New York, NY (Top40 Charts) J.S. Ondara's debut album, Tales of America, is set for release February 1 via
Verve Forecast/Universal Music. "It is essentially a documentation of my time in America," Ondara explains. "A deliberation on the times, and a search for wisdom and the American dream." Last week, Ondara released a session version of his latest single, "Torch Song".
The completely acoustic album was produced by Grammy-nominated Mike Viola (Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis) and was recorded at Boulevard Recording and East West Studios in Los Angeles. All lyrics were written by Ondara and the album features collaborations with artists including Andrew Bird, Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of
Dawes and Joey Ryan of The Milk Carton Kids.
After releasing "
American Dream", the first single from his upcoming debut album, J.S. Ondara was named an NPR
Music Slingshot Artist. The Slingshot program is a collective effort among tastemaking NPR member stations to introduce exceptional up-and-coming artists. NPR
Music explains he's "singing songs about
America through his unique perspective and stunning voice." Additionally, Rolling Stone Country is featuring Ondara amongst their "Artists You Need To Know." Brooklyn Vegan called it "...yet another example of J.S. Ondara's knack for making powerful, gripping music that has an old soul but doesn't sound outdated."
Ondara just wrapped a North American tour with Lindsey Buckingham. He has previously supported Anderson East, First Aid Kit, The Milk Carton Kids and Mt. Joy as well as performing on recent dates with The Head & The Heart.
J.S. Ondara grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, listening to American alt-rock and making up his own songs for as long as he can remember. At an early age, he fell in love with the music of
Bob Dylan and moved to Minneapolis in 2013 to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter. He began making his way in the local music scene, continually writing songs about what he saw, felt and experienced in a place far different from home.
J.S. Ondara - Tales of America:
American Dream
Torch Song
Saying Goodbye
Days Of Insanity
Television Girl
Turkish Bandana
Lebanon
Good Question
Master O'Connor
Give Me a Moment
God Bless America
