J.S. Ondara – New Music Friday #002

I love music. Music can change your mood, your outlook, your life. So, here’s a new outlet for me to share new music finds. Some of these artists I’ve been listening to for a while, but the video or song is new to me. Some of these will be brand new for me as we go. I hope they bring you some joy.

J.S. Ondara’s music is raw and beautiful. He is from Nairobi. Start with Tales of America.

The resulting album, Tales of America, out February 15th, offers a compelling outsider’s perspective on what it means to be a young adult in 21st-century America. “Just me pondering, trying to search for wisdom,” as Ondara describes it. “Life is weird, and America is so weird.”Rolling Stone – J.S. Ondara’s American Dreams

Here’s a line from one of the first songs I heard by Ondara, American Dream:

Now take just what you need baby,
anymore won't fit your bag,
go as fast as your feet they will carry
for the greater chase has began

And I really dig the illustration and animation in the official Lebanon video, which is also an excellent song I put on repeat frequently.

Peace and love, y’all.