25/08/2026
Desperado is my second Independent album on this Country Hop & Roll journey. It’s a soundtrack for the rebels, the romantics, and everyone chasing freedom. Across 10 tracks, it blends summer anthems, acoustic soul, and heartfelt storytelling into one unforgettable ride.
I’ve been producing this project over the past year and half and it’s finally yours to keep. None of it would be possible without my amazing team and family working tirelessly to make it a reality. They stand by me and believe in this as if it was their own and in my eyes it is all of ours.
Bandit Nation we continue to grow and reach farther out into the world. Music from Detroit is meant to be heard and you’re proof of that. Vanity metrics will never drive my purpose to be here Only real CONNECTION.
Desperado - the song hit me like a bolt lightning. I wrote it front to finish in a half hour sitting on a chair in my living room. I started with the melody and the more I thought about the concept. The words just kept coming out.
Heart In California - the idea started when Basheer Bazoun told me about how his sister had moved back, but her heart was in California. I loved the title and the concept as soon as i heard it. We got together in the studio and brought in the word smith Charles Neighborhood Xampil Taylor to help bring it home. It quickly became a favorite among the team for its simplicity with meaning and intention.
Brown Eyed Country Girl - I’ll never forget sitting in my truck with Dave Menzo and him playing me the original demo of this song. He knew it would be special and when he brought me in on it, we captured lightning in a bottle once again. We cooked in the studio on it together to give it the energy it deserved. It’s a crowd favorite. Every show we play.
Summer Lightning (Acoustic Version) - Aman told me once and it sticks with me today. “ a great song is when you can put in your pocket and go throughout your life and when you need it, you can pull it out and it’s there for you.” that’s what this song is to me. I wrote it so long ago, but still today the message stands. I was excited to create an acoustic version of this song that means so much.
1 4 U 2 - I started writing this song on what felt like a death bed in Nashville after being sick all weekend during I just saw some of the biggest names in country music perform all day so when I was lying in bed, I woke up out of nowhere inspired with this hook. Waking up excited the next day to tell Aman about it and him telling me, “bro, go back to sleep!” The song wouldn’t be where it is without the help of Jessica B. she brought the charm it needed in the verses to bring the story to life to make you feel like you were there living the song.
Dock Holliday - this song started as a dream for years after I heard the title from Matt Cordts it never escaped me. Donnie Rad knew instantly we had to write this song. Hanging out in the studio with Mike and Yorg we started bringing the idea to life. Donny and I the spent another whole day just brainstorming and writing down concepts until we walked away with a full song. It was one of my funnest song writing days. This song is a crowd favorite to sing along to at every show.
Out In The Country - Matt and I had been talking about the concept of this song for a while, but it wasn’t until I went on vacation and on on my Flight home I was listening to the beat I had produced for it. I got inspired and wrote down all the lyrics that would be in the song today. I kept imagining what it would be like coming home to my dream house so that’s what inspired me. This Michigan boy is gonna get that house. Thanks to you Bandit.
Old Ghosts (Acoustic Version) - I wanted to bring this song back into my life as a reminder to not let the old ghost steal the future show from me. When I wrote this originally, I was dealing with imposter syndrome and worthiness. I was in the Ryan Tedder’s class learning how to write from one of the GOATS. In that class I met my friend and cowriter from Ireland Mr. Stephen Kelly He continued to inspire me and teach me different things in songwriting and Audio engineering. I like to think this is still one of our favorite songs.
Road That’s Missing You - Blake Watts hit me up on TikTok asking me about writing a song. My schedule is really busy at the time but we started brainstorming titles. We settled on “Road That’s Missing You” both of us blue collar boys knew what it was like to work hard and be gone away from your family. Once I made the production, I really started sitting with the song and the lyrics just poured out.
Footprints - I had heard his name a bunch through different artists around town so when I saw him come up as someone you might know on social media, I added him. His name is Greg Stryker and when I sent him a message he was nothing but kind. He let me tell him about my project and what I was experimenting with. He liked the idea of it so we started writing songs together. This is one of many that will be heard by the world. I knew this one was special the moment he sung the hook to me from his phone. I worked on the production instantly and together overtime we brought the song to life. The song has been a favorite among Bandit Nation, even though it hasn’t been released. The impact it will have is still to be determined.
Will Brierre has worked with me back-and-forth tirelessly to make sure every Mix felt Unique and Authentic to my Sound. His patience with me is so appreciated. I’m thankful he brought in a legend like John Greenham to give these songs, the master touch that’s so many great Artists trust.
Producing this album with my best friends has been a dream. All of you continue to inspire me daily. .wpb
Writing songs is like therapy for me. It puts the air back in my lungs. Every person involved writing on this brings light to the dark world, and I’m grateful to share creative space with you.
The Photography and storytelling from Mike and Leo makes me feel like a superhero. Your talents are unmatched and I couldn’t imagine anyone else handling the vision of Louie Lee the way you do.
Here is the tracklist and back cover to “Desperado” I hope you love it as much as I do and you find it an easy listen with no skips. I love you. I’m honor to share this life with you. Bandit Nation riding till the wheels fall off.
Yeah We Them! ❤️🔥
