troubadour's widest audience yet.

The exclusive non-album virtual B-side “The Old Ghosts” may not have landed on MUG, but it's sure to adorn many a Halloween playlist. “I’ve participated in Spooky Season before in music – the 2021 single 'This Halloween' (just compiled on the MIDNIGHT SKATE benefit album from Smelly Rick Records) and the most recent summer B-side 'Murderfish' – but with comic horror both times. This time, it’s personal,” says Dolph. “The lyric comes from my oldest recurring nightmare, which I can remember having back into childhood. I’m being chased by an old ghostly couple through a decaying church belfry and then out into a field, up and down a tree, and up to a precipice. Think 'American Gothic' with the pitchfork pointed forward and the gaze more fixed toward the dreamer. I set it to a strange but simple mantra of a tune, plonking an accompaniment on Casio piano, and sent it over to Nick Bertling for feedback. And oh, did he feed it back. If you want dread, you got it.”

Seasonal shenanigans aside, there seems little to fear when “Cool In The Sunshine” sees release, and MUG follow it one week later: DOLPH CHANEY has guaranteed hits on his hands.