ALAN G. returns with his 7th album release, EXILE. In Alan’s unique song-cycle style, EXILE tells the continuing story of Billy, a gay teen who has grown up in the southern U.S. Having endured discrimination and hatred in his hometown, Billy runs away - and heads to the big city in the hopes of something better. “I wanted the stories of young LGBT people to have a voice,” says Alan. “The character of ‘Billy’ hopefully honors their experiences, their struggles, and their strength… While the fight for LGBT civil rights has made tremendous progress recently, the plight of LGBT youth is still very serious - and particularly for those who are homeless.” Billy’s story begins in the upcoming country album “The Legend of Little Bro Billy” - illustrating his growing up in the south. “It was very appropriate that Billy’s story began in that album - and was told in the country genre”, continues Alan. “But as he runs away from home - when the album EXILE begins - the genre changes to pop-rock. All the danger and urgency of rock music help show his journey as he lives in the streets. It also allowed me to explore more adventurous rock sounds and more difficult themes in my own music.” EXILE opens with “GOODBYE”, in which Billy leaves his old life behind. And as his journey begins, he finds the strength to be himself (“I WILL STAND WITHOUT YOU”), falls hopelessly in love (“THE BOY WITH THE BOOTS ON”), and comes to terms with being a teenage dreamer who still wants something good from life (“ROLL THE DICE”). But the troubles that Billy left behind in his hometown have not disappeared. Billy encounters again the discrimination brought on by religion - and finds the courage to respond to its hypocrisy in “CRUCIFIED”. He also bonds with other runaways (“RUNAWAYS IN LOVE”), reflects on the urgency and immediacy of life (“TIME’S UP”) - and even faces his darkest moment “(ONE MORE NIGHT”). “It is still so alarming and saddening to see how many young LGBT kids are taking their lives,” explains Alan. “The song ‘One More Night’ hopefully is a reminder that they are not alone. And if you can hang on a little longer, you can find the light again.” Billy is ultimately an optimist in very difficult circumstances. As EXILE ends, we hear his anthem “UNAFRAID”. Alan explains, “Billy knows that there are so many like him. He calls out to them in the closing strains of this album - asking them what it would be like to be brave… to perhaps come out, to live the life they had dreamed, to stand strong against those who would stand in their way.” In Alan’s 7th album, he has also found his voice as an openly-gay artist. “It was so important to me - and so liberating - to finally speak to these experiences directly in my music… and to sing these songs with my own voice - loud… and proud… And I hope the messages in this album speak to those LGBT young people - and all those who are exiled and marginalized in some way by the world. I want them to remember that they are not alone…” Billy is a hero for this generation. But unfortunately, his experience as a runaway is still different from what most runaways face - many of whom do not find their way to a safe place to reestablish their lives. “There is so much work to be done,” continues Alan. “And the truth is that LGBT homeless youth have lives that are frightening and dangerous. My hope is that the stories of Billy will remind us of our responsibility to those in need - and that we can each do something to help those who struggle and live in the margins of our society…. They deserve hope. They deserve a life… They deserve the chance to come out of Exile…” ALAN G’s new album, EXILE - Available now!