Make plans to join us for a very special album release celebration with Rufus Wainwright! He’ll be in town to play a couple of intimate shows in at City Winery Nashville and will be stopping by Grimey’s to meet fans and sign copies of his brand new album, I’m a Stranger Here - Wainwright Sings Weill. On the album Wainwright joins forces with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Los Angeles’ premier 40-piece orchestral jazz ensemble to delve into the rich and complex songbook of legendary German-American composer Kurt Weill. In order to participate in our special album signing and meet & greet with Rufus, you’ll need a wristband. These are free with preorders of the album from Grimey’s, while supplies last. If you haven’t already scored tickets to one of Rufus’ City Winery Shows, be sure to enter to win a pair of tickets next time you’re in the shop. (Winners will be contacted by phone on Wednesday, 11/19.)

Due to the special nature of this event and the limited amount of time we’ll have with the artist, each person with a wristband may have up to two albums signed and have their photo taken with Rufus. Every order placed for Grimey’s includes one wristband (where an order for 2 albums = one wristband just as an order placed for 1 album = one wristband.) Preorders can be place on our site here or in the record shop. Wristbands are extremely limited and are only available while supplies last.

I’m a Stranger Here Myself–Wainwright Does Weill not only honors Kurt Weill’s legacybut also continues Rufus Wainwright’s lifelong exploration of artists who, like him, live at the crossroads of high art, pop culture, and emotional excess.Known for his theatrical flair and vocal prowess, Wainwright’s fascination with Weill’s music goes back for decades—in his early twenties he wore out the vinyl grooves of Teresa Stratas’ famous Weill album and he has long expressed his admiration for Weill’s unique blend of “pop music with an operatic sensibility, the profane with the divine.”Premiering in May 2023 at New York City’s Café Carlyle, Wainwright Does Weill marked Wainwright’s first extensive exploration of Weill’s repertoire. While Weill’s musical influence can be heard in Wainwright’s own songwriting, he had never before dedicated an entire evening to singing the German musician’s songs. Wainwright followed the sold-out five-night residency in New York by expanding his approach with a fully orchestrated concert version performed on the grand stage of Los Angeles, CA’s Theatre at Ace Hotel in 2024with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra under the baton of Chris Walden in 2024.Wainwright and the PJO brought a unique interpretation to Weill’s singular compositions, which are celebrated for their fusion of classical, cabaret, and jazz elements.with featured performances of classic songs such as “Surabaya Johnny,” “Je ne t’aime pas,” “SeptemberSong,” and “Lost in the Stars.” Now captured on record for the first time and featuring guest appearances byViola Odette Harlow and the Netherlands’ famed Metropole Orkest, I’m a Stranger Here Myself–Wainwright Does Weill, is at its core less about perfect preservation of the past and more about breathing new life into it–channeling Kurt Weill’s music through a 21st century lens with wit, grandeur, and unapologetic heart.

We’re excited to get to meet Rufus Wainwright and celebrate his new album with him on release day. Hope to see you here for his special occasion too!