Southern gothic troubadour Jim White (not to be confused with the Dirty Three et al. drummer of the same name, nor any relation to Jack or Meg) is set to release Transnormal Skiperoo on March 4 via David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. Odd name for an album, no? White explains that "Transnormal Skiperoo" is a feeling he gets when he finds himself extremely happy despite all the hardships he's had to face in life. You can sample the album's songs here.
White is joined by a bevy of talented guests on the album. The band Ollabelle backs White throughout. On certain tracks, he's joined by the likes of Laura Veirs; Tucker Martine, who co-produced and mixed the Decemberists' 2006 album, The Crane Wife, with Chris Walla; bluegrass duo Jeff and Vida; and others. Another artists known for incisive, personal songwriting, Joe Pernice, produced Transnormal Skiperoo along with Michael Demming.