Dualtone Marks 25 Years With 17-Track Compilation and Live Anniversary Events

Dualtone Records is releasing Keep Pressing On: 25 Years Of Dualtone, a 17-song compilation that spans the label's roster across multiple generations. The album arrives December 4 and aims to present material that reflects relationships the label has built with its artists rather than a straight catalogue best-of.

The tracklist mixes unreleased songs, new recordings and covers. Notable inclusions:

• The Lumineers contribute "Isabelle Fly," a previously unreleased song linked to the era around their 2012 debut.
• Jack Van Cleaf covers Kris Kristofferson's "Best of All Possible Worlds," with an official video directed by Kenna Salvant.
• Abraham Alexander teams with Joy Oladokun for a version of "Fire And Rain."
• Mountain Grass Unit joins Hayes Carll on "Railroad River Junction."
• Angie McMahon records "Clay Pigeons."
• Judah & the Lion record "Old Man," and Langhorne Slim contributes "What A Wonderful World."

Other artists represented include Shakey Graves, Flipturn, Futurebirds, Mt. Joy, The Brook & The Bluff, Kathleen Edwards, Gatlin, Shovels & Rope, Gregory Alan Isakov and Aubory Bugg, among others. The full tracklist opens with Shakey Graves' "One In A Million" and closes with Gregory Alan Isakov's rendition of "The Parting Glass."

Rather than centering the release on familiar catalogue hits, Dualtone assembled songs that illustrate the label's working relationships with musicians. The Lumineers' "Isabelle Fly" is framed by a personal anecdote about the label's support early in their career. The compilation also brings together collaborative performances and covers that connect newer and longer-standing roster members.

Dualtone timed anniversary activity to coincide with AmericanaFest. On September 16 the label held a panel titled "Dualtone at 25: Keep Pressing On," moderated by World Cafe host Raina Douris. Participants included Dualtone co-founder Scott Robinson, executives Whitaker Elledge and Julie Muncy, The Team's Keith Levy and recording artist Aubory Bugg.

That night at The Basement East Dualtone hosted its official 25th Anniversary Bash. The live bill included Houndmouth, Shakey Graves, The Brook & The Bluff, Langhorne Slim, Futurebirds, Abraham Alexander and Aubory Bugg, with additional special guests.

Dualtone also had a presence at the Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium on September 16. Kathleen Edwards was nominated for Album of the Year for Billionaire (produced by Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson). Shakey Graves and Langhorne Slim were scheduled to present awards.

Keep Pressing On is Dualtone's third anniversary compilation. Previous collections were 2016's In Case You Missed It and 2021's Amerikinda: 20 Years Of Dualtone. This release emphasizes continuity across the label's first 25 years and pays tribute to the late Paul Roper, who served as president and partner until his death in 2024.

• Release date: December 4
• The compilation contains 17 tracks spanning rarities, unreleased material, covers and collaborations.

If you follow Dualtone artists or Americana and indie-folk scenes, the compilation gathers unusual or previously unavailable recordings alongside new interpretations that link the label's past and present. For concertgoers, the anniversary events offered opportunities to see multiple Dualtone acts perform in one setting.