Russ Tolman is a singer-songwriter and recording artist who has spent several decades proving that persistence is a musical genre. A veteran of the Los Angeles roots-rock scene and head wrangler of the Paisley Underground adjacent True West, Tolman writes songs for people who like their melodies strong, their lyrics literate and their coffee consumed, not curated.
His music lives somewhere between rock, folk and Americana – territory populated by flawed narrators, late-night realisations and the quiet suspicion that things didn’t turn out exactly as planned, but maybe better than expected.
Tolman’s new album, ‘STRAY’, sees him leaning into that perspective with conviction and a clear-eyed sense of purpose. It features Tom Heyman (Chuck Prophet, Hiss Golden Messenger, Alejandro Escovedo) on guitar and pedal steel, adding just the right measure of ache and atmosphere. Mike Coykendall (M. Ward, She & Him) handles drums, bonhomie and backing vocals, while San Francisco journeyman Rusty Miller fills out the picture on bass, piano and harmonies. Together with an extra backing voice or two, they help bring Tolman’s songs vividly to life without stepping on the furniture.
STRAY’ sees Tolman continuing to walk the line between country and folk, rock and soul on this collection of eight originals – including his current single ‘Streets Of Denim’, a co-write with Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Baseball Project) – plus unexpected tunes from R&B songwriter Arthur Alexander and k.d. lang.
Tolman has written, recorded and released eight previous solo albums, each one capturing a slightly older, slightly wiser version of the same songwriter still chasing the perfect line. His voice carries the lived-in authority of someone who has paid attention, taken notes and survived the chorus.
Russ Tolman continues to make music for listeners who believe great songs don’t expire, trends are optional and honesty beats volume every time.
STRAY
1 Streets Of Denim
2 My Way Back
3 Make It Fine
4 It’s Because
5 Why Do We Fight
6 If It’s Really Got To Be This Way
7 Stray
8 Our Love
9 Back To Yesterday
10 Hello Rising Sun
new single
out now
(Flatiron Recordings)
stream | Bandcamp
included on
STRAY
new album
European release
18th September 2026 (LP | CD)
out now (digital)
stream
Official Site | Facebook | Instagram | X
