High Top Mountain Records proudly announces the release of "Passage Du Desir," the much-anticipated new studio album from Johnny Blue Skies, available now for streaming and purchase. This album marks the beginning of a new era for the artist, formerly known as Sturgill Simpson, who had previously promised to release only five studio albums under his original name.
Produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson, "Passage Du Desir" was recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, TN, and the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, England. Reflecting on 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 support of the new album, Simpson will embark on the extensive "Why Not? Tour" this fall, marking his first full tour in over four years. The headline run will feature Simpson and his band, consisting of Kevin Black (bass), Robbie Crowell (keys), Laur Joamets (guitar), and Miles Miller (drums). The tour includes immediately sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Chicago (two nights), Oklahoma City, Asheville, Cary, and Washington, DC, among many others, as well as headline festival slots at Outside Lands and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Tickets are now on sale via sturgillsimpsonlive.com.
Notably, the “Why Not? Tour” has opted out of using dynamic ticket pricing, striving to keep tickets in the hands of fans and out of the hands of scalpers. The tour will implement measures such as vetting pre-sale sign-ups, Face Value Exchange, and limited platinum ticketing to combat scalpers and excessive prices.
The new album follows the tenth anniversary reissue of Simpson’s "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music," which was released earlier this spring. Originally launched on May 13, 2014, the album was a breakthrough for Simpson and a pivotal moment in country music. The special edition features a fully reimagined album cover and vinyl package, pressed on 180g Black Vinyl with an “Old-Style” Tip-On Jacket. Reflecting on the album’s influence, Marissa Moss wrote in Rolling Stone, “Ten years since its release, Simpson’s 2014 masterpiece Metamodern Sounds in Country Music continues to redefine what’s possible in Nashville,” adding, “Metamodern is an album that shows how the best music can come when you’re respectful of the past but fearless about the future.”
Throughout his career, Simpson has released five full-length studio albums—2013’s "High Top Mountain," 2014’s "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music," 2016’s "A Sailor’s Guide to Earth," 2019’s "Sound & Fury," and 2021’s "The Ballad of Dood and Juanita"—along with the 2020 projects, "Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2." He has earned widespread acclaim and numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2017 and six Grammy nominations across four genres: country, rock, bluegrass, and Americana.
Beyond music, Simpson has also ventured into acting, with roles in "The Dead Don’t Die," "Queen & Slim," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "The Righteous Gemstones."
PASSAGE DU DESIR TRACK LIST
Swamp of Sadness
If The Sun Never Rises Again
Scooter Blues
Jupiter’s Faerie
Who I Am
Right Kind of Dream
Mint Tea
One for the Road
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)
#Outside Lands Night Show with special guest Katie Pruitt
*“An Evening with Sturgill Simpson”
†with very special guest Lord Huron
‡very special guest Durand Jones
For more information, visit sturgillsimpsonlive.com.
