Esperanza Recordings

01/02/2026

And we’re off to the races in ‘26! Happy New Year, folks!

Allie Levanway knows what it is to break into pieces. The goal, she says, is to not disappear in the breaking.

12/29/2025

Esperanza Holiday Showcase. 12.27.2025.

Thanks to all who came out last night and helped us cap off our first year back in action! It was the perfect evening that felt like a true homecoming for all involved! All the kudos to our gracious hosts Hayden and Patrick at who managed the event flawlessly without a hitch. Hearing tracks from ’s new record Wilderness alongside new material from and helped set the stage for what will be an absolutely exciting 2026. Happy New Year and hope to see you all again next December as we carry on with this favorite tradition! 🎊🦅🎊

12/13/2025

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Who attended our very first showcase at the fabled Musiquarium?? It was the only one not held at the . Any favorite memories? We have a few!

We’re excited to reignite this annual tradition, just two doors down from the Capri at ! Join us on 12/27 for some holiday homecoming cheer with , and . Doors at 7pm, $15.

✨🎄🦅✨

(Artwork through the ages by and )

11/26/2025

As we enter the holiday season, we here at Esperanza HQ are extremely thankful for the many experiences and adventures of our first (half-) year back in action, and we’re even more excited for all the possibilities that lie ahead in 2026. To help celebrate and wind down 2025 in style, we’re reviving a former annual tradition that we haven’t conducted in some time (since 2012 to be exact!).

Join us on 12/27 for our 2025 Esperanza Holiday Showcase and hear perform tracks from her latest album Wilderness and witness and debut new material from their forthcoming releases. It’ll be a definite homecoming of sorts as our good friends at host the evening just a few doors down from our longstanding former showcase home, the fabled Capri Theater. We’re looking forward to making merry with familiar faces and new acquaintances alike! Doors are at 7PM, hope to see you there!

✨ 🦅 🎁 ✨

11/23/2025

Relaunching the label this year has led to many “full circle” moments, like spending time in the studio this afternoon with (Jesse Coppenbarger). It was on this exact evening 22 years ago, when Leah and I tied the knot and Jesse stood in front of a crowded candlelit sanctuary, barefoot and in a suit, performing “Be Thou My Vision” in our wedding. Moments like these remind me of why we started this all to begin with, helping bring art into the world and making new family along the way. I’m excited for our next chapter, and for new in 2026! Onward and upward… 🦅

09/25/2025

Alva Leigh - Wilderness (ESP025)

Release date: 9/25/2025

It’s been 4,202 days since our last release, but who’s counting?! Album number TWENTY-FIVE (🎉🎉🎉) is officially out today and we couldn’t be more proud. Alva Leigh’s Wilderness is introspectional, self-professed “mom pop” that has so much to say, and we’re elated to help give it a platform. These songs are deceivingly playful and whimsical on their surface, but are rooted in challenging, very adult themes and experiences as told by a young woman navigating the daunting “wilderness” of motherhood. On first listen, the content resonated deeply with us and we hope you, the listener, enjoy it as much as we do. And to , thanks for putting something so poignant out into the world and for giving us a reason to get off the bench and back in the game!

🏕️🦅🛶

09/19/2025

Happy birthday to our youngest Esperanzette, Adeline Elise Nichols!

Release date: 9/19/2011



🦅👱🏼‍♀️🎸💥

08/15/2025

🚨 The new Esperanza e-store is up and ready for business! 🚨 The pre-order link for Alva Leigh’s Wilderness LP (ESP025) is live! 🚨 Link below! 🚨

https://esperanzarecordings.bigcartel.com/product/alva-leigh-wilderness-lp-pre-order?fbclid=PAZnRzaAMMhxdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp7sS7FDiEytjP7qXgPw6v8Tre6a3g0gRWod6dxOKn_qLzMtbNfFHb-pAe1UY_aem_B2_mPi5LpEGT6s6kBhoL5A

08/11/2025

Johnny Bertam & The Golden Bicycles - Sing Your Song EP (ESP016)

Release date: 8/11/2009

A Boise, ID transplant who moved cross country to Mississippi just two years prior to the release of the Sing Your Song EP, Johnny and crew sonically channel his Pacific NW influences through a Deep South lens that brings an interesting perspective and sound (and sets the stage for his later Esperanza releases) on his debut, Sing Your Song, released on this day in 2009.

Rumor has it new music is out on the horizon! 👀 Keep your eyes peeled here for more news, but for now, let’s venture back to where it all began and give Sing Your Song a spin or stream!

🦅💥

07/24/2025

As we usher in a new age of Esperanza, we felt this was an opportune time for a rebrand of sorts. Say hello to our “new” logo! When we began discussing relaunch, we knew we couldn’t abandon our original logo and identity, but also wanted to integrate our name and the import behind it. Here’s where we landed!

And now, “WHAT’S BEHIND THE NAME/LOGO?” As many may know, “esperanza” is the Spanish word for “hope”, but it’s also the name of the family farm where I spent my formative years. The “E” in our original logo was actually borrowed from the cattle brand that was used back in the farm’s mid-century ranching days (as depicted in action on slide 2). The bow over the “E” further symbolizes that “hope”, always pushing upward. This has been the ethos of Esperanza from Day 1 — to provide an artistic outlet built upon a foundation of hope. We think this new logo helps take it a step further and puts even greater focus on the foundation of “hope” we’re built upon.

As for our trusty old “e-bird”, there’s no sweeping backstory of ornithological origin. I actually found the rough image of the bird carved into a wall, and knew I wanted to incorporate it along with the “E” brand into our original design. I took the two images and concept to good friend and graphic designer (who also designed the new revamp), and the rest is Esperanza history. Many through the years have referred to it as the “Esperanza eagle”, but I’m still uncertain of its genus. Is it a eagle, or a peregrine falcon, or a phoenix rising? We don’t really know; we’re just letting it continue to soar!

Let us know your thoughts on Logo 2.0 and thanks for listening!
🦅✌🏼

07/21/2025

Here’s a peek at the cover art from the upcoming Alva Leigh release, Wilderness! She’s a beaut! Can’t wait to see these out in the wild! 👀

07/18/2025

Allie Peden - With This Love (ESP008)

Release date: 7/18/2006

We’re beyond excited for the upcoming release of the Wilderness LP, but today we’re looking back to her very first album, With This Love, released as Allie Peden on this day in 2006.

She’s covered a lot of ground (and ocean!) in that 19 year span, and it’s been a surreal, full-circle moment getting to work with her again. Help us celebrate where it all began and give With This Love a spin or stream!