Backyard Tire Fire has reemerged with an invigorating burst of musical creativity, reminiscent of a long-awaited family reunion. The Midwestern guitar rock band presents "Black Dirt Blue Sky," their first new collection of recordings in a decade.

The music embodies a sense of renewal, akin to the revitalizing power of a John Deere tractor tilling fertile soil. The passion infused into these tracks reflects the joy of bandmates Edward David Anderson, Matt Anderson, Scott Tipping, and John Ganser as they reunite to create new songs after their lengthy hiatus.

Lead vocalist and songwriter Edward David Anderson expressed, “These tunes and this lineup are by far the best this band has ever sounded.” "Black Dirt Blue Sky" is filled with moments that evoke nostalgia and happiness. The track "Carefree Kids" stirs fond memories, while “Alejandro Escovedo” serves as a clever tribute to the enigmatic nature of dreams and pays homage to the legendary rocker. The band's extensive experience touring across the United States and their history of crafting timeless alt-country records in the early 2000s shine through in current tracks like “Little Wren,” which radiate a sense of beauty and joy.

Anderson noted, “It's a story of redemption and perseverance, of second chances. The pandemic even tried to foil it, but we wouldn't have it. We hunkered down and put this beautiful recording together in home studios throughout Illinois and beyond.”

In the early 2000s, Backyard Tire Fire garnered significant attention from radio stations such as Chicago’s WXRT-FM. Their 2010 album "Good To Be" was produced by Grammy Award-winning Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Johnny Hickman of Cracker has likened their sound to that of Wilco, characterized by crisp guitar tones, tight harmonies, and incisive lyrics. The core essence of the band is shaped by the guitar skills of Anderson and Tipping (of The Mighty Blue Kings). Matt Anderson plays bass, while John Ganser (of The Something Brothers) takes on drumming duties. From the driving energy of “House of Cards” to the reflective country ballad “Truck Stop Shower,” the songs on "Black Dirt Blue Sky" blend the familiar with the fresh.

In recent years, Anderson has released four highly regarded solo albums and has performed extensively nationwide. Since the band ceased recording and touring together in 2011, its members have faced significant personal losses, yet they have come together to create joyful music once more.

“Hearing some of those older tunes I had written and cared so deeply about made me want to play them again, but it was the new material that really excited me,” Anderson shared. “I had a strong urge to make music with my brother again. So we called our old pal and touring guitar player, brought in the drummer that I had been playing with the previous five years, and Backyard Tire Fire was reborn.”

"Black Dirt Blue Sky," produced by Edward David Anderson, was independently released on September 10, 2021, through Anderson’s Black Dirt Records in partnership with the Royal Potato Family label. In 2021, Backyard Tire Fire performed at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, IL, Alternating Currents in Davenport, IA, and the Black Dirt Music Festival in Bloomington, IL, with plans to appear at select dates and festivals in 2022 and beyond.