News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

ALABAMA SHAKES


BIO:
The story of the Alabama Shakes begins in a high school psychology class in Athens, Alabama. Brittany Howard, who had started playing guitar a few years earlier, approached Zac Cockrell and asked if he wanted to try making music together. “I just knew that he played bass and that he wore shirts with cool bands on them that nobody had heard of,” says Howard. They started to meet up after school and write songs sitting on Howard’s floor. “It had that rootsy feel, but there was some out-there stuff,” says Cockrell. “David Bowie-style things, prog-rock, lots of different stuff. We started to come across our own sound a little bit, though it’s evolved a lot since then.” Steve Johnson worked at the only music store in town, and Howard knew he played the drums. She invited him to a party where, she says, “he met everybody from our side of the tracks.” The three young musicians began working together, further expanding their style and approach. “Steve is kind of a punk-metal drummer,” says Howard, “so we embraced that edge he brings to everything he does.” The trio soon went into a studio in Decatur to record some of the songs they were working up, and this proto-demo found its way into the hands of Heath Fogg, with whom Howard had been familiar because he had been the lead guitarist in what she describes as “the best band in our high school.” Fogg, who by now had graduated from college, asked them to open a show for his band, which they agreed to do—on the condition that he play with them. The response was immediate: “That first show was really explosive,” says Howard.” Though they had been focusing on original material (“It’s just more fun to write than to learn someone else’s music,” says Cockrell), as the band—newly christened the Shakes—began playing out, they added more cover songs. They played classics by James Brown and Otis Redding, but also by Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. “We had to find music we could all agree on and figure out how to play together,” says Howard, “and that had a lot of influence on how we play now.” Attempting to record their songs with the honest sonic qualities they cherished, the Shakes bought a few microphones and a vintage Teac mixing board and set up in Howard’s house—which didn’t work, since she lived right next to some railroad tracks. They eventually found their way to a Nashville studio in early 2011, where the songs they cut included “You Ain’t Alone” and “I Found You.” When they appeared at a Nashville record store, people started to take notice of the group’s relentless, hard-charging live attack, and Howard’s magnetic stage presence. One especially ardent fan raved about the band to his friends, which included Justin Gage, the founder of the Aquarium Drunkard blog. Gage wrote to Howard, asking if he could post one of the Shakes’ songs. She sent back the yearning, intense “You Ain’t Alone,” which he put up in late July, calling it “a slice of the real.” And, literally overnight, all hell broke loose.

Latest Articles


Maggie Rose to Release New Studio Album 'No One Gets Out Alive' in April Photo Maggie Rose to Release New Studio Album 'No One Gets Out Alive' in April
by Michael Major - March 01, 2024

“Mad Love” co-written by Rose, Jordan Leigh Meredith (Sad Penny) and K.S. Rhoads spotlights Maggie's spell-binding vibrato. The torchy showstopper features Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit member Sadler Vaden on guitar, playing echo-drenched spaghetti western licks, along with haunting guest vocals by ...

Cool Is Forever LLC Launches 'Fast Start' Marketing Initiative Photo Cool Is Forever LLC Launches 'Fast Start' Marketing Initiative
by Michael Major - February 13, 2024

Former Sony Distribution and Label President Bob Morelli launches a one-month crash course for developing artists, offering strategic sales and marketing services. The program includes sales/marketing planning, social media best practices, advertising plans, distribution options, industry connection...

Bowen Yang & Christian Lee Hutson Join 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert Lin Photo Bowen Yang & Christian Lee Hutson Join 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert Lineup
by Michael Major - January 26, 2024

Previously announced performers include: Laurie Anderson, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Maya Hawke, Gogol Bordello, The Philip Glass Ensemble, Tenzin Choegyal, Scorchio Quartet and more to be announced. Uma Thurman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Arden Wohl and Jonah Freeman will serve as the eveni...

Chicano Batman Announce New Album 'Notebook Fantasy' With New Single 'Fly' Photo Chicano Batman Announce New Album 'Notebook Fantasy' With New Single 'Fly'
by Michael Major - January 23, 2024

Throughout the album, produced by GRAMMY Award winner John Congleton (Erykah Badu, Death Cab For Cutie, St. Vincent), the musicians lace gritty soul with arena-size ambition projected out loud through artful electric guitar, unshakable grooves, and entrancing earworm melodies. Watch the music video!...

