Today, singer-songwriter, producer and SUSTO co-founder Johnny Delaware has announced his third studio album Para Llevar, due out November 1 via Normaltown Records / New West Records. Recorded in studios across Latin America and the United States, Para Llevar (which translates to “to go” or “to take”) is a deeply personal exploration of human nature through the eyes of a nomadic observer. Along with the announcement, Delaware shares his new single “Running,” a hazy reflection on the desire to escape one’s past and come to terms with your own history.
This fall, Delaware will bring his new music to audiences on a headlining tour with stops in Nashville, Chicago, New York and other cities. See below for a full list of dates and find more information here.
Watch the Official Video for “Running”
Stream “Running”
Pre-save Para Llevar
Delaware on the new single: “Running is something we all tend to do, especially from our true selves and true lovers. But conveying the message with a fun ‘70s production makes it easier to look and accept our shadows. If the first step for self-change is internal observation, what do you see? This song was made to laugh at what I didn’t like.”
On Para Llevar, Delaware draws inspiration from his years of journeying, both physically around the world and internally to find himself, blending elements of Laurel Canyon and Latin America with dreamy, psychedelic production. He self-produced the record in addition to playing nearly all of the instruments, and his performances are warm and inviting, forging a mesmerizing cultural swirl that transcends borders and traditions. The lyrics, meanwhile, are rooted in perpetual motion, in an endless, primal search for purpose and connection. The result is an intoxicating meditation on the hope, fear, love and loneliness that bind us all, no matter where we call home.
Para Llevar follows Delaware’s 2022 album Energy of Light, which was made during a time when the South Dakota native relocated to Mexico City after falling in love with its people, art and culture. Since then, he’s continued bouncing back and forth across the border while working on the songs that would become Para Llevar. In addition to his respected solo work, Delaware is a co-founder of the bands The Artisanals and SUSTO, the latter of which has become one of the most critically acclaimed bands in indie roots music. Over the last decade, SUSTO has garnered raves from press including Rolling Stone and SPIN as well as toured with the likes of The Lumineers, Band of Horses, and The Head and the Heart.
Although Delaware felt the pull of the road from a young age, drifting between Nashville, Albuquerque, Austin, Charleston and most recently, Mexico City, he’s allowed himself to sit still long enough to appreciate the little moments of perfection that dot our decidedly imperfect lives. “The most radical thing you can do is be your most honest, authentic self,” he says. “Change doesn’t come from politicians or corporations; it comes from taking care of yourself and your community, from being a good neighbor and a good friend and a good family man.”
Ultimately, that’s what Para Llevar is all about. No matter where one goes in this world or what is considered home, there is a shared responsibility to find the good and spread it as far and as wide as possible. As any nomad will tell you, happiness isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.
Johnny Delaware 2024 Tour Dates:
November 12 – Athens, GA @ The Lab at Cine
November 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl - Center Stage
November 14 – Nashville, TN @ The Vinyl Lounge
November 15 – Lawrenceburg, IN @ Liberty Theater
November 16 – Chicago, IL @ Judson and Moore
November 19 – Des Moines, IA @ xBk
November 20 – Columbus, OH @ Natalie's Grandview
November 22 – Charleston, SC @ Royal American
November 24 – Mobile, AL @ Callaghan's
December 1 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
December 3 – New York, NY @ TV Eye
December 8 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Para Llevar Tracklist:
1. Jungle Full of Ghosts
2. Running
3. Sad Song
4. Stubborn Faith
5. Caution Darlin’
6. Incógnita
7. You Alone (Are the Revolution)
8. Darkness
9. Never Let Go
10. Mexico City Blues
