SoCal native Evan Honer has announced his third studio album, Everything I Wanted, set to release September 19 via his own label, Cloverdale Records. The announcement was accompanied by the release of his latest single, “Waiting Room,” a short and sweet love song about the way time stops when you’re with someone you love.
Honer is an ex-competitive diver who initially rose to fame when his 2022 cover of Tyler Childers‘ “Jersey Giant” went mega-viral, having now racked up over 200 million streams. He also auditioned for the iconic singing competition American Idol, where he was surprisingly passed up by all 3 judges. Luke Bryan, who told Honer to “stick to diving,” must be somewhere punching the air seeing his success; even celebrity judges get it wrong from time to time.
The college athlete-turned-indie folk star has made a name for himself with what Billboard has called a “cut-to-the-bone style of songwriting.” His grassroots style of touring has endeared him to fans across the nation, who are drawn to his down-to-earth vibe. He really is just a guy who loves to make music and has built his career from the ground up.
Everything I Wanted was recorded over 18 days in a studio he built himself in his garage. His label, Cloverdale Records, is home to 25 artists and has over 100 releases under its belt. Honer recorded his critically acclaimed 2024 album, Fighting For, out of living rooms, churches, AirBnBs and studio spaces he came across on his first national tour. It doesn’t get much more grassroots than that.
He has undergone a bold sonic evolution on Everything I Wanted, deviating from his acoustic Americana roots to embrace a more energetic, expansive sound. Honer credits his growth to learning to embrace the moment. After years on the move, he’s finally learning to slow down. He shared in a statement:
“My life completely changed this past year… I’m learning to be happy where I’m at.”
Honer has had a whirlwind of a year, and he shows no signs of slowing down. His third headline tour kicked off in February and will wrap up at the end of the month. He’s also on a short festival run in the US, after which he’ll do a UK/EU headline run, come back to the US to support Vance Joy’s North American tour, and finally a quick Australian headline run. Tickets are available for purchase here.
“Waiting Room” is available to stream wherever you listen to music, and you can pre-save Everything I Wanted here.
Keep up with Evan Honer: Instagram // Spotify // BandsInTown // YouTube // TikTok // Facebook
