This new composition, written during rehearsals for Stereophonic’s run in London’s West End, finds Butler channeling the tumult of chaos and talent at the core of the play’s narrative through the London cast of the play. 

Will Butler, on “Dark Night”:

The song itself is a dark fairytale about a mother and child on the run—a little bit “Skye Boat Song,” a little bit “When the Levee Breaks.”

I wrote it because I was working with a great band—this cast—and wanted to keep collaborating with them on something new. The title of the song is referenced in the play—as a surprise hit that’s climbing the charts—and it seemed like a fun jumping off point.

We recorded in one day at the legendary RAK studios in London; the track is essentially live off the floor, with a few overdubs done backstage at the Duke of York’s Theater in the West End.

The London cast features Zachary Hart (The Seagull), Lucy Karczewski, Jack Riddiford (Jerusalem), Chris Stack (Interview With the Vampire), Nia Towle (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Andrew R. Butler (Rags Parkland Sings Songs of the Future), and Eli Gelb (The Mastermind), joined on this recording by Will Butler, Justin Craig, and Jerome van den Berghe.