Grammy winner Leon Bridges releases self-titled album Leon ahead of Australian tour
By Mawunyo Gbogbo
Topic:Music (Arts and Entertainment)
Leon Bridges is a Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and performer.
Grammy winner Leon Bridges not only uses social media to release songs, it's also the vehicle that led to a songwriting collaboration with fellow Grammy winner and Your Body is a Wonderland singer John Mayer.
"I was in LA doing a session with one of my friends," Bridges told ABC News.
"And I went on Instagram Live and I was just like, 'yo, we out here in LA' and then John Mayer, he chimes in, he's like, 'Where you at? Drop the address.'
"And, yeah, he came through and we vibed on some music and then he invited me to his studio kind of subsequent to that, and then that's when we started working on the song."
The song is When a Man Cries, which is the first song on Bridges's fourth full-length LP Leon released on Friday.
Bridges was raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
A metaphor for letting go
Bridges says the perception of men crying and being vulnerable has evolved in a positive way as people gain a better understanding of mental health.
But it hasn't always been that way.
"I feel like that whole concept really isn't talked about enough," Bridges said.
"And growing up and seeing in the Black community, in our circles, we don't really have the space to express our emotions, just out of fear of being deemed as weak.
"And I just love that statement of when a man cries and the tears falling just being a metaphor to kind of letting go."
'I love my city'
The album Leon features 13 tracks including That's What I Love, Laredo and Peaceful Place, as well as Panther City, about the place Bridges calls home – Fort Worth, Texas.
"I love my city, Fort Worth," Bridges said.
"I had a really awesome upbringing. Fort Worth is one of those small town, big city, kind of places.
"And what I love about it is the people are very much salt of the earth people and that's always really grounding."
Leon is out now.
Bridges grew up listening to the music his parents were into, and that has influenced his sound.
"My dad, he was really into Sam Cooke and the Motown era. [He] put me on to guys like Stevie Wonder and blues music.
"And my mother, she was really into Sade and Anita Baker and Babyface.
"And it's crazy how those sounds are just kind of stored in the subconscious, and when it comes to creating, they always find its way into the music."
Bridges is also inspired by where he is when he's creating.
"I love Van Morrison and his album Astral Weeks, and how he really kind of painted a picture of some of those geographical places that shaped him," Bridges said.
"And I think a little of that inspiration kind of played into this album, and I think the location kind of has a lot to do with the inspiration.
"I was working on the album for almost five years in Los Angeles and Nashville and got burnt out … and so, we kind of packed up, went to Mexico City and I mean, the whole experience was very peaceful and affirming and I feel like the energy and essence of that place kind of seeped its way into the music a little bit."
Bridges will tour Australia in 2025.
Bridges is returning to Australia
Bridges is headed back to Australia having performed here numerous times in the past including at the Sydney Opera House.
"It's always a good time when I'm out there," Bridges said.
He has a message for his Australian fans.
"I gotta say thank you for all the support throughout these years and, man, I can't wait for you to hear my album, Leon, and can't wait to get back out there and play some shows."
Leon is out now and tour dates are available here.
By：https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/leon-bridges-interview-new-album-leon-australian-tour/104433094(责任编辑：admin)
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