Lyrical milestones lead to “Leon,” Leon Bridges’ fourth album

Words by Tammy Walters

Well, Australia is in for a treat in January with the completely unexpected and incredible announcement that GRAMMY award-winning R&B, neo-soul songwriter and record producer Leon Bridges will be headlining A Day On The Green.

Having just released his fourth studio album LeonLeon Bridges is currently on tour, bringing the geographically anchored album across the States.

“It will be a well-oiled machine by the time we get to Australia,” confirms Bridges.

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The last time Leon Bridges touched down in Australia was in 2022 Limitless tour He has played in the most prestigious, intimate and acoustically superior venues across the country. When he hits open winery stages for A Day On The Green, he'll be testing the translation of his new tracks, but Bridges has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable show.

“I have a new band from the last time I was there and, man, it will be interesting to bring these songs that are a little more intimate into this setting, but I think they will be well received for sure. “

An album six years in the making, Leon was the pioneer of vibrant structural change with the best in the industry required to oversee the songs and their stories.

“I just felt like I had to start everything from scratch and just find some of the best musicians in the industry, and I think I did that,” Bridges explains.

“This album was all about a return to simplicity in music and production, but some of the songs are deceptively simple and you definitely need a few quality musicians who are tight and play well live.”

Bridges has always maintained a separation between touring and the studio, ensuring that the people he works with on an album are top-notch to capture the intricate elements of his musical vision and that the live band is capable of delivering the finished album Product to light up stage. For Leonthe selection of studio players was first class.

“My touring band and my studio band are always a separate thing. I was lucky enough to work with this guy, Ian Fitchuk, who is a good friend of mine, and I discovered him through the music of Kasey Musgraves and he curated some really cool musicians and we all traveled to Mexico. This guy named Nick Bockrath from Cage the Elephant is one of the best guitarists in the world [played on the album]and I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by some really amazing people.”

The contributors' task was to bring to life a sound that represents and does justice to the story of Leon Bridges and his unique musical DNA. Spread over three albums Return home (2015), Good things (2018) and Gold mining sounds (2021), which earned him GRAMMY nominations and wins, Leon Bridges' identity has always been a melting pot of influence brought to light through a sophisticated combination of instrumentation. Leon leans into another vein of Bridges' blood.

“As an artist you're always striving for what's going to be the next hit and I had to come to terms with that Leon is a hit, Leon is the genre and also the gap in pop music: “Where is the integrity?” I think it was very intentional to go back to storytelling and make music with no frills.”

The storytelling continues Leon Bridges sees a sonic reminder of the places, people and presence of his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, that shaped his youth, his history and ultimately his heart.

“They are little snapshots of my experience. One of my favorite artists, Van Morrison, has an album called Astral weeks and I love that he includes geological places that are unique to him and I wanted to take the listener into my world. When I think of one of the places I love the most, it's my hometown of Fort Worth (Texas) and it's one of those places that's overshadowed and not talked about much, so I wanted my city essentially putting it on the map.”

Steeped in nostalgia, Fort Worth remains unchanged in Bridges' eyes; The milestones of his youth are still present and focus him as he finds himself caught up in his whirlwind career.

“That's what I love about it. I've never really had a reason to leave my city and it's my sanctuary and it's nice when I come back and just go back to some of the places and haunts I used to visit; it keeps me grounded. I love the nostalgic feeling of returning to these places. I still visit many of these places. It’s cool to go back to the places I visited before I got into music.”

While the essence and atmosphere of the city has remained the same, the treatment of Bridges has changed slightly as his status in the city has now increased.

“I am the hero of my hometown. Before me, it was a country artist from the '40s and '50s who made it there. So it’s unprecedented that an R&B guy with a guitar left town.”

The musician in question was Townes Van Zandt, considered one of the most influential alt-country artists in history. Aside from the geographical relationship, Zandt and Bridges share a number of similarities Leon with the city's rural roots and Bridge's upbringing around the record.

“It’s very deeply rooted. I grew up on '90s and '00s R&B and my parents got me into the blues and the Motown soul thing, and when I switched to guitar, some of my peers in the open mic scene got me into country music. It's always one of those things that's subconscious, but I also love that it sets me apart in the industry. This mix of R&B and country as well as folk and blues is very rare to find in music. That’s what makes it unique.”

“I always say, 'Damn, I really want to do a country album, I really want to do a country album,' and I think this album isn't quite country, but there are definitely elements in it, so it appealed to me without even intending to make it a country album,” he laughs.

Throughout the entire creation process LeonLeon Bridges was able to simplify and get back to what he loves. To quote one of the album's titles, Bridges is now in a “peaceful place, having found something that no one can take away from him.”

“Absolutely – life still has its ups and downs, but honestly I'm grateful that I've been an artist for so long and it's cool that people are still looking for my music and still have it with them resonates with people. I can also say that I am satisfied. I can't complain – I'm blessed by everything that's going on and blessed by the people in my life and blessed to be alive. I hope this album really cements my name in music history.”

The name Leon Bridges has already been confirmed Leon stamp it with a stamp.

Catch it live during his performances on A Day On The Green. He is joined by Glass Beams and Maple Gliders. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here.