With Tonky, Lonnie Holley once again proves he’s not just making music—he’s channeling something elemental. Out now via Jagjaguwar, the album is a swirling, shape-shifting soundscape rooted in storytelling, survival, and sonic alchemy. Holley’s raw, philosophical lyrics meet an experimental palette shaped by collaborators like Jacknife Lee, Jordan Katz, Marlon Patton, and Steve Dress, creating an immersive, boundary-blurring experience.
The album’s closer, “A Change Is Gonna Come”, is a deeply reflective meditation on transformation and uncertainty, driven by a spiritual urgency. Holley asks, “Are we ready for something to change?”—a question that resonates long after the final note fades.
Tonky doesn’t follow traditional structure—it evolves, folds in on itself, and opens again. Each track is a layered, living piece of art that pulses with invention, presence, and emotion. Holley’s voice, rooted in oral tradition, guides listeners through a soundworld that feels both ancient and avant-garde.
Alongside the album, Holley celebrates the release of his first major monograph, a deep dive into his multidisciplinary art practice. And with a tour kicking off at Big Ears Festival and dates in Europe alongside Moor Mother, Tonky isn’t just an album—it’s a movement. Holley is here to make you listen, reflect, and, maybe, believe.
Lonnie Holley Live:
Thu. March 27 – Sun. March 30 – Knoxville, TN @ Big Ears ^
Wed. April 2 – New York, NY @ Rizzoli Bookstore #
April 4th – New York, NY @ Artists Space
Tue. April 8 – Atlanta, GA @ The Carter Center %
Sat. April 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Blum Gallery
Sun. May 11 – Krems, AT @ Donau Festival *
Tue. May 13 – Zurich, CH @ Photobaste *
Wed. May 14 – Bern, CH @ B Flat *
Thu. May 15 – Frankfurt, DE @ Jazz Montez *
Fri. May 16 – Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz *
Sat. May 17 – Berlin, DE @ X Jazz Festival *
^ includes conversation with Grayson Haver-Currin
# conversation & book signing
% includes conversation with Virgina Prescott
* w/ Moor Mother