Americana Duo The Glass Hours to Release New Album in March Photo Americana Duo The Glass Hours to Release New Album in March
by Michael Major - January 18, 2024

The Glass Hours will release self-titled studio album. Their self-titled nine-song debut album will be released by Cornelius Chapel Records in early 2024. With the exception of Sue Westcott on fiddle (Chet Atkins, Tom Jones), the album was written, performed, recorded and produced by Brad and Megan ...

Americana Duo The Glass Hours Share New Single From Their Debut LP Photo Americana Duo The Glass Hours Share New Single From Their Debut LP
by Michael Major - December 13, 2023

The Glass Hours are American songwriters Brad Armstrong and Megan Barbera. Their music blurs between Sunday afternoon country-folk and the golden age of the 1970s. With the exception of Sue Westcott on fiddle (Chet Atkins, Tom Jones), the album was written, performed, recorded and produced by Brad a...

Video: The Americans Debut Music Video On LA Homeless 'Land Of The Free' Photo Video: The Americans Debut Music Video On LA Homeless 'Land Of The Free'
by Michael Major - November 09, 2023

Watch the powerful music video 'Land of the Free' by The Americans, shedding light on homelessness in LA. With haunting melodies and poignant imagery, this video captures the harsh realities of life without a stable home. The video is a powerful and poignant piece that sheds light on the issue of ho...

Mermaid Unveil Intimate Single 'On A Cloud' Photo Mermaid Unveil Intimate Single 'On A Cloud'
by Michael Major - September 28, 2023

Even the greatest skeptic will believe in soulmates upon hearing Brittany Campbell and Candace Quarrels’ story. After individually winding their way through the worlds of theater and Broadway, appearing in major shows such as A Christmas Carol and The Book Of Mormon, the duo met while starring in th...

Video: Jeremie Albino Releases 'Tears You Hide' Short Film Photo Video: Jeremie Albino Releases 'Tears You Hide' Short Film
by Michael Major - June 26, 2023

On the heels of the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore album, Tears You Hide, buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino has launched a short video film to accompany the collection. The visual features five stunning songs from the album (“You I’m Waiting On,” “Dance With Me,” “Angelin...

Video: Jeremie Albino Releases Rollicking Live Performance of 'Angeline' Photo Video: Jeremie Albino Releases Rollicking Live Performance of 'Angeline'
by Michael Major - June 15, 2023

Tears You Hide, buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino has launched another high-octane live performance video with his band, The Rosehall Band, for new single “Angeline.” The video, shot and directed by longtime creative partner and collaborator Mark Klassen, transports viewers back in time...

Blake Mills to Debut New Album 'Jelly Road' in July & Drop 'Skeleton Key' Photo Blake Mills to Debut New Album 'Jelly Road' in July & Drop 'Skeleton Key'
by Michael Major - June 01, 2023

Blake Mills’ new album Jelly Road, co-written with Chris Weisman is out in July. Mills learned of Weisman through a friend while making the critically acclaimed album Notes With Attachments with bassist Pino Palladino. A reclusive songwriter, jazz musician and conceptual artist, Weisman has released...

Jeremie Albino Announces Fall U.S. Tour Dates Photo Jeremie Albino Announces Fall U.S. Tour Dates
by Michael Major - May 30, 2023

Ahead of the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Tears You Hide, buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino has announced a Fall U.S. Headline Tour. The series of dates kicks off October 10 in Boston and will make stops in New York City, DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville, Atlan...

Phish's Mike Gordon Releases New Solo Album Photo Phish's Mike Gordon Releases New Solo Album
by Michael Major - May 12, 2023

Mike Gordon has released his new album. Flying Games (ATO Records/Megaplum) is Gordon's sixth solo album. It was self-produced and recorded by longtime collaborator Jared Slomoff, and mixed by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs). Plus, check out tour dates...

Blake Mills to Be Joined By Chris Weisman on West Coast Summer Tour Dates Photo Blake Mills to Be Joined By Chris Weisman on West Coast Summer Tour Dates
by Michael Major - May 03, 2023

This June, Grammy-winning producer, composer, guitarist and songwriter Blake Mills is playing a run of shows around his performance with Joni Mitchell at Washington’s The Gorge Amphitheater. Joining him will be frequent musical collaborator Chris Weisman. The duo will kick off performances in select...

