Band of Heathens Release First Studio Album This Week

After two releases of live performances (at MoMo's and Antone's, respectively), Band of Heathens are hoping their studio performance can live up to their reputation as one of the best live Americana acts in the Lone Star State.

Formed in 2006 thanks to a regular shared bill at MoMo's, the Heathens (then Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist) decided to start a group together which, at the time, was more like a side project than a serious future. Early in 2007, Seth Whitney and drummer John Chipman joined the group and as word of mouth spread, the guys became a ray of light in Austin's dense country scene. In 2007, they were declared Best New Band at the Austin Music Awards, and around that time, the Heathens realized they had something more than a side project on their hands ... they had a real live band.

Perhaps that realization (and subsequent feeling of gratitude and thankfulness to their fans) is part of what drove them to the studio. Though it's their third full length, this self-titled album is their first in a proper studio. It's produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard with special guests Patty Griffin, Gurf Morlix and Stephen Bruton. There's a lot of talk about honkey tonks and whiskey, and the typical Southern Americana wireframe is firmly in place, but the Heathens' youthful spin on the tradition, including their ability to add three part vocal harmonies to rowdy bar brawlin' tunes helps them stand apart. "Jackson Station" is a perfect example of their unique spin on a tried-and-true Texas sound. The album is self-released and available for purchase here.

Band of Heathens Official
MySpace
"Jackson Station" (mp3)

Keep reading for a video interview with the band, including footage of performances and more information about the making of the record.