Featured last month in the latest version of Birmingham, Alabama’s B-Metro, St. Paul and the Broken Bones are a new band from Birmingham who have recently caught our attention with their song ‘Broken Bones and Pocket Change,’ the only recorded track to emerge from the band’s debut EP, that reportedly should be out November 18th.
Packed full of soul with that hint of Southern charm and horn section highlights, we were sold from first listen. Add the live amateur YouTube video we stumbled across, and we see nothing but potential. Keep an eye out on these fellas and stream/download their debut track ‘Broken Bones and Pocket Change’ below (compliments of B-Metro):
We were recently introduced to the upcoming LP from Muscle Shoals, Alabama band The Pollies, whose debut full-length ‘Where The Lies Begin’ drops October 2nd via This Is American Music. And since our first spin of the record (well… digital album), it instantly joined our high rotation list and has us hungry for more, especially live!
The LP’s first single is called ‘Something New’ which is available FREE download below and is also accompanied by a video the was shot and directed by Corey Hannah of the Live From The Shoals sessions… Listen, download, etc, and you’ll know what we’re talking about. Also catch The Pollies somewhere around the South… their current upcoming shows are listed below:
Upcoming Shows:
9/27 – The Ivy in Atlanta, GA
9/28 – Alabama Music Box in Mobile, AL
9/29 – Proud Larry’s in Oxford, MS w/ Cory Brannan
10/6 – Blue Canoe in Tupelo, MS
10/26 – Green Bar in Tuscaloosa, AL w/ Doc Dailey & Magnolia Devil
11/9 – UGA/Auburn pre-game showcase @ The Bloodhound in Auburn, AL w/ The District Attorneys and Grass Giraffes
11/23 – Black Friday show in Florence, AL
Some more Joshua Shoemaker directed videos premiered on American Songwriter today, this time featuring 2 songs from one of our favorite live bands from the South, Birmingham, Alabama’s Banditos! Both songs, ‘Long Gone Away’ and ‘No Good,’ come from the band’s new EP that just dropped this week.
We can’t stress enough how much we love these guys live and these videos definitely reflect them at their best… not to mention, both were shot in the Alabama woods (aka, Banditos’ back yard), showing us even more how Shoemaker is becoming one of the best in documenting bands live and perfecting live recorded sounds in your not-so-typical settings.
Check’em both out below and while ‘yer at it, steam/download Banditos’ new EP, available now:
We were very pleased to discover that Alabama boys Colossal Gospel recently signed to Autumn Tone Records and re-released their 2011 do-it-yourself full-length ‘Circles’ last month, joining a roster that features such artists as J. Tillman and Futurebirds… This is one hell of an album which made it to our ‘Top 20 Albums of 2011’ so we are excited to see that it’s getting into a proper distribution… but the only bad news, which is unfortunate for us vinyl junkies, we’ll still have to wait a bit longer for this sucker to get pressed on wax with only CDs available right now.
So encase you missed our ‘Get To Know: Colossal Gospel’ piece last year, well, get to know them for real this time… Stream a few tracks from the ‘Circles’ LP below and if you dig what-cha hear, pick up a copy HERE via Autumn Tone:
A HUGE congratulations toAlabama Shakes who are set to release their debut full-length LP,’Boys & Girls’, on April 9th via ATO Records!
On top of that, the band will also make their television debutFebruary 7 on Conan!!! And will also appear on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic on and their World Cafe session will air on NPR on January 26.
Track listing and tour dates are below along with the album cover art and an embedded stream of ‘Hold On.’
And check out the LP’s title-track below recorded at WNRN in Charlottesville, Virgina:
Boys & Girls Tracklisting:
Hold On
I Found You
Hang Loose
Rise To The Sun
You Ain’t Alone
Goin’ To The Party
Heartbreaker
Boys & Girls
Be Mine
I Ain’t The Same
On Your Way
Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/19 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jacks
1/20 Houston, TX Continental Club w/Nick Gaitan & The Umbrella Man
1/21 Austin, TX Continental Club w/Mudflap SOLD OUT
1/24 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up w/Terraplane Sun
1/25 West Hollywood, CA The Troubadour w/Dry The River SOLD OUT
1/26 San Francisco, CA The Independent w/Dry The River SOLD OUT
1/28 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge w/Quiet Life SOLD OUT
1/29 Vancouver, BC The Media Club w/Quiet Life SOLD OUT
1/31 Seattle, WA Crocodile Club w/Quiet Life
2/2 Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
2/4 Boulder, CO Fox Theater w/A. Tom Collins
2/22 London, UK Boston Arms SOLD OUT
2/23 London, UK Boston Arms SOLD OUT
2/24 London, UK Boston Arms
3/10 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
3/23 Tuscaloosa, AL Bama Theater
3/29 Oxford, MS Proud Larry’s
3/31 Birmingham, AL Work Play Theatre
Alabama Shakes are coming back to Chattanooga this Saturday, October 15th, but this time dropping by JJ’s Bohemia… and we had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing lead singer Brittany Howard about their debut EP, the band’s future and more:
Alabama Shakes finished a brief tour opening for Drive-By Truckers last month, which stopped by Track 29 here in Chattanooga… From where the band was at this time last Fall, when known as just The Shakes, 2011 has been quite the break-out year! How have the past few months of increased acknowledgment and appreciation been treating you and the band?
