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.”
Set for release on June 26th, 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 Theater