The Man Behind the Mask: Red Leather on Sobriety, Vulnerability, and His Second Album, TAHOE
Western rock artist Red Leather is inviting fans on another immersive journey into his mind and artistry with his upcoming album, TAHOE, set for release on February 27, 2026.
The anonymous musician continues to take the western rock scene by storm, pairing a hidden identity with deeply personal storytelling that explores sobriety, recovery, and self-discovery after addiction.
“I think that all the vulnerability and the whole album comes from a place of figuring out how to become a person again,” he recalls.
The 16-track album guides listeners through themes of love, loss, hardship, and overcoming addiction. Three songs have already been released, offering fans an early glimpse into the emotional world of TAHOE.
One of those singles, “THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK,” serves as both a reflection on Red Leather’s anonymous persona and a broader message on the ways people conceal parts of themselves.
“I think for the fan base, it's kind of cool because it is kind of a play on words and the fact that I am anonymous, but what the song is really about is just that we all, I think, I think we all wear masks to a certain extent,” he said.
“GHOST TOWN” and “WISH YOU WERE HERE (FAR AWAY)” are the other two tracks already in the hands of listeners. With several Easter eggs connecting back to his debut album, Red Leather hints at the possibility of a trilogy linking RENO, TAHOE, and a third record.
Reflecting on his first album, Red Leather acknowledges that RENO was created during a period of active addiction.
“The production, the melodies, the despair, the bravado, all those different things were fueled by a drug addiction, and I think so much of TAHOE is about discovering who I am as a normal person,” he says.
In contrast, TAHOE is rooted in vulnerability, personal growth, and the shared experiences he’s had with his listeners.
“When I started writing music, I had no intention of, oh, I want to help people. It really was just to share my story and I think especially going on tour and meeting people in person and hearing very just heavy, visceral stories about how the music has positively impacted people was life, is life changing,” he remembers.
Following the announcement of TAHOE, Red Leather also revealed dates for his upcoming “TAHOE World Tour,” which will bring his immersive live experience to cities across multiple states and countries.
“I'm ready to get back onto the road and see everyone and we're gonna be doing even bigger shows this time,” he expressed.
Among both new and old material, one song stands out as the track he’s most excited to perform live: his upcoming single, “LAST CALL.”
“I feel like it's going to be really, really good live. I mean, I've never played it live because it is unreleased, but I am very excited to play Last Call,” he says.
With nearly 800,000 monthly Spotify listeners, over 300 million streams worldwide on his last album, and more stories left to tell, the future for Red Leather shows no signs of slowing down.
Get tickets to see Red Leather on tour here and make sure to stream TAHOE on February 27.
