Listen: Nicki Bluhm Previews Forthcoming LP ‘Rancho Deluxe’ with New Single “Simple Side of Me”

Photo: Lauren Massie

On the heels of her participation in the Heart of Town concert series celebrating 60 years of Grateful Dead music this past weekend, Nashville-resident Nicki Bluhm has returned to her solo endeavors and shared the latest single, “Simple Side of Me,” off her forthcoming studio album, Rancho Deluxe, due on October 3. The feel-good track represents the third preview of her impending release, following “Simple Side of Me” and  “Cumberland Banks,” her nod toward touring with the Infamous Stringdusters. 

Rancho Deluxe serves as Bluhm’s latest studio effort, following 2023’s Cher tribute album, The Beat Goes On, and her infectious blend of country, rock, and ‘60s pop tendencies conveyed via Avondale Drive. The latest preview showcases Bluhm’s vivacious skillset, highlighting her ability to deliver a message of self-respect through personal reflection. The artist’s capacity to effectively convey her feelings through songs comes from two decades’ worth of lessons in the music business, inspiring her confidence in breaking the mold in pursuit of her indie ambitions.

“I wrote this song in my living room with my good friend, neighbor and collaborator Cameron Neal. We were drinking coffee and looking out over the yard and the horses, talking about touring and how much we miss home when we’re gone and I thought, ‘I just really love being here, why would I ever wanna leave this place?’ The song became an ode to the home I share with my partner/producer Jesse Wilson and our revolving door of friends and loved ones we share it with. It’s about being settled in the present moment and having gratitude for exactly where you are and who you’re with.”

The San Francisco-bred songstress, known for sharing the stage with the likes of Bobby Weir and Phil Lesh, while defining her brand of hippie-tinged country, embarks on a chapter of sheer independence via Rancho Deluxe by taking a step back from industry expectations and invoking her free-wheeling approach to musical autonomy. “I’m growing, I’m reflecting, and I’m recalibrating,” she says. “I’m forging ahead in a new way, but doing it on my own terms this time.”

Stream “Simple Side of Me” below. Pre-order Rancho Deluxe now. 

Rancho Deluxe:

1. Bay Laurel Leaves

2. Falling Out Of Dreams

3. Tumbleweed

4. Keep On Growing

5. Cumberland Banks

6. Change The Channel

7. Simple Side Of Me

8. Trying To Survive

9. Taking Chances

10. Long Time To Make Old Friends