New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Today, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ondara unveils new single "A Prophet Of Doom." Of the song, Ondara states," 'A Prophet of Doom' is a collection of my thoughts and lamentations on democracy. Contested election results, and divisive leadership are fairly commonplace where I'm from, I was surprised to find that
America has similar struggles. I suppose the human condition is the same regardless of where in the world you are. Power will always corrupt, greed will always rear its disruptive buttock, and people will always organize themselves in competing tribes."
"A Prophet Of Doom" is from Ondara's forthcoming third studio album, Spanish Villager No: 3, which is set for release on
September 16 via
Verve Forecast. "A Prophet Of Doom" follows the release of "An Alien In Minneapolis," and "A Nocturnal Heresy" the first two tracks to be released from Spanish Villager No: 3. The namesake behind the new album is The Spanish Villager: a mysterious man with a potent message who has proven to be a versatile guy: he's the subject of a short story Ondara wrote and turned into a graphic novel, and now a new album. The album is produced by Ondara and Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis, Dan Wilson) with contributions from Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes,
Sebastian Steinberg, Tim Kuhl and Jeremy Stacey. The new collection of songs features a much more full, electric sound.
In celebration of the new music, Ondara is set to have an album release show at New York City's Bowery Ballroom on
September 14. His US fall tour has been postponed to next year and new dates will be announced soon - his tour update. Tickets for the album release show can be found at www.spanishvillager.com.
The new music has received early critical praise; NPR
Music states of "An Alien In Minneapolis," "Ondara has done more than simply add an electric bass or drum kit on the new single. It's a completely new sonic package that embraces both his intriguing voice and a unique accent that remains present when he sings."
Spanish Villager No: 3 follows his 2020 sophomore album, Folk N' Roll Vol 1: Tales of Isolation, and his 2019 debut album, Tales of America, which was released to widespread critical praise, receiving a nomination for Best Americana Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards, and Ondara also received a nod for Best Emerging Act at the 2019 Americana Awards.
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 was granted a visa through the immigration lottery system. He chose Minneapolis as his home to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter with Dylan in mind. 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. Ondara has toured extensively including sold out European performances, a completely sold-out headlining U.S. tour, appearances at festivals nationwide including Xponential Festival, Newport Folk Festival and Edmonton Folk Festival, and opened for the likes of The Lumineers, First Aid Kit, Neil Young, The Head & The Heart, and more.
SPANISH VILLAGER NO: 3 TRACKLIST
An Alien in Minneapolis
A
Blackout in Paris
A Seminar in Tokyo
A
Shakedown in Berlin
A Drowning in Mexico City
A Prophet of Doom
A Seasonal Amnesia
A Nocturnal Heresy
A Suspicious Deliverance
A Witch and A Saint
A Contrarian Odyssey
An Alien in Minneapolis
- Edit (DIGITAL ONLY)
