Jesse Daniel Unveils Introspective New Album “Son of the San Lorenzo,” Announces Extensive Tour
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Just shy of a year after his critically acclaimed breakthrough album, Countin’ The Miles, Jesse Daniel is back, offering a deeply personal and sonically rich journey with his upcoming fifth studio album, Son of the San Lorenzo. Set to release on June 6th via Lightning Rod Records, the album promises an honest and compelling narrative of Daniel’s life, underscored by a blend of his signature Bakersfield sound with the cosmic country and Southern rock influences that shaped him.
This new collection of 11 songs isn’t just another record; it’s an intimate exploration of Daniel’s remarkable trajectory. From his early days hitchhiking through the Santa Cruz Mountains, navigating a turbulent youth and battles with addiction, to finding solace and salvation in music and the people around him, Son of the San Lorenzo lays bare the experiences that have molded him. The album was recorded live at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, capturing a raw and authentic energy that mirrors the sincerity of its lyrical content.
The first taste of this introspective work comes in the form of the single, “My Time Is Gonna Come.” This hopeful and heartfelt track, imbued with a California spirit, sees Daniel reflecting on the peaks and valleys of his life. It’s a potent blend of his established Bakersfield twang with the expansive textures of cosmic country and the grit of Southern rock – a sonic tapestry that feels both familiar and fresh.
Speaking about the new single, Daniel shares, “When I wrote this song, I was doing a lot of reflecting on my life. It’s been a pretty incredible journey, and sitting there, I thought back on all the work it took to get to where I am now. All the road behind me and the road ahead. In the past, I’ve gotten frustrated with the outcome or the success of my work, and it often robbed me of the joy of it. This song is essentially a realization that music, art, and life are more about the journey than the destination. It’s a confident letter to myself that with this newfound mindset, the best is yet to come.”
Adding significant depth and texture to the album are contributions from a stellar lineup of musicians. The legendary Charlie McCoy lends his instrumental prowess, alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd’s keyboardist Peter Keys and The SteelDrivers’ banjo virtuoso Richard Bailey. Notably, the album also features a collaboration with the acclaimed singer-songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin on the track “Time Well Spent For A Man.”
Son of the San Lorenzo isn’t just a lyrical autobiography; it’s also a sonic one. Daniel himself wrote, arranged, and produced the entire record, taking a hands-on approach to the sonic direction, including contributing percussion, rhythm and lead guitar, and harmonies. This level of involvement underscores the deeply personal nature of the songs. As Daniel explains, “I felt like I was finally ready to stop running and face things head-on with this record. I felt mature enough to go deeper than ever before, to understand how I got here and where I’m going.”
The past year has marked a significant upswing in Daniel’s career. He co-wrote the title track for Dusty Slay’s Netflix special, Workin’ Man, which premiered in January. His previous album, Countin’ The Miles, garnered widespread critical acclaim from publications like Billboard, Texas Monthly, Cowboys & Indians, and No Depression, climbing into the Top 30 of the Americana Radio Charts and leading to a tour with Charles Wesley Godwin. He also released two collaborative singles with Benjamin Tod, followed by a co-headlining tour.
Looking ahead, fans will have ample opportunities to experience Jesse Daniel’s compelling live performances. He’s kicking things off with a show at the newly opened Skinny Dennis in Nashville on March 28th. A special hometown album release show is scheduled for May 31st at the Felton Redwood Mountain Faire in Felton, California. Following these dates, Daniel will embark on an extensive international tour, bringing his music to audiences across Europe and Australia.
“I am the son of the San Lorenzo, and this story had to be told,” Daniel reflects. “But once it’s told, it’s time to move on and tell the next story. And then we repeat. Repeat. Until the end.”
Son of the San Lorenzo Track Listing:
- Child Is Born
- Son of the San Lorenzo
- He
- The Ballad of Love Creek
- One’s Too Many (And A Thousand Ain’t Enough)
- Jodi
- Mountain Home
- Time Well Spent For A Man (feat. Charles Wesley Godwin)
- Crankster
- My Time Is Gonna Come
- The End
Tour Dates:
- May 31 – Felton, CA @ Redwood Mountain Faire 2025
- June 21 – Itajaí, Brazil @ The Ranch Truck
- July 8 – Hamburg, Germany @ Nochtspeicher
- July 9 – Groningen, Netherlands @ De Oosterpoort
- July 10 – Utrecht, Netherlands @ TivoliVredenburg
- July 11 – Lille, Belgium @ Sjock Festival 2025
- July 12 – Breim, Norway @ Stiftinga Norsk Country Treff
- July 16 – Cologne, Germany @ Die Kantine
- July 17 – Lichtenvoorde, Netherlands @ Zwarte Cross 2025
- July 18 – Eging Am See, Germany @ Pullman City Western Town
- July 20 – Balzers, Liechtenstein @ Burg Gutenberg
- October 10 – Rockhampton, Australia @ Great Western Hotel
- October 11 – Mareeba, Australia @ Mareeba Rodeo
- October 12 – Mareeba, Australia @ Mareeba Rodeo
- October 15 – Petrie Terrace, Australia @ Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall
- October 16 – Cronulla, Australia @ Brass Monkey
- October 17 – Paddington, Australia @ Paddo RSL
- October 18 – Archies Creek, Australia @ The Archies Creek Hotel
- October 19 – Brunswick, Australia @ Brunswick Ballroom
- October 24 – Fremantle, Australia @ Honky Tonk Blues
- October 25 – Harvey, Australia @ Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre
Fans eager to delve deeper into Jesse Daniel’s compelling narrative and experience his new music live can find more information and additional tour dates on his official website. Son of the San Lorenzo promises to be an album that resonates deeply, offering a raw and authentic glimpse into the life and artistry of a truly compelling voice in contemporary country music.