Dave Simonett needed a change of pace. Before Trampled By Turtles went on hiatus in October, he'd played in the Duluth bluegrass band for over a decade. He and Mark Gehring launched GNDWIRE Records in 2015. The year before that, he released a solo EP called Razor Pony. But this year, it was time to revisit Dead Man Winter. Today, Simonett's introspective folk-rock band debut the first single from their new album Furnace (out Jan. 27) and announce a headlining Feb. 10 First Avenue show.

It's been five years since Dead Man Winter released Bright Lights, their lyrical first album (Simonett says it feels like longer). Furnace is the second try at album number two. Surrounded by ace musicians, including Bryan Nichols, Erik Koskinen, and JT Bates, Simonett recorded the new songs at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls.

"Destroyer," the first single from Furnace, comes out today on the radio and streaming services. The music may sound upbeat, with autumn-colored harmonies sluicing over crisp guitars, but the words stay decidedly pensive. Simonett sings that he is "changing with the seasons."

As Trampled By Turtles goes on hiatus, Simonett has plenty to keep him busy.