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For Immediate Release—
Songwriter Leslie Jordan Taps Into Familial Creativity With Striking Americana Concept Album, The Agonist
Kenneth Pattengale-produced LP is due out on April 25th; Hear “Athensville” today
"The rootsy new folk cut from The Agonist is accented by a beautiful string arrangement and gently plucked acoustic guitar melodies." - FLOOD
Nashville, TN - February 20, 2025 - For her upcoming album, The Agonist, singer-songwriter Leslie Jordan set out with quite a unique concept: Crafting a collection of songs adapted from the lost writings and poetry of her late grandfather, Bobby Gott. “Bobby left his young family in the 1950s to run from his mistakes and chase the muse,” says Jordan, formerly one-half of the GRAMMY-nominated duo All Songs & Daughters. “When he died in 1995, estranged from most of his family, Bobby left behind a treasure trove of writing that showed up on my mother’s doorstep.” Using the project as not only a way to connect the thread of their familial creativity but also to complete the journey of her lost and lonely grandfather, Jordan found a universal truth in the process. “All lives deserve redemption, even the messiest,” she says. “This is my attempt to create light from dark.” Produced by Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids, Joy Williams, Willie Watson) at Far Cry Studios in Los Angeles, The Agonist features guest appearances from The Milk Carton Kids, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, Watkins Family Hour), and Brittney Spencer as well as a host of the loosely-gathered Americana genre's finest musicians.
Today, Jordan gave fans a sneak peek of her latest single from The Agonist, “Athensville,” based on Crawfordsville, Indiana, where Gott grew up. Known as the “Athens of Indiana,” Crawfordsville was the home to General Lew Wallace (Ben Hur) as well as several other notable novelists and poets, but like every town, in Jordan’s words, “there were certain folks who thrived and others who merely survived.” Gott grew up on the east side of town while the west siders lived a life of “high society.” Just like his writing, it was in Gott’s nature to find a way out. Co-written with Seth Talley and Stefan Cashwell, “Athensville” was inspired by Gott’s piece of the same name, and uses the bleak descriptions of his home to tell the story of a young man dreaming of escape.
“He’s seen the ones before him
Get swallowed by their fear
But he ain’t afraid of dying
Just dying here”
Officially out tomorrow, fans can pre-save “Athensville” today at this link, hear Jordan’s previously-released single, “The Fight,” here, and stay up to date on The Agonist ahead of its April 25th release right here. If you’re in Nashville, don’t miss Jordan’s album release show on April 30th at Analog at Hutton Hotel. Purchase tickets here or reply to this email to request a media pass.
The Agonist Tracklist:
The Agonist
The Fight
Athensville
Loved Me For A Little While
Truth or Consequence
Madonna of Sierra Madre
Golden Gate
Sometimes, Sylvia
Elegy
All Things (feat. The Milk Carton Kids)
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