Read Southall calls his band’s new self-titled album “the gasoline for the love machine” — 11 raw, loud songs blending country, rock & roll, Red Dirt grit, and hints of metal and soul. It’s the first release under their new name, Southall, marking a shift from a frontman-led project to a true band effort, with every member contributing songs and ideas.
“It’s different people with different influences making music together,” says Southall. “I’ve always believed in these guys, and now fans can hear that too.”
Produced by Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak) and recorded at Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa, the album roars with collaborative energy. Drummer Reid Barber adds metal urgency, bassist Jeremee Knipp grounds it, Braxton Curliss brings texture on keys, and guitarists John Tyler Perry and Ryan Wellman push sonic boundaries — all tied together by Southall’s gritty vocals.
The lead single “Scared Money,” written by Barber, channels Stonesy swagger and blue-collar drive. “I walked out of class, straight to the patch,” Southall sings — a nod to his Oklahoma roots. Tracks like “Out Alive” and “By Surprise” explore modern anxieties and life’s bigger questions with powerful riffs and thoughtful lyrics.
With over 130 million streams and a growing national presence, Southall isn’t just a band — it’s a movement built on hard work, honesty, and the drive to represent where they’re from.
