Kevin Morby Concocts ‘PBJ’ In Studio, Stores

Kevin Morby is extending the summer shelf life of his latest Dead Oceans album Little Wide Open with a song that comes with its own road trip instructions — and, naturally, a nationwide menu.

“PBJ” was recorded during Aaron Dessner-produced sessions for that project but is only now seeing the light of day. It features Dessner on bass and guitar, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on guitar, Andrew Barr on drums and Morby on vocals and additional guitar.

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As Morby explains, the song’s title comes from an expression a friend once used to describe driving with the windows down while simultaneously blasting the air conditioning. She called the maneuver “Peanut Butter Jelly,” a phrase Morby says he has never encountered anywhere else. He nevertheless adopted it — and now he has turned it into a song.

For “PBJ,” Morby is taking the title literally by teaming with a collection of favorite food and drink establishments around the country for a series of peanut butter and jelly-inspired collaborations. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is offering a PBJ flavor at select locations, while New Orleans’ Turkey and the Wolf has created a custom PBJ hat and burger. Los Angeles’ Bub and Grandma’s will host an in-store performance, and New York’s Culture Espresso and Rockaway Beach Bakery are getting into the act with a PBJ cookie and croissant, respectively.

The culinary tour continues through Memphis, where Global Cafe is serving a PBJ drink with $2 from each sale benefiting Second Chance Kitchen; Durham’s Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery is offering a PBJ sandwich; Kansas City’s Heirloom Bakery has multiple PBJ creations, including an ice cream sandwich; and the local Mr. D’s Donut Shop is doing, naturally, a PBJ donut.

Morby will also bring the story of Little Wide Open to Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum on Sept. 22 for an interview and performance with his music and life partner, Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee.

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