Sturgill Simpson, a maverick of modern country music presents a new album and alter ego “Johnny Blue Skies” on Passage Du Desir. The new moniker has fans and critics curious about what the name change signifies, and what he's up to this time.
Born John Sturgill Simpson in Jackson, Kentucky, Simpson has carved out a unique niche in the music world with his unique baritone, genre-defying sound and raw, emotive storytelling. He first garnered attention with his 2013 debut album, High Top Mountain, which showcased his deep, resonant voice and traditional country influences. His sophomore effort, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014) truly put him on the map with its innovative blend of country, rock, and psychedelia earning critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Simpson’s third album, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth (2016) which he wrote as a letter to his newborn son, marked a significant departure from his previous work. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and was nominated for Album of the Year. This success solidified Simpson’s reputation as an artist willing to take risks and push boundaries.
Despite these accolades, Simpson’s relationship with the Country Music Association (CMA) and the broader Nashville establishment has been tumultuous. He has frequently been at odds with the industry’s gatekeepers, criticizing what he sees as the commercialism and lack of authenticity in mainstream country music. His outspoken nature came to the forefront during the 2017 CMA Awards, where he revoked his submissions and busked outside the event as a form of protest, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the industry’s direction and politics.
Simpson’s tensions with the big music industry have seemed to fuel his desire to challenge the status quo and advocate for artistic integrity over commercial success and has won him respect among peers and fans.
Known for his genre-bending approach and reluctance to conform to Nashville’s mainstream expectations, Simpson has adopted the persona of “Johnny Blue Skies” for his latest musical endeavor. The name itself evokes a sense of freedom and boundless creativity, reflecting his desire to break away from constraints and societal expectations of his career. In interviews, Simpson has hinted that the name change represents a fresh start, a new chapter in his artistic journey where he can explore different facets of his musical identity without the weight of preconceived notions.
Passage du Desire under the Johnny Blue Skies name is a testament to Simpson’s fearless creativity. It defies easy categorization with Simpson’s trademark brand of country/rock/blues/psych.
For Simpson, the Johnny Blue Skies project is a statement of artistic freedom. It’s a rejection of the idea that an artist must fit into a neatly defined box and an affirmation of the belief that true creativity has no boundaries. The album has already generated buzz within the music community, fans have embraced the new direction, eager to follow Simpson wherever his musical journey takes him. Johnny Blue Skies is just a new chapter for an artist who is constantly evolving and challenging himself.
