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John Mellencamp Announces New LP ‘Orpheus Descending,’ Shares New Single, “Hey God”

Iconic heartland rocker John Mellencamp has announced his forthcoming new LP, Orpheus Descending, which is due out on June 2.

To celebrate the news, Mellencamp has shared the new single and accompanying music video for the track “Hey God.” Mellencamp has also been playing a new song, “The Eyes of Portland,” on his current Live and In Person 2023 Tour. (See the song live, here.)

Videos by American Songwriter

Mellencamp, who released his most recent album, Strictly A One Eyed Jack, in 2022, has released a new book of paintings and showed his artwork at the New York Academy of Art while launching a permanent collection at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mellencamp also reissued his LP Scarecrow.

American Songwriter caught up with Mellencamp amidst the release of his 2022 LP, where he talked about the idea of receiving inspiration for his work.

โ€œYou have to be open to the gods,โ€ says Mellencamp, โ€œor whatever it is that sends songwriters songs. I did not sit down and think, โ€˜I want to write a song called โ€˜I Always Lie To Strangers,โ€™ but I was sitting there and all of a sudden there was a voice in my head that said, โ€˜John you should write these words down.โ€™โ€

Check out Mellencamp’s new single and his upcoming tour dates below.

John Mellencamp’s Remaining Tour Dates:

April 21โ€”Stifel Theatreโ€”St. Louis, MO
April 22โ€”Stifel Theatreโ€”St. Louis, MO
April 24โ€”Orpheum Theatreโ€”Memphis, TN
April 25โ€”Orpheum Theatreโ€”Memphis, TN
May 5โ€”Old National Events Plazaโ€”Evansville, IN
May 6โ€”Old National Events Plazaโ€”Evansville, IN
May 8โ€”Ryman Auditoriumโ€”Nashville, TN
May 9โ€”Ryman Auditoriumโ€”Nashville, TN
May 10โ€”Ryman Auditoriumโ€”Nashville, TN
May 12โ€”Aronoff Centerโ€”Cincinnati, OH
May 13โ€”Aronoff Centerโ€”Cincinnati, OH
May 15โ€”Embassy Theatreโ€”Ft. Wayne, IN
May 16โ€”Embassy Theatreโ€”Ft. Wayne, IN
May 17โ€”Palace Theatreโ€”Columbus, OH
May 19โ€”Peace Centerโ€”Greenville, SC
May 20โ€”DPAC โ€”Durham, NC
May 22โ€”Benedum Centerโ€”Pittsburgh, PA
May 23โ€”Benedum Centerโ€”Pittsburgh, PA
May 25โ€”Playhouse Squareโ€”Cleveland, OH
May 26โ€”Playhouse Squareโ€”Cleveland, OH
June 2โ€”The Lyricโ€”Baltimore, MD
June 3โ€”Kimmel Cultural Campusโ€”Philadelphia, PA
June 5โ€”Beacon Theatreโ€”New York, NY
June 6โ€”Beacon Theatreโ€”New York, NY
June 7โ€”Beacon Theatreโ€”New York, NY
June 10โ€”Boch Center โ€“ Wang Theatreโ€”Boston, MA
June 11โ€”Providence Performing Arts Centerโ€”Providence, RI
June 13โ€”Palace Theatreโ€”Albany, NY
June 14โ€”Landmark Theatreโ€”Syracuse, NY
June 16โ€”Sheaโ€™s Performing Arts Centerโ€”Buffalo, NY
June 17โ€”Masonic Temple Theatreโ€”Detroit, MI
June 19โ€”Massey Hallโ€”Toronto, ON
June 21โ€”DeVos Performance Hallโ€”Grand Rapids, MI
June 23โ€”Morris Performing Arts Centerโ€”South Bend, IN
June 24โ€”Morris Performing Arts Centerโ€”South Bend, IN

Photo by Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images