Recently come to the attention of many due to the popularity of his videos across social media, Jesse Welles announces the release of his sixth studio album, Masks Off, a realizing the masks are off, the album’s eponymous first single, “Masks Off.”Is the culmination of the I.C.E. surge in Minnesota, the abduction of Venezuela’s leader, and the post-D.O.G.E. hate is out in the open, it’s permissible, and it’s encouraged.
“I was like, ‘I’m going to sing the news’,” Welles recalls. “There was a lot of war going on. That was bugging me, on top of my personal life. I’d done my best to give up music, but I couldn’t. I decided to do this on my own.”
Masks Off continues to showcase Welles’ fearless folk songwriting, as the followup to his Grammy-nominated collection of field recordings, last year’s Under the Powerlines II, Welles recorded 11 tracks for the release, including live staples “Join Ice,” “Red,” and “Domestic Error.” In the midst of a grueling touring schedule, Welles cut Masks Off in three sessions with producer and trusted collaborator Eddie Spear [Zach Bryan, Sam Barber].
“These songs were highlights of the past year, and they sort of speak to the moment we’re at,” Jesse shares, “I’m not trying to tell folks how to think or get a reaction. All I do is write my lyrics, make my records, and cross my fingers.”
Masks Off is available for pre-order on all formats here.
Jesse Welles has recently announced his 26-date Red Tour with headlining dates in cities including NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, and more (full dates below). These dates will feature support by special guests Steph Strings, Ratboys, and Hudson Freeman. Tickets for these dates are on sale now here.
JESSE WELLES TOUR
Jul 9-12: Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival
Jul 11: Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota Country Club Fest
July 24: Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
July 25: Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards
July 26: Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
July 27: Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
July 29: Richmond, VA – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
July 31: New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
Aug 1: Lafayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
Aug 3: Grand Rapids, MI – Meijer Gardens
Aug 4: Indianapolis, IN – Rock The Ruins
Aug 5: Kansas City, MO – Grinders
Aug 7-9: Lyons, CO – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
Aug 7-9: Alta, WY – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
Aug 9: Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater
Aug 11: Seattle, WA- Woodland Park Zoo (Sold Out)
Aug 12: Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square
Aug 14: Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden
Aug 15: Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater
Aug 18: Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
Aug 19: Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Aug 21: St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Sep 6: George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre
Sep 18 – 20: East Aurora, NY – Borderland Music Festival
Sep 27: Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond
Oct 5: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Oct 6: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Oct 9: Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
Oct 16: Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
Oct 17: Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
Oct 18: Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
Oct 20: Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Oct 21: Washington, DC – The Anthem
Oct 23: Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
Oct 24: Boston, MA – Roadrunner
Oct 26: Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
Jul 9-12: Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival
Jul 11: Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota Country Club Fest
July 24: Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
July 25: Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards
July 26: Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
July 27: Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
July 29: Richmond, VA – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
July 31: New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
Aug 1: Lafayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
Aug 3: Grand Rapids, MI – Meijer Gardens
Aug 4: Indianapolis, IN – Rock The Ruins
Aug 5: Kansas City, MO – Grinders
Aug 7-9: Lyons, CO – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
Aug 7-9: Alta, WY – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
Aug 9: Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater
Aug 11: Seattle, WA- Woodland Park Zoo (Sold Out)
Aug 12: Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square
Aug 14: Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden
Aug 15: Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater
Aug 18: Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
Aug 19: Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Aug 21: St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Sep 6: George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre
Sep 18 – 20: East Aurora, NY – Borderland Music Festival
Sep 27: Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond
Oct 5: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Oct 6: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Oct 9: Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
Oct 16: Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
Oct 17: Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
Oct 18: Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
Oct 20: Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Oct 21: Washington, DC – The Anthem
Oct 23: Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
Oct 24: Boston, MA – Roadrunner
Oct 26: Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
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