Gus Englehorn - The Broken Balladeer

Alaska-born, via Montréal, and now living in Hawai’i, singer-songwriter psych-poet Gus Englehorn releases his brand new album The Broken Balladeer, produced by Paul Leary of Butthole Surfers, today on all platforms. As always accompanied by essential collaborator and drummer Estée Preda, Gus recorded The Broken Balladeer in Austin, TX at the beginning of March 2025. “We recorded The Broken Balladeer in 6 days” explains Estée. “In fact, we tracked all the songs live the very first day, except for the piano ballad that was recorded the next day. We were so excited to have the chance to work with the big dogs that we made sure to arrive very prepared. The record turned out to have a very real and unified sound.’’

A spilling over of the acceptable edges — the pattern begins again.

We’re on hallowed ground, with pure unfiltered sound, and the hounds are out. Songs and words and instruments pumping in the veins of the world, heartbeats back in Hawaii, on the leafy streets of Portland. There’s no one in the audience, there’s one thousand people in the audience. Montreal, Austin, Maui, France, Toronto, Seattle, D.C. — floating on songs, in water, on ideas, paintings, films, all flowing out of love, leaving a man empty, filling a man back up again, leaving a man empty. The Broken Balladeer, Gus Englehorn’s fourth album — twelve tracks like hours on the clock — the entirety a picture of time well spent. Back with Paul Leary this time in the studio, with even more seasoned sellswords committed to honor and truth in art. Texans going big on a big-hearted balladeer, bringing something good into the world. Spinning melody and story with a deeper perspective born of this four-album journey. “I’m homesick but I haven’t got a home.” All those cities traversed grids and paths taken — could any of them be the resting place for the Broken Balladeer? “How many cool drips can you stand?” The Balladeer: a new person, a new vessel where Gus Englehorn currently resides. Language and otherworldly sound effects carried on the winds of creativity, both sorrowful and triumphant. “You better watch your step.” Hear their voices, heed the warning, fall back into the breeze of song; it’s nothing short, it’s nothing long, just a meadow for us to rest in — a gift from the imaginations of modern-day spell casters, creating ceremony and connection wherever they go. Catch The Broken Balladeer: if he falls, carry him and give the gift back, as we all fight for air, and lashes flutter like butterfly wings. Before the dark, we can rejoice together through music. This music. – Jesse Burtner

Gus Englehorn will celebrate the release of The Broken Balladeer with two headlining album launch shows presented by Mothland in Montréal and Québec City, an appearance at SXSW, and a run of European headlining dates, before joining Holy Fuck on 18 dates across North America this spring.  See full tour dates HERE and contact us with any requests!