Article Contributed by Missing Piece Group
Published on 2026-11-08
Folksinger Willi Carlisle’s new double album The Universal Bubba is out now via Signature Sounds. Carlisle reaches new heights with the added accelerant of first-time producer Tyler Childers. In an all-time DIY effort, Childers and his band convened at a makeshift home studio nestled in the Bywater District of New Orleans for two weeks to cut 17 tracks that expand Carlisle’s sonic scrapbook and capture the off-kilter characters living in his songs.
“Willi is one of my favorite modern day songwriters,” says Childers. “There’s a lot of folks doing it, but few folks doing it like Mr. Carlisle. When he reached out asking me to produce this album, I was elated at the opportunity. It was an honor to get to work on this project, and I’m super proud of what we ended up with.”
Watch the music videos for “Mason Jar at the Center of the World” and “Gas Station” on YouTube and YouTube, respectively.
Stream or order The Universal Bubba.
“I think this one goes to outer space,” says Carlisle. “I think this is the widest range of influences that I’ve ever had. It touches on funk, it touches on Americana, Cajun, oldtime, and experimental music.” With Childers’ band behind him, Carlisle embraced the freedom to wander across genres both familiar and new, testing out instrumentation and toying with the surreality of traditions being turned on their head. “It feels like getting drunk at the Civil War reenactment, or cruising at the cattle auction, or doing molly at the square dance,” explains Carlisle. “It’s the first time I’ve ever used synthesizers and double electric guitars. There’s also more fretless 19th century style banjo on it than any record I’ve ever made.”
Here’s what press has already been saying about Carlisle and The Universal Bubba:
“Sprawling tall tales and hottenanny ditties refresh traditional forms by opening them up to often obscured perspectives.”
—NPR Music
“He sings like Confucius delivering an AA proverb at the top of a plateau…no one sings about the world like Carlisle.”
—Paste
“A charming, challenging, inspiring album that never ceases to entertain. If there’s any justice, it’ll make Willi Carlisle a star.”
—Stereogum
“Full of vivid stories that paint the human experience in all of its beauty, hardship, and occasional artery-clogging meals.”
—Rolling Stone
“Phenomenal folk singer and storyteller.”
—Nashville Scene
Exploration aside, Carlisle’s mission as a folksinger largely remains the same—documenting the stories and struggles of everyday people and balancing the humor and hope of existence. “I want to make a universal folk music. Songs for all kinds of weirdos,” says Carlisle. “I want to write songs that prove the old weird America didn’t go anywhere, that we are living and dying for it everyday. I believe there’s noble work to do in that context. That if we feel despair, we don’t need to because there’s so much good work to do.”
As Rolling Stone says, “Carlisle is here to do the work to make country and folk music a place of inclusivity and empathy.” In that vein, Carlisle has announced “Bubbas In The Community,” an initiative put together by Carlisle that invites mutual aid groups, nonprofits, and unions in different cities to set up a table on his tour to help fundraise, gain recognition, and expand their reach in their respective communities.
Speaking about the importance of bringing attention to these organizations, Carlisle stated, “In an age of increasing inequality and divisiveness, I want concerts to foster solidarity among working people. Most music, even political music, doesn’t do this all that directly. This is one small way to make our social character more important than our social content. I hope our shows become a big tent where people share ideas, inspiration, and work!”
Fans can recommend their favorite organizations in their community through the official Willi Carlisle website.
Carlisle is in the midst of an extensive North American tour in support of the album, which continues into 2027.
Released November 6, 2026
Signature Sounds
Tracklist
1. The Mason Jar at the Center of the World
2. Gas Station
3. Use Me Up
4. Good Morning, Midnight
5. Marlboro Vinyasa
6. The Master’s Hammer
7. Contact High
8. The Universal Bubba, Part One
9. The Universal Bubba, Part Two
10. She Only Loves Horses
11. Ditchdigger’s Song (Dust and the Devil)
12. Sadly Enormous
13. I Ain’t Crazy
14. Red Leather, Yellow Leather
15. Old Milwaukee Onestep
16. Bigger’n Dallas
17. Golden Dragon Buffet
Stream / Order The Universal Bubba
2026
November 6 — Portland, ME — First Parish Church
November 7 — Burlington, VT — Higher Ground
November 8 — Kingston, NY — Assembly
November 10 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird
November 12 — Washington, DC — Union Stage
November 13 — Durham, NC — Stanczyks
November 14 — Atlanta, GA — The Earl
December 3 — Denver, CO — Bluebird Theater
December 5 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
December 6 — Boise, ID — Shrine Social
December 9 — Vancouver, BC, Canada — The Pearl
December 10 — Seattle, WA — Tractor Tavern
December 11 — Portland, OR — Mississippi Studios
December 12 — Trout Lake, WA — Trout Lake Hall
December 14 — San Francisco, CA — The Independent
December 15 — Felton, CA — Felton Music Hall
December 17 — Los Angeles, CA — Sid The Cat Auditorium
December 18 — San Diego, CA — Soda Bar
December 19 — Pioneertown, CA — Pappy + Harriet’s
December 20 — Phoenix, AZ — Valley Bar
2027
January 21 — Omaha, NE — Reverb Lounge
January 22 — Des Moines, IA — xBk
January 23 — Chicago, IL — The Empty Bottle
January 24 — South Bend, IN — Stockroom East
January 26 — Newport, KY — Southgate House Revival
January 27 — Louisville, KY — Zanzabar
January 29 — Johnson City, TN — Down Home
January 30 — Asheville, NC — The Grey Eagle
January 31 — Charlotte, NC — The Evening Muse
February 1 — Athens, GA — 40 Watt Club
February 18 — Tulsa, OK — Mercury Lounge
February 19 — Fayetteville, AR — George’s Majestic Lounge
February 20 — Little Rock, AR — White Water Tavern
February 21 — Little Rock, AR — White Water Tavern
February 23 — Fort Worth, TX — Tulips
February 25 — Austin, TX — Antone’s
February 26 — Galveston, TX — Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe
February 27 — New Orleans, LA — Saturn Bar