“Let me say first and foremost, I am humbled by how people are responding to our music. I love you folks, too. You get it, which in a by-and-by way, means you get us as people. That’s pretty awesome and I wanna say thank you…
The past few months have been adventurous to say the least. We’ve gotten a lot of welcomed attention and we now have a lot of important decisions to make… I think that all of this may be a wonderful dream with everybody I know walking around in it. We’ve been writing songs and we’ve been anticipating coming to your towns and sharing them with you. It’s what we’ve always done, but now — people are coming out to hear them — and they know the words. Feels good. It’s encouraging.”
[Video: ‘You Ain’t Alone’ filmed at Track 29, Chattanooga, TN]
We’ve noticed on Alabama Shakes’ Facebook page, the band has traveled to New York City, Los Angeles and have been recent Nashville regulars, even playing a gig at Jack White’s Third Man Records. There is also a picture posted that features bassist Zac Cockrell wearing a Fat Possum Burnside Style hat. [see pic below] Smells like a record deal is in the work to us… Would you like to elaborate? And if so, any idea of when we should expect the first full-length?
“Well, the way I see it, if you wanna share something with everyone you’re going to need help reaching those people. We’re looking for the best partners to help us do this. I’ll tell you this much, we’ve been eating good.
I would compare our first full length to a woman who is 10 months pregnant: Our baby is huge and fully formed , but it’s just not ready to come out yet…. could be any time… and you’ll definitely know about it.”
The band just dropped their debut EP last month featuring 4 jaw-dropping tracks that were recorded at Bomb Shelter Studios in Nashville earlier this year. Will we be hearing any more recordings from these sessions in the near future?
“We decided to put out this four song EP when we realized people were wanting this music. The true design of these sessions was to have something to show for ourselves. Those few tracks are just a taste of what this album is going to be like. Keep an eye on Third Man for a 7-inch surprise!”
One of many things we love about Alabama Shakes is the energy that is felt between the 4 of you during a live show. You can tell every single member has such a strong association and role in the band, something you don’t see very often. Could you please give us an interpretation of the creative inspiration and band-enthusiasm that your fans observe and receive during these live performances?
“I can’t speak for everyone on this, but I’ll tell you about myself: When I get to play with Zac, Heath and Steve, I feel invincible. I love them as musicians and I love them as people. It’s like, I get to sing into this microphone about whatever I want and I got a 42 decibel rock ‘n roll band that’s gonna give me courage and back me up on it. I feel free and easy. I don’t care what someone is thinking, I forget if I’m hurting, I’m not worrying about bad news, and I don’t care for that little while about those bills I have to pay back at home. I’m just reveling in my own world.
So, I guess what they’re witnessing is us all thriving in our own little space — we just happen to be on the same page.”
Chattanooga was fortunate enough to get a taste of the Alabama Shakes at Track 29 and we are flattered that you are performing once again in Chattanooga, but at a smaller venue, JJs Bohemia. What do the Alabama Shakes expect from Chattanooga this Saturday, and is there anything else you’d like your fans to know?
“Wear your dancing shoes.
Bring a sweat rag.
Leave your fear.
It’s gonna be a different kind of night…”
——
Alabama Shakes debut self-titled EP is out now! Download a copy HERE or pick-up a physical copy in-person this Saturday (10/15) at JJ’s Bohemia… and we are giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader for that show! Click here to enter!
This Saturday, October 15, Alabama Shakes return to Chattanooga! This just after dropping by Track 29 with Drive-By Truckers last month… and we have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader for the show featuring headliners Alabama Shakes along with 2 local-Chattanooga bands, Bohannons and Cadillac Saints!
TO ENTER: Just email us at thesouthrail@gmail.com with the subject ‘ALABAMA SHAKES’ along with your full name in the message… and that’s it, you’re entered! We will select one lucky reader at noon Saturday October 15th (the day of the show). So if you do enter, please make sure to check out your email before-hand around that time. See below for official rules and GOOD LUCK!
Contest Rules: Contest ends Saturday, 10/15/11 at 12:00pm. One winner will be selected randomly and notified via email on Saturday afternoon (the day of the show). The winner’s name (+ guest) will be at the the door the night of the show. There are no actual tickets, just admission.
A lot of great music has been birthing from Alabama the past year. Here’s yet another band to add to this growing list. Last week we were introduced to Belle Adair, a 5-piece from Muscle Shoals, Alabama who are preparing to re-release their previously self-released, self-titled EP via Speak/Sing Records October 1st. The band is currently recording their debut full-length due next year… Stream the full LP below, and just name your price to download the tracks. Recommended: ‘Happy to Pretend,’ ‘No Reply,’ and ‘STN’… enjoy!
Featured last month in the latest version of Birmingham, Alabama’s B-Metro, St. Paul and the Broken Bones are a new band from Birmingham who have recently caught our attention with their song ‘Broken Bones and Pocket Change,’ the only recorded track to emerge from the band’s debut EP, that reportedly should be out November 18th.
