Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ondara grew up in Nairobi, Kenya listening to American alt-rock and making up his own songs for as long as he can remember.
So when he was granted a visa through the immigration lottery system, he chose Minneapolis with Bob Dylan in mind.
In Minneapolis, Ondara began making his way in the local music scene, writing songs about what he saw, felt and experienced in a place far different from home.
Now, his third studio album, Spanish Villager No: 3, is set for release on September 16 via Verve Forecast.
The new collection of songs features a much more full, electric sound and today, Ondara is unveiling the first single, “An Alien In Minneapolis.“
“Collectively, I think of the whole project as one epic poem — a subconscious exploration of the world inside and outside me.”
Watch “An Alien In Minneapolis” by Ondara
The album is produced by Ondara and Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis, Dan Wilson) with contributions from Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes, Sebastian Steinberg, Tim Kuhl and Jeremy Stacey.
“Collectively, I think of the whole project as one epic poem — a subconscious exploration of the world inside and outside me.” Ondara said in a statement.
Spanish Villager No: 3 follows his 2020 sophomore album, Folk N’ Roll Vol 1: Tales of Isolation, and his 2019 debut album, Tales of America, which was released to widespread critical praise, receiving a nomination for Best Americana Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards, and Ondara also received a nod for Best Emerging Act at the 2019 Americana Awards.
Ondara has toured extensively including sold out European performances, a completely sold-out headlining U.S. tour, appearances at festivals nationwide including Xponential Festival, Newport Folk Festival and Edmonton Folk Festival, and opened for the likes of The Lumineers, First Aid Kit, Neil Young, The Head & The Heart, and more.
SPANISH VILLAGER NO: 3 TRACKLIST
1. An Alien in Minneapolis
2. A Blackout in Paris
3. A Seminar in Tokyo
4. A Shakedown in Berlin
5. A Drowning in Mexico City
6. A Prophet of Doom
7. A Seasonal Amnesia
8. A Nocturnal Heresy
9. A Suspicious Deliverance
10. A Witch and A Saint
11. A Contrarian Odyssey
12. An Alien in Minneapolis