THE DESLONDES RELEASE DON’T LET IT DIE VOL. 1 & TOUR DATES

The Deslondes will release Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1 tomorrow via New West Records. The 12-track set was recorded on analog tape and features renditions of songs by Swamp Dogg, Shelby Lynne, Johnny Cash, Clifton Chenier, and more. It was produced by the band’s John James Tourville and Ajaï Combelic (Sabine McCalla) at the band’s studio in New Orleans and follows their 2024 studio album Roll It Out which was met with wide critical acclaim. Of the new collection, Glide Magazine said “…the band has made that rare covers album that not only deepens appreciation for the originals but also stands confidently as its own artistic statement. It’s a rich, lived-in record that grows more rewarding with each listen, uncovering new emotional nuances.”

The Deslondes didn’t want to simply exalt their heroes and catalog their influences while recording the new covers album. They wanted to also give their friends a boost as well. The poignant and powerful collection includes new interpretations of old songs by artists who’ve guided the band for years, alongside new songs by peers, tourmates, and collaborators including Nick Woods, Pat Reedy, and more. “We have so many friends who are songwriters, and we just love their music so much,” says Tourville. “Riley (Downing) and Dan (Cutler) are always kicking around awesome, inspiring old songs for us to do, but for this album we really wanted to play some friends songs, too.” Downing says “These songs are very much a close part of our lives. They’re all part of our circle, this big organism that keeps influencing itself.”

Today, Under the Radar premiered the video for the album highlight “I’m Gone.” The song was written by their friend Kiki Cavazos, who also appears in the Joshua Shoemaker-directed video. Riley Downing says “The moment I heard Kate Cavazos’ voice, I was instantly captivated and mesmerized. Who was this mysterious woman with the most beautiful omniscient comforting voice? When I first heard the chorus it gave me goosebumps, but in a reassuring way. I hope you take this cover as an introduction to your own journey of discovering her music. Keep your eyes and ears open and you might be able to find her on the road somewhere. Share the “I’m Gone” video HERE.

As the band chose selections for the album, they didn’t quite realize what they were creating: Together these songs all sound relevant to this particular moment in history, when the world seems to teeter on the brink of destruction. The first side offers visions of apocalypses both big and small, not just Swamp Dogg’s nuclear-fallout lament “The World Beyond,” but also Johnny Cash’s ghost-town story-song “The Ballad of Boot Hill,” and Drunken Prayer’s small-town eulogy “Cordelia.” Don’t Let It Die opens with the world ending and closes with a new beginning in its title track, one that reasserts the band’s values and embraces their community more closely.” Each band member brought in a handful of songs to consider and Sam Doores says, “It wasn’t planned, but we definitely gravitated toward songs that felt relevant to the times we’re in right now. And that’s something I truly love about our band. We have this weird subconscious hivemind thing that none of us fully understands, but it does come together in a unified vision.”

Don’t Let It Die crackles with live energy, showcasing each band member’s personality. It is full of hellos and goodbyes, sad departures and cathartic arrivals, as befits a band whose members are away as much as they’re back home.

Seemingly always on the road, The Deslondes will be performing in Milwaukee, WI tonight in support of Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1. Please see tour dates below.

Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1 will be available across streaming platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited white color vinyl edition will be available at Independent Retailers and is available NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS.

Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1 Track Listing:

1. The World Beyond (Swamp Dogg)
2. The Ballad of Boot Hill (Johnny Cash)
3. Cordelia (Drunken Prayer)
4. Try Again (The Kernel)
5. Moving (Leonie Evans)
6. I’m Gone (Kiki Cavazos)
7. I’m Coming Home (Clifton Chenier)
8. Family (Nick Woods)
9. Lawdy Mama (Edgar Blanchard)
10. Long Drives and Lonesome Mornings (Pat Reedy)
11. Where I’m From (Shelby Lynne)
12. Don’t Let It Die (Hurricane Smith)

The Deslondes On Tour:

5/21 – Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
5/22 – Elkader, IA – Turkey River Cabin Concerts
5/23 – Elkader, IA – Turkey River Cabin Concerts
5/24 – Park Falls, WI – The Big Dipper
5/25 – Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse
6/6 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre (w/ Margo Price)
6/7 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
7/3 – Lafayette, IN – People’s Brewing Co.
7/4 – Berwyn, IL – Fitzgerald’s 43rd American Music Festival
7/5 – Grand Rapids, MI – Founders Brewery
7/6 – Detroit, MI – PJ’s Lager House
7/7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Winery
7/9 – NYC – Honky Tonkin’ in Queens River Cruise
7/10 – Medusa, NY – Velvet Earth Farm
7/11 – Easton, PA – Easton Heritage Day
7/12 – Pine Plains, NY – Chaseholm Farm
9/6 – Sacramento, CA – The Starlet Room at Harlow’s
9/25 – Mi-Wuk Village, CA – Good Luck Camp Out
9/26 – Fresno, CA – Strummer’s
9/27 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
9/29 – Jacumba, CA – Jacumba Hot Springs
9/30 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
10/1 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon Cafe

www.Deslondes.com