Today, Johnny Blue Skies (also known as Sturgill Simpson) released his highly anticipated new studio album, “Passage Du Desir,” on High Top Mountain Records.
Listen to “Passage Du Desir” by Johnny Blue Skies on Spotify
The album and tour mark the beginning of a new era for the artist, stepping away from the previous promise to release only five studio albums under the name Sturgill Simpson. The album was produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson and recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, TN, and Abbey Road Studios in London, England.
Speaking about this new chapter, Johnny Blue Skies shares, “You can turn the page, or you can light the book on fire and dance around the flames. You can try to live above hell or you can just go raise some. Here’s to clean livin’ and dirty thinking.”
In addition to the album release, Simpson will be embarking on his first full tour in over four years, titled “Why Not? Tour.” The tour will feature Simpson and his band and includes sold-out shows in various cities as well as headline festival slots at Outside Lands and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Notably, the tour has opted out of using dynamic ticket pricing to keep tickets in the hands of fans and combat scalpers.
“Passage Du Desir” follows the tenth-anniversary reissue of Simpson’s “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,” which significantly impacted the country music genre. The reissue features a reimagined album cover and vinyl package, reflecting the lasting impact of the album. Reflecting on the album’s influence, Rolling Stone notes, “Metamodern is an album that shows how the best music can come when you’re respectful of the past but fearless about the future.”
Simpson has released five full-length studio albums and other projects and has continuously pushed against expectations, earning widespread acclaim and numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2017. Beyond music, Simpson has also made a mark in the film and television industry.
With the release of “Passage Du Desir” and the upcoming “Why Not? Tour,” Simpson is undoubtedly poised to further redefine the possibilities within the country music genre and continue to leave an indelible mark on the music industry as a whole.”
STURGILL SIMPSON CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
August 10—San Francisco, CA—The Independent# (SOLD OUT)
August 11—San Francisco, CA—Outside Lands
September 14—Los Angeles, CA—The Greek Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
September 15—Santa Barbara, CA—Santa Barbara Bowl* (SOLD OUT)
September 17—West Valley City, UT—Maverik Center*
September 19—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
September 20—George, WA—The Gorge Amphitheatre†
September 22—Missoula, MT—KettleHouse Amphitheater* (SOLD OUT)
September 24—Moorhead, MN—Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater* (SOLD OUT)
September 25—Saint Paul, MN—Roy Wilkins Auditorium* (SOLD OUT)
September 27—Lexington, KY—Rupp Arena*
September 28—Detroit, MI—Fox Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
October 1—Chicago, IL—Salt Shed* (SOLD OUT)
October 2—Chicago, IL—Salt Shed* (SOLD OUT)
October 4—Brandon, MS—The Brandon Amphitheater*
October 4-6—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 8—Oklahoma City, OK—Criterion* (SOLD OUT)
October 9—Rogers, AR—Walmart AMP*
October 11—Huntsville, AL—The Orion Amphitheater*
October 11-13—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 15—St. Louis, MO—Fabulous Fox Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
October 16—St. Louis, MO—Fabulous Fox Theatre*
October 18—Pittsburgh, PA—Petersen Events Center*
October 19—Forest Hills, NY—Forest Hills Stadium‡
October 21—Asheville, NC—ExploreAsheville.com Arena* (SOLD OUT)
October 22—Cary, NC—Koka Booth Amphitheatre* (SOLD OUT)
October 24—Duluth, GA—Gas South Arena*
October 25—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena*
November 12—Philadelphia, PA—The Met*
November 13—Philadelphia, PA—The Met*
November 15—Hampton, VA—Hampton Coliseum*
November 16—Huntington, WV—Health Network Arena*
November 18—Washington, DC—The Anthem* (SOLD OUT)
November 20—Toronto, ON—Massey Hall*
November 21—Toronto, ON—Massey Hall*
November 23—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway*
November 24—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway* (SOLD OUT)
