Idaho-based singer-songwriter Jens Kuross curates emotional atmospheres with minimal instrumentation. In his latest single, “Beggar’s Nation,” he delicately submerges us in a wonky yet warm organ, giving us a peek at a late-night drive through memory, hurt, and unresolved reckoning. From the opening minor chords, the song ushers in a contemplative journey you almost can’t escape. His sincerity shines through each note, lending a raw edge to the sparse arrangement. This emotional candor also forges a universal connection, one in which any listener can see themselves in its haunting landscape.
Kuross’s lyrics and vocal delivery deepen the sense of dark introspection, letting you feel the pull of a vicious cycle. There’s an underlying trauma in his words that feels both personal and universal, described as a product of the environment yet woven through generations. In this narrative, Kuross is at once participant and observer of his own downfall, haunted by those “old stories.” Vocals take center stage on this haunting track, and about three-quarters of the way in, the arrangement swells, hinting at a moment of resolve. The repeated mantra “what goes around, it comes around” hypnotizes you into the song’s ending, sealing your fate with subtly harmonious outro notes that signal change.
Jens Kuross’ upcoming album Crooked Songs came to fruition through Hayden Pedigo, who Kuross opened for at a basement show in Boise and who ultimately produced the album. That show took place after Kuross moved back to Idaho to go back to carpentry, when a stint in Los Angeles as a session musician proved likely fruitless. Reflecting on the show, Pedigo says: “Jens played these beautiful, touching songs that sounded something like Arthur Russell-meets-Harry Nilsson. By the second song, I was in tears. It was the first live performance that ever made me cry. At the end of his set, I told my wife that it was the single best live performance I had ever seen.” Following the show, Pedigo called Kuross and insisted he make an album that resembled the live show – stripped back, weighty, and sincere, as on the new single, “Beggar’s Nation.”
“Beggar’s Nation” is released ahead of Jens Kuross’ upcoming album, Crooked Songs, out August 29th via Woodsist. Pre-order available here.
Listen to “Beggar’s Nation” below:
Jens Kuross Tour Dates:
(all dates supporting Hayden Pedigo)
Wed. Oct. 22 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Cell at FUSION
Thu. Oct. 23 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Lulu’s Downtown
Fri. Oct. 24 – Denver, CO @ Swallow Hill
Sun. Oct. 26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Parker Theatre
Mon. Oct. 27 – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
Wed. Oct. 29 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Fri. Oct. 31 – Seattle, WA @ Ballard Homestead
Sat. Nov. 1 – Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall
Tue. Nov. 4 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place (Outdoors)
Wed. Nov. 5 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Thu. Nov. 6 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriets
Fri. Nov. 7 – Los Angeles, CA @ Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
Sat. Nov. 8 – Ojai, CA @ Ojai Valley Woman’s Club
Mon. Nov. 10 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Tue. Nov. 11 – Tucson, AZ @ Pidgin Palace Arts
Thu. Nov. 13 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
Fri. Nov. 14 – Marfa, TX @ Ballroom Marfa
Sat. Nov 15 – Austin, TX @ Central Presbyterian Church
Sun. Nov. 16 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)
Mon. Nov. 17 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Hermann Hall
Wed. Nov. 19 – Kansas City, MO @ The Ship
Thu. Nov. 20 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
Fri. Nov. 21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Icehouse
Sun. Nov. 23 – Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
Mon. Nov. 24 – Indianapolis, ID @ Turntable
Wed. Nov. 26 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall
Thu. Nov. 27 – Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
Sat. Nov. 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ St. John’s Lutheran Church
Sun. Nov. 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Black Squirrel Club
Mon. Dec. 1 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage
Wed. Dec. 3- Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Altar)
Thu. Dec. 4 – Nashville, TN @ The Blue Room at Third Man Records
Fri. Dec. 5 – Memphis, TN @ 1884 Lounge
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