Missouri-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Scout Gillett has unveiled details of her highly anticipated second album, Tough Touch, scheduled for release on 6 March 2026 via her new label, Slouch Records. Alongside the announcement, Gillett shared the album’s driving lead single, “Too Fast To Last,” accompanied by a self-directed music video, offering a first glimpse into the record’s immersive soundscape.
Following her acclaimed 2022 debut, no roof no floor, Gillett has undergone a period of profound personal and artistic growth. The past few years saw her navigating intensive touring schedules, enduring two difficult breakups, surviving a near-fatal accident while filming a DIY video, and relocating from New York to Los Angeles after eight years. Tough Touch captures this tumultuous journey through Gillett’s signature gritty yet cosmic twang, showcasing her evolution as a lyricist and the power of her commanding vocals.
Reflecting on “Too Fast To Last,” Gillett comments: “I wrote this immediately after my first headlining European tour. It conveys the tension of chasing highs—romantic, personal, and professional—while feeling perpetually out of sync with friends and life’s milestones. Recording it with the band in Austin, particularly while huddled together during a New Orleans flash flood, was one of the most intimate moments I’ve shared creatively.”
The album originated in Gillett’s former Bed-Stuy bedroom on a four-track Tascam portastudio, emphasising raw songwriting over digital production. Her subsequent “build-a-band” tour allowed her to collaborate with new musicians, ultimately solidifying a lineup of longtime collaborator Ted Jamison (bass), Abdon Valdez (drums), and Omar Schambacher (guitar). Drawing inspiration from artists including Neil Young, PJ Harvey, Hole, and Lucinda Williams, Gillett recorded the album largely live with producer Stuart Sikes (Cat Power, The White Stripes, Modest Mouse), blending grungy urgency with tender expansiveness.
Now settled in Los Angeles, Gillett continues to write for her third album, asserting that Tough Touch represents a deeper self-awareness and resilience: “I’ve learned to trust my intuition, embrace independence, and approach relationships with greater love and confidence.”
Scout Gillett Tour Dates 2026
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 02/08 | Los Angeles, CA, USA | Zebulon |
| 03/08 | Ridgewood, NY, USA | TV Eye |
| 03/11 | Turin, IT | Blah Blah |
| 03/14 | Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, FR | Rocksea |
| 03/16 | Paris, FR | Studio Olympia @ Pigalle Country (DJ Set) |
| 03/17 | Paris, FR | Studio Olympia @ Le Serpent à Plume |
| 03/18 | London, UK | The Shacklewell Arms |
| 03/19 | Leeds, UK | Headrow House |
| 03/20 | Brighton, UK | The Oak |
| 03/21 | Charleroi, BE | Femmes de Mars Festival @ Vecteur |
| 03/22 | Kusel, DE | Kinett |
| 03/24 | Copenhagen, DK | Råhuset |
| 03/25 | Hamburg, DE | Hafenklang |
| 03/26 | Kronach, DE | Tiger Lounge |
| 03/27 | Offenbach am Main, DE | Hafen 2 |
| 05/02 | Los Angeles, CA, USA | Non Plus Ultra |
Tough Touch promises a raw yet expansive musical experience, marking Gillett’s confident leap forward as an artist unafraid to explore vulnerability, resilience, and sonic innovation.