J.S. Ondara

J.S. Ondara
Born	Nairobi
Nationality	Kenya
Genres	folk music

J.S. Ondara
Background information
Born	Nairobi, Kenya
Origin	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Genres	Americana, folk
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Labels	Verve Forecast
Website	https://www.spanishvillager.org/

J.S. Ondara, professionally known as Ondara, is a Grammy Award-nominated Kenyan singer-songwriter, whose debut album, Tales of America, was released on February 15, 2019 via Verve Forecast. The critical success of the debut led to a follow-up deluxe edition, Tales of America: The Second Coming, in September 2019 featuring the original lineup plus five bonus tracks.

Biography

Ondara was born in August 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya. as well as songs despite not having an instrument to play them on because his family could not afford one. He was inspired by Radiohead, Nirvana, Death Cab For Cutie, Jeff Buckley, Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, and Bob Dylan.

Ondara grew up listening to rock songs on his older sisters’ battery-powered radio. Having discovered The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan following a dispute with a friend over whether "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was a Guns N' Roses song, Ondara resolved to travel to the United States to pursue a career in music.

In February 2013, after winning in the green card lottery, Ondara moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota He taught himself to play guitar The album was produced by Mike Viola of the Candy Butchers. In support of the album, Ondara embarked on his first headlining tour in March 2019. The album also landed on the Billboard Heatseekers Album, Americana/Folk Album Sales, and Rock Album Sales charts.

Ondara cites Bob Dylan as his musical hero, which is why he chose to live in Minnesota,

Ondara was nominated for 'Best Americana Album' at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for his album, Tales of America. |- ! scope="row"| "Lebanon" | 2019 | 23 | Tales of America |}