Johnny Dowd: tour dates

Johnny Dowd has a couple of shows lined up near Ithaca, his place of residence. Outsider Americana at its finest, with a dose of dry humour thrown in for good measure.

Johnny Dowd: Amsterdam added to European tour

Johnny Dowd has added a show in Amsterdam on March 16 to his European tour. He will bring copies of his new album Live at the Downstairs, recorded on January 23, 2025 in his hometown Ithaca, NY, plus an expanded reissue on vinyl of his debut album Wrong Side of Memphis: three sides with original album plus one side with live recordings of "the original Johnny Dowd band (Brian Wilson, Mike Edmondson, Kim Sherwood-Caso) doing psychedelic versions of the Wrong Side tunes" recorded at The Haunt in Ithaca, NY on August 27, 1998.

Johnny Dowd: "Live at the Downstairs" + expanded "Wrong Side of Memphis" reissue

One of a kind Americana artist Johnny Dowd has announced the release of Live at the Downstairs, recorded in his hometown Ithaca, NY. His debut album Wrong Side of Memphis gets an expanded reissue on vinyl, which comes with a bonus LP with "the original Johnny Dowd band doing psychedelic versions of the Wrong Side tunes."

He will be on tour in Europe in March 2026, with Amy Lavere, Will Sexton and Jif Dowd. There is room for house concerts on March 15 & 16, when he is travelling from Aalborg to Leiden. Get in touch if interested to host a show.

Johnny Dowd: European tour dates

Johnny Dowd will bring his special brand of trashcan Americana to Europe in March 2026, playing shows in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and Norway. A new live album is coming soon.

Johnny Dowd: Honky Tonk

Johnny Dowd pays tribute to his heroes Ernest Tubbs and Patsy Cline and pop group The Chiffons on his new single Honky Tonk, a rollicking old school excursion he recorded with like-minded musicians Mike Stark and Park Doing. He might proclaim that his "honky tonking days are done", but that is clearly not true. He is very much on top of his game right now.

An "in concert" version is due for release on a new live album, a very welcome addition to his discography.

Johnny Dowd: tour dates

Johnny Dowd is back on the road in the USA again throughout the Summer, including a bunch of dates opening for The Mekons, and with Amy LaVere and Will Sexton for the Three Headed Monster tour. Expect lots of stuff from his latest album Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".

Johnny Dowd: show in Ithaca

Johnny Dowd will be playing at Deep Dive in his hometown Ithaca, NY on May 10. Show time coincides with happy hour, so it is a win-win occasion. Tickets are available here. Expect lots of stuff from his latest album Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".

» johnnydowd.com

HCTF review of Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know.

Johnny Dowd: interview on Takoma Radio

Johnny Dowd and his musical collaborator Mike Cook will discuss their special king of outsider Americana on Takoma Radio on February 22 at 9pm on the "Lost Treasures" show. DJ Mackie is their host.

» johnnydowd.com

HCTF review of Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know.

Johnny Dowd: supporting The Mekons

Alt-country outsider Johnny Dowd will be supporting The Mekons in July next year. Quite an interesting combination that hopefully will involve some sit-ins at each other's sets. More details TBA.

Live date:

• 01/23 Ithaca, NY @ The Downstairs

» johnnydowd.com

HCTF review of Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know.

Johnny Dowd: Halloween masks

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd has the recipe to scare the shit out of those kids who demand free candy: a face mask with his signature smirk or the drawn version from his Family Picnic album, both available from his webshop. Strapped for cash? Help yourself to a free Halloween card.

Johnny Dowd: tour dates

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd keeps it close to his home with a bunch to his itinerary to promote his Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going". Note: he will also show his art at an exposition @ Art Barn at Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg on July 18.

Johnny Dowd: tour dates

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd has added a couple of shows to his itinerary to promote his Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going". Note: he will also show his art at an exposition @ Art Barn at Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg on July 18.

Johnny Dowd: live in Antwerp videos

Johnny Dowd was captured live by Johan Reyskens @ Djingel Djangel in Antwerp, Belgium on March 29 during his recent European tour promoting his latest album, Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know. The clips were edited by Kris Verdonck.

As per usual he performed a lot of unreleased material, like the hilarious song about adultery, Lipstick Traces in Your Underwear, the rambling Honky Tonk, and the tongue-in-cheek Ain't Dead Yet.

Johnny Dowd: Rapture

Johnny Dowd has saved an outtake from oblivion. Rapture was recorded during the sessions @ Delta Sonic Sound in Memphis for the Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album, but this waltz-driven tune about death and gunpowder did not make it unto the album.

He has always been great at pointing out the flaws in the idea of the American Dream and this one is a worthy addition to that particular subject matter. Hope and prayers won't help.

Johnny Dowd: USA tour dates

The inimitable Johnny Dowd is back in the States and will hit the road again, after a succesful European tour to promote his Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".

Live dates:

• 04/27 Ithaca, NY @ Deep Dive
• 05/10 Somerville, MA @ The Burren
  (w/ Randy Black,Tad Overbaugh & the LAs)
• 05/12 Lowell, MA @ Worthen Attic
  (w/ Simon & Kelly)
• 07/xx Trumansburg, NY @ Grassroots Festival (exact date TBA)

Johnny Dowd: Mystery Woman

Johnny Dowd has once again released another version of Mystery Woman. First released on his Pictures From Life's Other Side album in 1999, he revisited it in 2022. He also made another version during those sessions at Sun Studios in Memphis, with Will Sexton on guitar as well, which now finally sees the light of day. Play them both and dig out the original as well for ten minutes of quiet intensity.

Johnny Dowd: "Another Mule" live video

Watch Johnny Dowd perform Another Mule with Amy LaVere (bass, vocals) Will Sexton (guitar), Rick Steff (keyboards) and Shawn Zorn (drums) at the vinyl release party for his Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album @ The Downstairs, Ithaca NY - November 20, 2023.

Johnny Dowd: tour dates

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd has two more shows coming up in his homestate New York,, before he flies to Europe to promote his Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know album with a string of live dates throughout March: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".

Johnny Dowd: "Is Heaven Real?" video

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd has posted a video for Is Heaven Real?. It is a track from his new album Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".

The clip was made by Dutch designer Auke Triesschijn.

Johnny Dowd: listen to "Is Heaven Real?" from his new album "Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know"

Musical maverick Johnny Dowd posted an MP3 of Is Heaven Real? on his website. It is a track from his forthcoming new album Is Heaven Real? How Would I Know: "His special blend of trashcan Americana is wrapped in a cloak of bluesy, jazzy and soulful music, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his: get a honky-tonk version of the Stax/Volt records vibe going".