The Last Pale Light in the West mini-LP due Jan. 20, Lucero’s Universal debut scheduled for summer.

By Blurt Staff

Lucero vocalist-guitarist Ben Nichols will release his solo debut, a mini-LP called The Last Pale Light in the West, on Jan. 20 on the Liberty & Lament/The Rebel Group label. The news came simultaneously with the announcement that Lucero has signed to Universal Records, with a studio album scheduled for summer 2009.

The Last Pale Light in the West was recorded in August with Rick Steff (Cat Power, Lucero) and Todd Beane (Glossary), and features seven songs inspired by author Cormac McCarthy’s novel Blood Meridian. The record “displays Nichols’ signature gravelly voice accompanied by his acoustic guitar and complimented by Steff’s perfectly placed piano and accordion parts, as well as Beane’s subtle pedal steel guitar.” Nichols’ has been performing tracks from the album, along with Lucero favorites, on the Revival Tour with Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) and Tim Barry (AVAIL), as well as Tom Gabel (Against Me!).

More Nichols news, from the press release:

…2008 has been a busy year for Nichols, which has found him exploring and pursuing different artistic endeavors.  He started it out by contributing vocals to The Hold Steady’s most recent album, Stay Positive, and was featured on the first single, “Sequestered in Memphis” as well as the tracks “Constructive Summer” and “Magazines.”  Nichols starred in a leading role for MTV New Media’s upcoming and groundbreaking, online serial-music drama, $5 Cover.  Created by filmmaker Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan), the series is dedicated to the historic music scene of Memphis, Tennessee—Nichols’ current hometown—and the lives of young modern-day artists working to put their twist on the storied musical landscape created by legendary musicians before them.

“Nichols also did a song for All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash where he contributed his take on “Delia’s Gone” to the compilation CD (out now on Anchorless Records).  All profits from sales go to the Syrentha Savio Endowment (SSE), a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to underprivileged women who cannot afford the expense of fighting breast cancer.”

Tour dates are below.

Ben Nichols "New Song" video:

Ben Nichols tour dates:

Ben Nichols (Acoustic) Tour Dates

For the most current tour dates, check out www.luceromusic.com or www.myspace.com/lucero.