Lukas Nelson released American Romance, his debut solo album, last Friday (June 20). The LP represents a new chapter in his career after parting ways with Promise of the Real in 2024. Last night (June 23), he took his new backing band to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform the title track from his new album.
Videos by American Songwriter
While he shared writing credits on a handful of songs on the new LP, Nelson wrote the title track solo. Soaked with pedal steel, the song harkens back to traditional country music. More importantly, it is a perfect example of the overall sound of Nelson’s Shooter Jennings-produced solo debut. Watch him perform the track for a nationwide TV audience below.
Lukas Nelson on Going Solo
Last week, Lukas Nelson sat down with American Songwriter to talk about his new album and his new musical path. During the interview, he revealed why he believed it was time for him to go solo after more than a decade with Promise of the Real.
“It’s important, I think, just the energy of playing with different people sometimes and doing new things and exploring musically. I’ve been with Promise of the Real for a long time,” Nelson said. “I started that band out of a love for Neil Young and that type of music. It became his band, and I think that was what it was meant to be, ultimately,” he explained.
“I knew, as a songwriter and the creative force for all of those songs we did not with Neil, I had a journey of my own to take. So, I had to step away from that project because it was so tied to being Neil Young’s backing band,” Nelson said. However, he said that wasn’t the only reason he struck out on his own.
“I needed to step into my generation and reach people my age and young who will be with me forever and hopefully carry me forward in my own career,” he explained. “When all of those guys we look up to are gone, I hope I will have said something to my own generation and my own people.”
Featured Image by Todd Owyoung/NBC
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.