If you’re into Southern flavoured country rock featuring well constructed songs played with passion, then Nashville-based band The Vegabonds might very well become your next favourite band … and their new album Sinners and Saints, set for release on September 24, 2021 through Blue Élan Records could be the catalyst. Fans of Tom Petty, Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Real or Atlanta Rhythm Section will find kinship with this band of talented musicians, who have travelled more than 400,000 tour miles so far in their ten year history, building on an ever-growing fanbase.
Ahead of the release of their new album, Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips spoke to The Vegabonds front man, Danny Allen about the band’s career, gear and the new record Sinners and Saints.
The Alabama-born, Tennessee-bred Southern rock band, The Vegabonds got their start in Alabama, after meeting while attending Auburn University in 2009 and playing the college circuit across the Southeastern United States. Their popularity quickly burgeoned to the point where they found their fans singing along word-for-word to their first hits like “Georgia Fire” and “Shaky Hands.” From Ole Miss to South Carolina, students buzzed about The Vegabonds authentic sound and their seemingly effortless ability to bring the house down. Through word of mouth, the group’s fan base rapidly grew, and the guys learned they had something distinctive with their eclectic mix of Southern Rock, Country, and earnest songwriting. Their DIY efforts delivered three full-length albums and an EP before partnering with Blue Élan Records.
It was in May of last year that The Vegabonds recorded their last new music, a live EP, recorded during the first full-band live stream to take place during lockdown. After a two-month quarantine, this was the first time the quintet was able to play together, making it the longest span of time the band had gone in a decade, without playing a show or even being in the same room together. The result, The Vegabonds Live from West End Sound, was released this past March. Their last studio album, V, was released in early 2019 to much critical acclaim with Popmatters declaring, “…the album fires on all cylinders with a combustible combination of tub-thumpin’ alt-country, searing rock riffs and robust but heartfelt lyrics that will help ease the pain.” While The Deli Nashville said of the new music, “…Fans of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, the Allman Brothers, or Springsteen will rave about V…”
Now with Sinners and Saints, their most accomplished album to date, The Vegabonds are set to take on the world
THE VEGABONDS are Daniel Allen (Lead vocals/songwriter), Richard Forehand (Lead guitars/vocals), Paul Bruen (bass), Beau Cooper (keyboards/vocals/songwriter) and Bryan Harris (drums)
Check out this live show from The Vegabonds from August 2020.