Shawn Rosenblatt a.k.a. Chicago psych-pop artist Netherfriends is embarking on an extremely ambitious tour -- one that will keep him away from home and jobless for one year. The plan? Rosenblatt wants to take his one-man act on a cross country trek, and write and record a song in all 50 states.

The tour begins tonight on the east coast in Philadelphia at The Ox, but Netherfriends only has 25 shows booked (two in Delaware and New York) as of right now. And aside from a homecoming show at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park on Saturday, July 17, the ambitious project will probably be more of an adventure than a music tour. Check out Rosenblatt explaining the idea in his own words from a Daffodil Publicity press release after the jump.

Starting April, I will be without a home for one year. It seems the easiest way to get to all 50 states in one year is to avoid the paying bills and rent and make different parts of the country my home base. I plan on touring a ton and being broke forever. I am starting my journey East (Philly) and playing with Mark from the band Hop Along and possibly another friend. Below is the list of dates. If you’d like us to play at your venue/house/party or if you would like to offer up your house so I can write and record a song in it, please message me Netherfriendsbooking@gmail.com.

You can also keep close tabs on Rosenblatt by checking out his blog, tumblr and even follow him on Twitter.

Additionally, Netherfriends’ tour is in support of his upcoming, parentally named release, Barry and Sherry, which will be released later this summer. Here’s a video for the track “Lead You Through the Misty Fog of Milwaukee Ave” off the upcoming album:

Finally, here is Netherfriends’ current tour itinerary, but expect more dates to be added soon:

Netherfriends Tour Dates (so far)
Apr 14 -- The Ox -- Philadelphia, PA
Apr 15 -- Mojo 13 -- Wilmington, DE
Apr 17 -- House Show -- Rehoboth Beach, DE
Apr 18 -- Baltimore
Apr 19 -- House Show -- Richmond, VA
Apr 20 -- Village Tavern -- Mt Pleasant, SC
Apr 21 -- 641 RPM -- Boone, NC
Apr 22 -- Wonder Root -- Atlanta, GA
Apr 23 -- The Farside -- Tallahassee, FL
Apr 24 -- Alabama Music Box -- Mobile, AL
Apr 25 -- Kentucky Coffetree Cafe -- Frankfort, KY
Apr 26 -- West Virginia
Apr 30 -- House Show -- Richmond, VA
May 1 -- Columbia Heights -- Washington, DC
May 8 -- 7th St Entry -- Minneapolis, MN
May 22 -- New Jersey
May 23 -- New York, NY
May 24 -- Cake Shop -- NY, NY
May 25 -- Connecticut
May 26 -- Rhode Island
May 27 -- Mayo Streets Arts -- Portland, ME
May 28 -- New Hampshire
May 29 -- The Lamb Abbey Art Society -- Montpelier, VT
May 30 -- WTF Fest 3 @ Cape Cod Museum of Art -- Dennis, MA
May 31 -- Upstate NY

(Dates that still need venues)