Abigail Washburn readies new CD

"Every song on this album ties into the sense of universal belonging, that we're somehow displaced or seeking refuge from our troubles," said Washburn.

"City of Refuge" was produced by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens). "Tucker is a deeply creative soul and phenomenal engineer who commanded a wonderful atmosphere of musical adventure," she said. "There was a sense that anything could happen."

Recorded in Nashville, Washburn and Tucker were helped by songwriting collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Kai Welch, guitarist Bill Frisell, old time fiddler Rayna Gellert of Uncle Earle and guzheng (the ancient Chinese zither) master Wu Fei.

Ketch Secor and Morgan Jahnig of Old Crow Medicine Show, Chris Funk from The Decemeberists and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket also appear on the record.

This summer, Washburn will tour with Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers in June, perform at the World Expo in Shanghai and tour China followed by an extensive fall tour of the U.S. and beyond.