Wednesday return with new single, “Elderberry Wine”

The band will also perform the song while making their television debut on ‘Colbert’ tonight.

May 21, 2025 - 16:35

Wednesday return with new single, “Elderberry Wine”

MJ Lenderman has been everywhere lately, but now Wednesday–the Karly Hartzman-led band that he’s still a member of despite no longer touring with them–have released their first new song since their great 2023 album Rat Saw God. It’s called “Elderberry Wine,” and it’s a relaxed-yet-powerful indie-country song that feels as instantly satisfying as any of Wednesday’s best songs.

Karly says, “‘Elderberry Wine’ is about the potential for sweet things in life (love, family, success) to become poison if not prepared for and attended to correctly. Elderberry is known as a healing fruit, and is an ingredient in many tonics and syrups to aid the immune system. One time however, my sister consumed them raw and it immediately induced vomiting. So ‘Elderberry Wine’ is ultimately a love song about creating just the right environment for fulfillment. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be created, especially in love, for two lives to intersect without poisoning each other.”

Of the video, director Spencer Kelly says “We shot most of this music video at The Bench, Greensboro’s second-oldest bar and easily one of its most vibrant. On any given day, you’ll find people there from all walks of life swapping stories beneath the music blasting overhead. We came in with some specific scripted scenes, but we wanted to capture the bar as authentically as possible—so everyone you see in the video is a regular, including Karly’s dad, George. This video is a bit of a love letter to places like this, where the sense of community runs deep and the beers are always cold.” Check it out below.

Wednesday will also perform the song as they make their television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight (5/21). After that, they have two upcoming festival appearances: Project Pabst and Best Friends Forever.

Wednesday - Elderberry Wine _ Single Art by Kamila Mlynarczyk