Graham Tolbert
Wednesday have shared “Elderberry Wine,” their first new release since the band dropped their 2023 breakout album Rat Saw God.
The bittersweet love song is studded with lap steel guitar and Karly Hartzman's observational lyrics that include references to electric cars, boiled eggs, and tearing up during an ad break. The band will make their TV debut tonight (May 21) when they perform the song live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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“‘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,” Hartzman said in a statement. “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.”
The "Elderberry Wine" video, which can be seen below, was directed by Spencer Kelly and shot at The Bench, Greensboro's second-oldest bar. The extras are all regulars, including Hartzman dad, George.
While MJ Lenderman contributed to "Elderberry Wine" as a member of Wednesday, he revealed in a recent GQ profile that he will no longer tour or play live with the band. He and Hartzman dated for a number of years, but are no longer in a relationship.
