American Aquarium is poised for another stellar album in 2026. The North Carolina based outfit has proven over the course of two decades that it doesn’t take a viral TikTok moment to be a mainstay in the music industry. Work your ass off, have songs that can rattle your soul, and melt faces when you get on stage… that’s the recipe that has worked for BJ Barham and the boys. Titled New Ways To Lose, the album’s name was inspired by NC State Wolfpack announcer Gary Hahn, whose saying “and NC State finds a new way to lose today,” mirrors Barham’s experience in the music industry: “No matter what success you find, you’re always looking up the ladder at what you don’t have. It’s about trying so hard to win at something but always finding a way to lose at it.” Produced by Shooter Jennings, one of the hottest producers in the country music world right now, the album was recorded in Los Angeles over a 10-day session. With an emphasis on live tracking, Jennings encouraged the band to lean into their natural chemistry and follow their instincts. And as with all American Aquarium records, Barham says this one will serve as a picture of a place in time, although he’s far from the man he was when they started. He’s a father, a husband, a bandleader, and a songwriter, and he knows exactly who he is and what he stands for. “All of my records are yearbooks. Twenty years from now, I’ll pull them off the shelf and remember exactly who I was when I wrote them.” The album kicks off with “History Repeats Itself,” a pointed lament of our current social-political landscape: American Aquarium 2026 Tour Dates June 26 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry House July 3 – Urbana, IL – Rose Bowl Tavern July 4 – Berwyn, IL – Fitzgerald’s Night Club – American Music Festival July 5 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage August 13 – Floyd, VA – Warren G. Lineberry Park August 14 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium August 15 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre August 16 – Washington DC – Union Stage August 17 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair August 18 – New York, NY – Racket August 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall August 20 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall August 21 – Des Moines, IA – xBk August 22 – Lincoln, NE – Memorial Stadium September 3 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall September 4 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre September 5 – Snowshoe, WV – Snowshoe Mountain Resort – Ballhooter Festival September 6 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry September 7 – Philadelphia, PA – World Stage September 8 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern September 9 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag September 10 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave September 11 – Madison, IN – Unbroken Circle Festival September 12 – St. Louis, MO – The Old Rockhouse September 13 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom September 15 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rhythm Room September 16 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre September 17 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop September 18 – Bend, OR – Silver Moon Brewery September 19 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater September 20 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile September 22 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Boise September 23 – Bozeman, MT – Tune Up Bar September 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell September 25 – Denver, CO – Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox September 26 – Lubbock, TX – Cactus Theater September 27 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom September 28 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall – 1884 Lounge October 22 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads – The Saloon October 23 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom October 24 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre October 25 – Saint Paul, MN – Turf Club October 26 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon October 27 – Davenport, IA – Racoon Motel October 29 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation October 30 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe October 31 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi Indy November 1 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom November 7 – Groningen, NL – Take Root Festival November 8 – Hassocks, UK – Mid Sussex Music Hall November 9 – London, UK – The 100 Club November 10 – Cambridge, UK – Mash November 11 – Manchester, UK – New Century November 12 – Bristol, UK – Thekla November 28 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West November 29 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall November 30 – Orlando, FL – The Social December 1 – Mobile, AL – The Merry Widow December 2 – New Orleans, LA – Chickie Wah Wah December 3 – Houston, TX – The Heights TheaterThe post American Aquarium Announces New Shooter Jennings-Produced Album ‘New Ways To Lose’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.