Johnny Delaware is an American folk-rock and indie-pop singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer originally from South Dakota. Best known as a co-founder and former member of the critically acclaimed indie-roots band SUSTO, he has also fronted the indie-rock group The Artisanals and built a distinct solo career characterized by road-worn, psychedelic-tinged cosmic folk.

While living in Nebraska and struggling to fund his music, a tree fell onto Delaware's old Toyota RAV4. The resulting $10,000 insurance payout funded his relocation to Charleston, South Carolina, and the recording of his 2013 debut album, Secret Wave, alongside producer Wolfgang Zimmerman.

In Charleston, he co-founded the indie-roots band SUSTO. The band earned national acclaim, touring with major acts like The Lumineers and Band of Horses. He temporarily rejoined the group to record their 2023 material before returning to solo work.

In 2016, Delaware left SUSTO to form and front the international touring rock band The Artisanals.

Delaware later relocated to Mexico, integrating global sounds and Spanish guitars into his atmospheric, Laurel Canyon-inspired folk-rock.

Solo Discography

• Secret Wave (2013): His breakout debut that earned him "Songwriter of the Year" honors from the Charleston City Paper.

• Energy of Light (2022): Written and recorded during his time living in Mexico.

• Para Llevar (2024): A glowing, psychedelic-folk record anchored by the instrumental track "Incógnita".

• On God's Time (2026): A cinematic, self-produced meditation on mortality and spiritual exploration. In an intentional counter-cultural move, the album was released physically on vinyl and CD to independent record stores before hitting digital streaming platforms.