For Immediate Release—

Leslie Jordan Gives Her Late Grandfather’s Words A New Life With Brand New Americana Concept Album, The Agonist

The Kenneth Pattengale-produced LP is out now; Album release show April 30th in Nashville

"Eloquent and clear-eyed, The Agonist could be the starting point for a deeper exploration of the story Jordan has fashioned to such memorable effect. In any case, it’s a gem." - No Depression

Nashville, TN - April 25, 2025 - Nearly a decade ago, when sent photocopies of her late, wayfaring grandfather’s poetry and short stories, singer-songwriter Leslie Jordan knew that the treasure trove would eventually make its way into her musical story. He wrote short stanzas of evocative poetry, short stories of provocative men and women, and long journal entries about his love affair with alcohol and his brother's wife, Sylvia. With pages of typewritten entries, Jordan pieced together the story and set it to song with her beautifully melancholy Americana and roots sensibilities. Today, she released the stunning collection, dubbed The Agonist.

For the former member of Grammy-Nominated duo All Sons & Daughters, using the long-lost collection of his work as inspiration for songwriting was 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.

Fans can stream or purchase The Agonist today at this link. 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. 

"All Things" feat. The Milk Carton Kids 

Filmed live at Far Cry Studios

The Agonist In The News:

“Aside from the endlessly cool inspiration behind the record, though, Jordan’s songwriting is superb and her voice is gorgeous.” - American Songwriter

“The rootsy new folk cut from The Agonist is accented by a beautiful string arrangement and gently plucked acoustic guitar melodies.” - FLOOD on “Athensville”

"A beautiful folk-pop collection that showcases her gentle singing, echoing the bittersweet grace of Aoife O’Donovan." - No Depression

“A staggeringly beautiful song that drags me deeper and deeper into my feels every time I listen to it.” - Wide Open Country on “Elegy”

“When I first heard Living With Ghosts by Patty Griffin, Stones In The Road by Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Nine Objects Of Desire by Suzanne Vega, I knew exactly where I was when I heard those. I can still tell you to this day, when I heard those albums, where I was. I think this album, The Agonist...I think it's a really amazing work of art...I think that it will be like that for a lot of people...that they'll know where they were when they heard this.” - Sarah Popejoy for the AmericanaMusic.com Podcast

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)

Album teaser:

About Leslie Jordan: After comprising one-half of the Grammy-Nominated All Sons & Daughters from 2010-2018, Leslie has spent the last seven years writing for and investing in other artists. She has done this primarily through “The Fold,” a non-profit she co-founded in 2017 as a creative community for artists in all genres and walks of life to find safety and belonging through creative writing workshops and retreats. It was that same year when Leslie fostered the desire to return to her Americana roots and began to conceptualize her next album, adapting the lost writings & poetry of her mother’s estranged father who passed away in 1995. Leslie has always been a songwriter and a storyteller, but after combing through decades of her grandfather’s words, she now knows why it courses through her veins. Although Leslie is no stranger to the music, this album marks her debut endeavor into the Folk/Americana world.

###

Media Contact: IVPR/Allison Mahal, allison@ivpr.com

Press photos by Wonderfilm here

Download album artwork here