Jeremie Albino Announces 'Tears You Hide' Album Photo Jeremie Albino Announces 'Tears You Hide' Album
by Michael Major - April 20, 2023

Buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino is back with the announcement of his highly anticipated sophomore studio album, Tears You Hide, alongside a new single with a palpable raw energy and a rickety foot stomping beat that we promise you will want to push play on over and over again....

Phish's Mike Gordon Shares New Song 'Mull' Photo Phish's Mike Gordon Shares New Song 'Mull'
by Michael Major - April 11, 2023

Mike Gordon has shared a new song, 'Mull,' from his upcoming sixth solo album, Flying Games. 'Mull' is streaming now at all DSPs. Flying Games was produced by Gordon, recorded by longtime collaborator Jared Slomoff, and mixed by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War o...

Mike Gordon Announces New Album & Shares First Song Photo Mike Gordon Announces New Album & Shares First Song
by Michael Major - March 14, 2023

Produced by Gordon, recorded by longtime collaborator Jared Slomoff, and mixed by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs), Flying Games is heralded by the premiere of the high velocity new single, “Tilting,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services....

Australian Singer-Songwriter Shayne Cook Releases Top 25 iTunes Single “Miles Away” Photo Australian Singer-Songwriter Shayne Cook Releases Top 25 iTunes Single “Miles Away”
by A.A. Cristi - March 02, 2023

Shayne Cook is a genre-bending artist traversing many an era of sounds to create magical listener experiences. His latest single is 'Miles Away,' has already received critical acclaim across the board, both from listeners and musical industry peers. The new song introduces an acoustic folk-rock pop ...

Rayland Baxter Announces 2023 Spring Tour Photo Rayland Baxter Announces 2023 Spring Tour
by Michael Major - December 14, 2022

Rayland Baxter announces his Spring Tour in celebration of his recently released and highly received album, If I Were A Butterfly, released on ATO Records. His tour will kick off with a show in Aspen, Colorado on 3/21 and will include stops in Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and a final...

Spotify Releases New Live at Electric Lady EP From Perfume Genius Photo Spotify Releases New Live at Electric Lady EP From Perfume Genius
by Michael Major - November 10, 2022

Spotify and Electric Lady Studios will release a new EP from their slate of Live at Electric Lady recordings. Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) is the latest featured act in the series, releasing a four-track EP with re-imagined versions of hits including, “Whole Life,” “Photograph,” “On the Floor,” and...

Rayland Baxter Shares New Single 'My Argentina' Photo Rayland Baxter Shares New Single 'My Argentina'
by Michael Major - November 01, 2022

Ahead of this week’s release he shares the single “My Argentina,” a stripped down piano ballad that centers around the grief and loss he’s processing on the record. Now he also shares the live performance companion video featuring a somber and gorgeous rendition of the song with Baxter, a piano and ...

The Jorgensens Will Release 'Americana Soul' Album Photo The Jorgensens Will Release 'Americana Soul' Album
by Michael Major - October 26, 2022

Specializing in an honest, authentic style of roots rock/AAA/Americana-steeped sound, The Jorgensens’ have earned a loyal fanbase and press adulation for their signature steel-sharp musicianship, honey-soaked harmonizations, and relatable lyrics, which have drawn comparisons to Delaney and Bonnie an...

Alabama Shakes to Release 'Boys & Girls' 10th Anniversary Edition Photo Alabama Shakes to Release 'Boys & Girls' 10th Anniversary Edition
by Michael Major - October 26, 2022

Hailed as one of the best albums of 2012 by Rolling Stone and numerous other publications, Boys & Girls entered Billboard’s Independent Albums chart at No. 1. It went on to attain Platinum certification and earn the band multiple GRAMMY nominations. Lead single “Hold On' was voted the #1 Best Song o...

Rayland Baxter Shares New Single for 'Rubberband Man' Photo Rayland Baxter Shares New Single for 'Rubberband Man'
by Michael Major - October 05, 2022

Rayland Baxter has released his new single “Rubberband Man,” off his forthcoming album, If I Were A Butterfly out November 4th on ATO. The track is an ode to Thunder Sound, where Baxter recorded the majority of his new album. Originally a rubber band factory, the Kentucky recording studio still has ...

Marcus Mumford Releases Debut Solo Album Photo Marcus Mumford Releases Debut Solo Album
by Michael Major - September 16, 2022

Produced by Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes, Perfume Genius, Laura Marling) and recorded mainly at Sound City in Los Angeles, (self-titled) finds him collaborating with vocalists and/or co-writers such as Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Monica Martin and Julia Michaels....











Videos


Recommended For You