Concord Recording Artists Southern Avenue Announce Album Release Show

On their self-titled 2017 debut album, the boundary-breaking Memphis combo Southern Avenue sparked a one-band musical revolution, embodying an effortlessly organic soul/blues/R&B fusion that reflects the band members' diverse roots as well as their deep commitment to their chosen style. On their second album, Keep On, set for release on May 10, 2019 via Concord Records, the dynamic outfit expands its gritty vision to embrace new musical challenges and a more expansive creative vision.

Southern Avenue combines the talents of a prodigiously talented set of young musicians who bring their individual backgrounds and wide-ranging musical interests to the table, carrying the Southern soul legacy into the 21st century while showcasing the powerful chemistry and electrifying live show that they've honed through extensive stage and studio experience. Since their first release, they've played in more than a dozen countries, wowing audiences at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Firefly, Electric Forest and Lockn'.

Guitar prodigy Ori Naftaly originally built his reputation in his native Israel before joining forces with deeply expressive Memphis-bred singer Tierinii Jackson and her subtly powerful drummer sister Tikyra Jackson. The band's lineup is rounded out by versatile keyboardist Jeremy Powell, an early alumnus of Stax Records' renowned music academy.

Keep On brilliantly captures Southern Avenue's combustible chemistry, with the emotion-charged energy of such distinctive originals as "Whiskey Love," "Savior," "Too Good for You," and //"We Are Not So Different" reflecting the players' evolving talents as well as the influence of the extensive roadwork that they've invested in the band. The album was recorded with producer Johnny Black (Jessie J, Daughtry, Estelle) at Memphis' legendary Sam Phillips Recording, and includes guest appearances by seminal Stax Records artist William Bell, noted Memphis musician Gage Markey (who serves as guest bassist on most of the album) and a horn section comprised of Art Edmaiston (JJ Grey & Mofro, Gregg Allman) and Marc Franklin (The Bo-Keys, Gregg Allman).

With regards to the debut album, critics were impressed. "Southern Avenue's modern sound melds gospel-infused R&B with a rootsy rock feel," noted Mix. Relix praised "a deeply soulful Memphis band that's turning the scene on its head," while Goldmine called their music "a frothy Memphis soul stew fit to twitch your body to in ways you didn't think you could." The Chicago Reader dubbed their first album "a boiling retro-soul primer," adding, "Tierinii has a riveting stage presence. They do the Stax legacy proud." No Depressioncommented that it's "easy to imagine Southern Avenue as a house band in their native Memphis or Muscle Shoals in the glory days of the '60s, sent back to the future to save us from inauthenticity and our collective hurt."

"Making this album was an interesting journey," Ori says of Keep On. "Our first album was recorded very fast and released very fast. With this one, we spent a long time planning, and we knew how we wanted it sound. For me, it's a big progression from the first album." "The experience was completely different from making the first one," adds Tierinii. "We learned a lot about each other and a lot about the band."

"I'm proud that we don't sound like anyone else," Ori asserts. "We've been all over the world, from Australia to Poland to Norway to Spain to Canada to Mexico. Those experiences, and all the highs and lows, it's all reflected in the music. I've waited all my life to be in a band like this, and it's amazing to me that I get to play with these people every night."

Don't miss your chance to catch this dynamic live act live at the Brooklyn Bowl on May 7. Additional tour dates at https://www.southernavenuemusic.com/tour

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