As a Black, queer artist from rural America, Jett Holden is the future of country music. With his debut album being released in just a few months, the singer-songwriter has just dropped a deeply personal new single.
“West Virginia Sky” is a moving track that pays homage to Holden’s favorite view growing up in West Virginia. He says that, “This is the way I love to tell a story.” The song will appear on his upcoming album The Phoenix, debuting October 4th of this year.
“‘West Virginia Sky’ was inspired by Autumn in West Virginia,” Holden explains. “Growing up, we would visit my grandparents in West Virginia every Thanksgiving. It was my favorite time of the year largely because of the changing colors. When I decided to write this song, I knew I wanted to write a myth that explained why the colors change and the leaves fall from the trees.”
He continues, “The myth tells the story of the rising and setting Sun as he watches over his wife, the Phoenix. She’s become ill, and the Sun realizes he’s losing her. Every night he sets in the west and dreams of his distant children who only remain in his orbit out of obligation, and then wakes to see his wife’s feathers molting away as she slowly succumbs to cancer. All the while, he holds onto the hope that he’ll join her again when he goes supernova.”
Holden shares that, “I write the music I wish I heard when I was growing up. If someone hears my music and it makes them feel safe and less alone, it’s done its job, and I’ve done my job.”
Holden’s album marks the first release by Black Opry Records. Launched in partnership with Thirty Tigers, Black Opry Records continues the mission of The Black Opry, an organization and touring collective focused on celebrating and supporting Black roots and country artists.
Listen to “West Virginia Sky” now and pre-save The Phoenix here.