Hoodie Allen’s forthcoming tour marks the 10th anniversary of his first commercially successful album, “All American.”
His teenage self is having a fit.
“I guess the naïve 18-year-old version of myself is probably saying, ‘That’ so old,’” Allen said with a laugh.
“In that spot, it went pretty quickly. I cross my fingers that I can look forward to the second decade of doing this.”
The notable pop artist just released his first tour dates in nearly three years. The With or Without You 2022 Summer Tour will span across the United States in August. To commemorate the 10th anniversary, the setlist will include fan favorites like “No Interruption” and his new single, “Wouldn’t That Be Nice.”
His jaunt comes to Echoplex in DTLA on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Over the last decade, Allen has worked hard to establish a work-life balance, which lends itself to more creative work.
“You can’t really create good art that affects me if you’re not also living your life and doing things that inspire creativity,” he said.
“I’ve tried to — especially in the last five years or so — to remember to also have career and personal lives. Avoiding burnout is definitely clutch.”
Following the tour and two singles— “Wouldn’t That Be Nice” and “Call Me Never” — Allen will send a new album to streaming services.
“I think anybody who’s listened to me before will find it’s a departure, especially lyrically,” he said. “Musically, it leans more in an alternative pop-rock, or emo format — whatever you want to call it.
“It’s very cohesive. I wrote it all in the same period of time where I was trying to manage the end of a relationship and seeking closure for it.”
The lyrics are painfully honest, Allen said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done something that was this honest before,” he explained. “I spilled my guts and made me look ‘weak’ or vulnerable. There’s a certain raw quality to it. For me, it’s exciting to release something in the world I’ve never done before. It has a great vibe for the summer, though.
“It’s very interesting to see and receive the feedback from fans. Some of them say these songs couldn’t have come in a better point in their lives. It reminds you that we have these shared experiences and music is a great tool to connect us.”
Hoodie Allen w/Lolo and Belanganas
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16
WHERE: Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Boulevard,
Los Angeles
COST: Tickets start at $29.50
INFO: theecho.com