With the ten-year anniversary of the New Orleans–based Americana ensemble The Deslondes creeping up, the band’s vocalist/guitarist Riley Downing recently announced his debut solo album. Start It Over arrives May 14 via his band’s label New West Records, and the record boasts a robust backing band including session players for the likes of Dolly Parton, Elvis Costello, Yola, Jason Isbell, and Blaze Foley, as well as Raconteurs’ Jack Lawrence on bass.
The latest pre-album single, “I’m Not Ready,” paves the way for the record with an upbeat, piano-led and drum-heavy sound injected with backing gospel vocals. The focal point, of course, is Downing’s husky voice—in this case, lovelorn and hopeful. “‘I’m Not Ready’ is about falling back in love with someone or something,” he notes, “and being honest with them and yourself about expectations versus reality, and hopefully meeting in the middle to stay positive, hopeful, and patient to wait and see what could be.”
Listen to the track below, and pre-save the album here. Additionally, Downing has unveiled a handful of tour dates kicking off May 1 in Alabama—you can view all those beneath the video.
5/1 — Waverly, AL — Standard Deluxe
5/7 — Birmingham, AL — Ghost Train Brewing Co.
5/8 — Birmingham, AL — Marty’s PM
5/12 — Nashville, TN — The Basement East (w/ Jaime Wyatt)
5/15 — Athens, GA — Cicada Rhythm Farm Show
5/22 — Huntsville, AL — Yellow Hammer Brewery
6/23 — Baton Rouge, LA — Beauvoir Park (w/ Sam Doores & The Pink Stones)
6/24 — New Orleans, LA — The Broadside (w/ Sam Doores & The Pink Stones)
6/25 — Houston, TX — 8th Wonder Brewery (w/ Sam Doores & The Pink Stones)
6/26 — Austin, TX — Sam’s Town Point (w/ Sam Doores & The Pink Stones)
