Singer-songwriter J.S. Ondara shares new single ‘Torch Song’ – a captivating track taken from his album ‘Tales of America’, out now on Verve Records.

The release of the mesmerising ‘Torch Song’ comes ahead of Ondara’s first Glastonbury appearance, playing at 1:30pm on Sunday 30th June on the Acoustic Stage.

Already boasting fans such as Radio 2’s Jo Wiley and hailed as a Rolling Stone ‘Artist You Need To Know’, Ondara’s debut album ‘Tales of America’ was released in February to critical acclaim. Born and raised in Kenya, Ondara fell in love with the music of Bob Dylan, which led him to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota when he was 20 years-old to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. He began making his way in the local music scene, constantly writing songs about what he saw, felt and experienced in a place far different from home. The album is an examination of the American Dream from an outsider’s perspective; an introspection on a universal matter.

The completely acoustic album was produced by Grammy-nominated Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis) and recorded at Boulevard Recording and East West Studios in Los Angeles. All lyrics were written by Ondara and the album features collaborations with artists including Andrew Bird, Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes and Joey Ryan of The Milk Carton Kids.

Of the album, Ondara explains, “When I came to America five years ago, all I wanted to do was to make a record. I had no leads, no knowledge of how to go about it, I couldn’t even play the guitar at the time. But I loved records so much and I had this dream that someday perhaps, I’d make one of my own. Many a times along the way, I was dealt with challenges that made me doubt my path, but I was too far from home to turn back, so I forged forward. The journey has been long but also short, tumultuous but also exciting.

This record is a documentation of my time in America; a deliberation on the times and a search for wisdom and the American Dream. I hope you will all enjoy it as much as I do.”

Having previously supported Anderson East, First Aid Kit and Milk Carton Kids, J.S Ondara is set to dazzle his first Glastonbury crowd with his incredibly impressive range and stage presence.

Listen to Torch Song here