Friday April 24, 2026 Boulder, CO – Today Bonnie Paine Bonnie Paine, the ethereal voice and multi-instrumentalist behind Elephant Revival, releases Lighthouse, her third single from her forthcoming debut album Unseen, out May 8, 2026.
“Lighthouse” features Leah Song and Chloe Smith of Rising Appalachia.
“Lighthouse is a kind of call to notice the root of currents, or riptides at times that pull people apart while reminding them we are never really separate to begin with, “ Bonnie reflected. “ It’s a quiet rebellion against drift and division, a belief that even at the brink, the tide can still turn if we turn toward each other.
“I’m deeply honored to have this song shaped by T Bone Burnett, iconic archeologist of the living archive of song. With sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith of Rising Appalachia weaving soulful, rhythm-swaying harmonies, and Brittany Haas’s stunning violin at it’s center, it feels like something alive, many voices gathered into one. A turning from fear toward connection, knowing we are of everything, and everything is of us.”
As a multi-instrumentalist, her performances feel alive and organic. There’s a sense of joyful spontaneity in the way she inhabits the stage, balancing playful charisma with deep emotional presence. Bonnie’s concerts move like a living soundtrack: part stripped down vulnerability, part slow-burn crescendo, part rhythmic propulsion. Bonnie will celebrate the release of Unseen with a performance at the Fox Theater in Boulder CO on May 16 with Her Mana opening the night.
Unseen features 10 original songs all written by Bonnie, weaving together an intimate collection of melodies that are as haunting as they are restorative. The masterful curator of timeless recordings, T Bone Burnett produced 5 of the songs at Sound Emporium studios. The very first tracking of the album began with Gregory Alan Isakov, an enigmatic singer songwriter and longtime friend who helped produce and track the song, Fend For Not Fight, at his house, layering his lush vocals piano and keys throughout. The song was then brought to Ferncliff studios to be co-produced with atmospheric architect Daniel Sproul who then tracked and co-produced 4 other songs with Bonnie.
Bonnie Paine has captivated audiences with her unique songwriting on cello, musical saw, guitar and various percussion instruments; from big calf skin bass drums to djembe, to her signature snared electric washboard and stomp box. She has shaped a sound that blends Americana, Indie Art Rock, Acoustic Folk, Alternative and Celtic influences into something deeply her own.
Born in the Oklahoma countryside and now rooted in the mountains of Colorado, Bonnie’s songwriting is deeply influenced by the geography of the heart and the natural world. Her sound is richly layered yet beautifully uncluttered, allowing harmonies and acoustic textures to breathe. Lyrics unfold poetically, creating music that feels like a journey through both inner and outer landscapes. In every note, Bonnie Paine radiates sincerity and creative courage. Her artistry doesn’t just entertain, it uplifts, awakens, and reminds listeners of the quiet magic woven through everyday life.
While she has long been a collaborative force in the indie-folk scene, she has shared that her most fleshed-out musical concepts come to her in solitude. Now, that inner world takes center stage. Marking a major milestone in her career, this new chapter invites listeners into an intimate, evocative space where her warmly haunting vocals and intricate arrangements, refined through years of world travel and creative exploration, finally find a home of their very own.
Watch the two previously released single videos:
