[Cover photo credit to Miles Bitton]

LA singer/songwriter Chris Pierce has shared his new single “Madonna of the San Joaquin,” the latest from his upcoming album, Songs for the Heavy Hearted, out August 21, 2026. With the song, Pierce gives “a face to the many immigrants in America who wake up every morning looking over their shoulders.”

Pierce says about the new single:

We should celebrate the diversity of our country; not instill fear in the people whose labor helps sustain our communities while they seek a better future for their families. ‘Madonna of the San Joaquin’ is a direct challenge to the hypocrisy of those who invoke scripture and morality while turning their backs on the vulnerable, and even participating in their mistreatment.

Produced by frequent collaborators David Resnik and Niko Bolas (Neil Young, The Mavericks), Songs for the Heavy Hearted “captures moments in the lives of everyday people as they struggle with crisis.” The album also features performances from Allison Russell, Steve Earle, Grey DeLisle and Garrison Starr.

Pierce is currently on the road bringing his new music to Minneapolis, San Diego, Vancouver and more cities, including stops this fall at Farm Aid, Americanafest, and NPR’s Mountain Stage.

Tour Dates:

July 24 – White Sulfur Springs, MT – Red Ants Pants Music Festival

July 28 – Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse

July 30-31 – Appleton, WI – Mile of Music

August 1 – Berwyn, IL – Fitzgerald’s

August 2 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

August 22 – Pasadena, CA – Levitt Pavilion

August 26 – San Diego, CA – Holding Company

August 29 – Sutter Creek, CA – Shake Ridge Ranch

September 17 – Nashville, TN – The Basement (AMERICANAFEST)

September 20 – Duluth, GA – Red Clay Music Foundry

September 23 – Richmond, VA – The Tin Pan

September 24 – Raleigh, NC – Pour House Music Hall

September 26 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Aid

October 16-17 – Vancouver, BC – Kay Meek Arts Centre (JJ Cale Tribute Show)

October 20 – Tacoma, WA – Spanish Ballroom at Elks Temple

October 21 – Prosser, WA – Brewminatti

October 24 – Ferndale, CA – The Old Steeple

November 6 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater *

November 7 – State College, PA – State Theater *

November 8 – Huntington, WV – Mountain Stage

* with Steve Earle