On debut launch, NC nation artist conjures southern rock magic alongside Nashville’s hottest rising rock band

Drummer turned nation artist, Jakeb Reel launched ‘(Ballad Of The) Free Hen’ on July 1, 2023. It’s the first single from his self-titled debut EP, set to be launched later this 12 months. Becoming a member of him on the observe is A Tribe of Horsman, the Nashville by means of Tulsa exhausting rock band on the cusp of releasing their sophomore studio album. The band is fronted by Tulsa native, Dhalton Horsman. Though it could appear to be an unlikely pairing, the 2 camps have managed to create an thrilling sound that stands out even among the many most hip and present noisy developments in Nashville.

“I used to be thrilled they have been so keen to collaborate with me and I knew as quickly as I heard the primary notes hit within the studio that it was going to be one thing contemporary,” Reel stated. “In fact it was destined to be — Tribe’s sound is exceptional, huge. It hits you want an elephant.” Horsman and Reel have been buddies for the reason that two met whereas taking part in in the identical backing band for one more Nashville artist a while in the past. Horsman’s Tribe has been working diligently within the studio whereas additionally selling their newest launch ‘Stay on the 5 Spot.’

“Dhalton, Sam, Teddy and Ben have all turn into very pricey buddies of mine. They’re among the few folks I belief probably the most in Nashville and I really like their sound and imaginative and prescient,” Reel stated. “They’re little question the toughest working band I’ve seen in a very long time.”

‘(Ballad Of The) Free Hen,’ hearkens again to an old-fashioned sound; drawing from the influences of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet morphed with a contemporary honky tonk twang and swagger. It’s keystones embody the timeless laid again Tulsa sound, brilliant nation pedal metal, and exhausting and heavy guitar solos; all of it flows collectively as a becoming backdrop for Reel’s lonesome baritone voice which rolls over all of it just like the thunder within the valleys of his house within the mountains of Western North Carolina.

The tune was recorded over the past months of 2022 and is produced by Russ T. Nutz, a “raunchy tonk” singer in his personal proper and a very long time staple of the underground nation music scene. Russ T. Nutz (aka Russell Anders) has labored as an engineer on a number of albums together with Tellico’s Dehlia Low (2009), City Mountain’s Regular Operator (2011) and The Huge Ol’ Nasty Getdown Volumes 1 and a pair of. He at present works on the highway as audio engineer for the Artimus Pyle Band.

“We have been in the course of mixing the tune after we heard Gary Rossington had handed away,” Reel stated. “So clearly we needed to do one thing that may pay tribute to him and actually honor all the parents who we’ve misplaced not too long ago which have contributed a lot to our craft. You realize, I hear people say ‘no one makes actual nation music anymore’ or ‘oh no one is on the market doing it like they did again then,’ we completely are. We’re out right here making probably the most out of whats left of the music business and I can present you an entire roster of artists you ain’t listening to however ought to be; we’re out right here. You simply ain’t wanting in the precise hollar.”

Reel wrote the tune just a few years in the past with a childhood pal he grew up taking part in music with. “We have been jamming and tossing just a few concepts round and he handed me a sheet of lyrics; I took them house, reworked them, lower a demo and that was in all probability about 6 yeas in the past,” Reel stated. After his pricey pal and co-writer was identified with a uncommon type or lymphoma, he determined to incorporate it on his debut document. “We sat down and obtained him arrange with BMI so though he’s combating this terrible factor, that is the 12 months he additionally turned a songwriter and obtained his first co-write below his belt,” Reel stated. “Even when the tune doesn’t go anyplace, there have been so many proficient folks concerned and everybody has given their very best to make this factor particular…he hasn’t been in a position to work like regular and so they have two youngsters to feed so the potential to assist considered one of my buddies, my household has actually pushed me to get this document out.” Buddies in low locations, proper?

Hearken to ‘(Ballad Of The) Free Hen’ on YouTube and Spotify

Discover ‘Stay on the 5 Spot,’ the most recent launch from A Tribe of Horsman here.