-- 1193 Records is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Fault Line Sessions (Live from Clubhouse Studio), a six-track live album and cinematic video series from American singer-songwriter and pianist Zoey Tess. Set for release on May 15, 2026, the project reimagines songs from Tess’s alternative-indie rock debut, There’s Gonna Be a Reckoning, through raw piano, lead vocals, and an orchestral string quartet recorded in one-room live takes at Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, New York.
Designed as both a musical performance and a social statement, The Fault Line Sessions strips Tess’s work down to its most immediate elements. Where There’s Gonna Be a Reckoning introduced her protest-driven songwriting through a full-band alternative-indie rock sound, the new live project brings the lyrics closer to the listener. The result is a high-fidelity acoustic and orchestral collection that places Tess’s voice, piano, and message at the center.
At its core, the project features four original tracks and two Bob Dylan covers, captured with an emphasis on urgency, vulnerability, and lyrical clarity. Tess performs piano and lead vocals simultaneously throughout the sessions, joined by an orchestral string quartet led by cellist Tiger Darrow. The live album was engineered by Paul Antonell, owner and producer at Clubhouse Studio, and mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound. Videos from the project will be available exclusively on Apple Music and VEVO, while the live album will be released across major streaming platforms.
“The intention behind The Fault Line Sessions was to leave the lyrics laid bare and impossible to ignore,” Tess says. “We are living in a time where marginalized communities are seeing their rights stripped away. As artists, we can offer hope and perspective, while also challenging those in power. These songs are about returning to that 1960s tradition where music was a tool for a reckoning.”
Tess’s work draws from the grit of 1990s alternative rock and the social consciousness of the 1960s folk movement, creating a bridge between personal musicianship and public witness. Songs such as Knocking at Your Front Door and You Just Missed Him reflect her lyrics-first approach, addressing themes of policy, inequality, religious hypocrisy, and people pushed to the margins of society. Rather than soften these subjects, the new live format gives them more space, allowing each line to land with the weight of a direct conversation.
The sessions also reflect Tess’s broader artistic identity as a classically trained musician with a commitment to independent activism. Her background in piano, violin, voice, musical theatre, and independent songwriting informs the precision of the performances, while her involvement with Artist For Action aligns her music with advocacy around gun violence prevention.
For 1193 Records, The Fault Line Sessions continues the label’s mission of pairing independent protest music with high-level production. The project’s setting at Clubhouse Studio, its orchestral arrangement, and its technical pedigree support the label’s goal of delivering socially conscious music with sonic authority. The release also follows Tess’s March 27, 2026 debut album, There’s Gonna Be a Reckoning, which was recorded at Clubhouse Studio and featured contributions from Grammy-nominated cellist Dave Eggar, producer Spencer Hattendorf, Paul Antonell, Grammy Award-winning engineer Mario J. McNulty, and mastering engineer Chris Gehringer.
As audiences continue to seek music that feels human, intentional, and grounded in the moment, Tess’s live sessions arrive as a deliberate contrast to polished distance. The Fault Line Sessions is built around breath, strings, piano, and words meant to be heard clearly. In that simplicity, Tess presents a project shaped not only by musicianship, but by conviction.
For more information, please visit https://zoeytess.com.
About 1193 Records
1193 Records is an independent music label founded by Zoey Tess and dedicated to high-fidelity music with a social purpose. The label was established to bridge prestige production and independent protest, supporting projects that combine meaningful songwriting with respected studio environments, experienced engineers, and a commitment to social justice. Its work includes releases from Zoey Tess, an American singer-songwriter and pianist whose music blends Americana, folk, alternative rock, and protest songwriting. More information is available at Zoey Tess’s official website.
Contact Info:
Name: Zoey Tess
Email: Send Email
Organization: 1193 Records
Website: https://zoeytess.com
Release ID: 89190728
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