Have you heard about Alabama Shakes yet? They are a breakout band fronted by former postal worker Brittany Howard, that is poised to kick some serious ass this year. They got together a few years back, while in high school in Athens, Alabama. Brittany, who had taken up the guitar, reached out to Zac Cockrell ‘cause he played bass. Then they found drummer Steve Johnson, and lead guitarist Heath Fogg joined after that. So cool that the flavors of soul, funk and Southern Rock continue to the bubbling up. There is still so much righteous music emerging from the Mojo Triangle.
Alabama Shakes set out to write original songs while they jammed on others from James Brown, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC, as they were looking for common comfort. And that informs what they do now, but their fusion is unmistakably their own. The plan was to start capturing their music at Brittany’s house, but she lived right next to some railroad tracks making it hard to record there, what with the random rumble of trains. In early 2011 they made their way to a Nashville studio, where they recorded “You Ain’t Alone” and “I Found You.” The band played its first Nashville gig on Record Store Day 2011 at The Groove New & Used Vinyl & CDs in East Nashville to something of a Big Bang. It is just a year later, and their debut album Boys & Girls comes out today. The band is picking up some East Coast dates, and then they head to Europe later this month. Needless to say, ya gotta go see them. Oh yeah, and be prepared to dance!
- Jessie Scott
