Americana-folk-rocker Ron Pope’s latest track “I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon” is now added to the East of 8th Spotify Playlist!
About Ron Pope:
Anyone who is a long-time reader of East of 8th knows that we’re a bit of a fan of Ron Pope. We’ve covered several of the singer-songwriter’s singles and albums over the years, lured in by his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics.
Pope gained prominence in the mid-2000s with his hit song “A Drop in the Ocean.” The track, with its poignant piano melody and raw emotional delivery, became an internet sensation and remains one of his most recognizable works to date. Pope’s music is deeply rooted in storytelling, often exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth. His sound blends elements of rock, folk, country, and pop, creating a style that resonates across genres.
Pope’s career path took a unique turn when he chose to forgo the traditional music industry route. In 2008, after a brief stint with a major label, he decided to take full control of his career, releasing music independently. This decision paid off as Pope built a loyal fanbase through grassroots promotion and digital platforms. His success is a testament to the power of independent artists in the digital age. Since going independent, Pope has released over a dozen albums, each showcasing his evolution as both a musician and a storyteller. Tracks like “Call It What You Want” and “I Do Not Love You” continue to highlight his ability to capture universal emotions through deeply personal narratives.
“I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon,” new album announcement, and tour dates:
East of 8th has covered a lot of Pope’s music over the years. He works tirelessly to keep the new music coming. However, that alone is not what makes this artist so compelling. In the streaming age, there is a pressure on all artists to release as much new music as possible to keep the algorithm in check. What sets Pope apart is his ability to consistently craft meaningful songs that connect with our emotions.
“I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon” is a fiddle-laced tune is about missing the one you love, being away from them for too long, and looking forward to being with them again. Like (most) of the other recent singles from Pope, the new track has a lighter, folksier sound than some of the darker, more contemplative Americana-rock we’re used to hearing from the artist. However, the change is not a bad thing. Pope’s vocals on past favorites like “Work” carried a gut-punch of emotion. “I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon” shows his emotional dexterity as he fills the listener with brighter, hopeful anticipation.
“I’ve been with my wife a long time,” Pope says. “After 17 years together and nearly 11 years of marriage, at this point, I can’t see anything keeping us apart except the grave. Morbid? Sure. But also romantic. (‘Morbid Romance’ would be my emo band name, by the way.) I wrote ‘I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon’ last summer at the end of a long tour, as I was taking a train to meet her in London after six weeks apart. I’d been thinking about the places we’ve been together and the adventures we’ve shared. Ours hasn’t always been an easy life, but it’s been beautiful,” he adds. “We’re in this thing for the duration.”
Pope has promised that a new album is on its way for 2025. “I Pray I’ll Be Seeing You Soon” follows prior album teasers such as “Nobody’s Gonna Make It Out Alive,” “I Gotta Change (Or I’m Gonna Die),” a raw commentary on the opioid epidemic, and “I’m Not The Devil (ft. Taylor Bickett).”
Pope has also recently announced his “Neon and Glass World Tour,” 28 dates slated for 2025. Spanning the EU and the US, the tour features Emily Scott Robinson, Andrea von Kampen, Thunderstorm Artis, and Denitia in opening roles.
“I have put together the most compelling band I’ve ever played with in my life for these dates,” says Pope about the tour. “I’ve got three other multi-instrumentalists who are all going to blow your minds; we’re going to do everything but ride unicycles up there. Expect quiet songs and loud ones, new songs and stuff I wrote before I was old enough to buy a beer,” he continues. “I can’t wait to show y’all what we’ve been cooking up. I’ve got my old bud Emily Scott Robinson opening in Europe and new friends Thunderstorm Artis, Andrea von Kampen, and Denitia opening in The States. They’re all killers and you’ll surely lose your mind over them.”
Fellow Nashvillians should notice that March 15, 2025 date at the Basement East!
Listen to “I PRAY I’LL BE SEEING YOU SOON”
CONNECT WITH RON POPE:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | BANDCAMP | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY
Leave a Reply