The Band of Heathens Country Sides
Two decades in, The Band of Heathens aren’t trying to reinvent their sound so much as polish it. Country Sides finds the Austin-based collective doubling down on the instincts that have quietly sustained them: an unflashy blend of roots-rock, soul, folk, and country that favors feel over spectacle and patience over momentum. This is a band that long ago opted out of the hustle for celebrity, and the album wears that decision like a favorite sweater.
Ed Jurdi, who, along with Gordy Quist, founded the band two decades ago, says, “We’re in a really great space creatively after all these years. The songs reflect both our inner world and the stories living between the lines of our lives.”
Quist adds, “Middle age has brought a new perspective into focus. The passage of time, struggle, relationships, and love have all been themes in our writing for a while, but it’s interesting how they’ve taken another twist as we’ve taken stock of the band’s 20-year journey.”
Tracked at the group’s own studio, Country Sides conveys the loose confidence of musicians who trust each other implicitly. There’s an immediacy to the performances that recalls the band’s early days, but the songs are shaped by years of shared history and sharpened taste. The album doesn’t aim for urgency; instead, it settles into a rhythm where subtlety does the heavy lifting.
The lead single, “High On Our Own Supply,” works less as a statement of purpose than a quiet shrug at expectation. Its easygoing melody and relaxed harmonies reveal Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist’s voices as complementary surfaces rather than competing ones. The song’s charm lies in its refusal to try to explain itself — it feels content simply existing, a perfect example of the band’s usual approach.
Elsewhere, Country Sides extends its colors without straining. “Lead Don’t Follow” leans into warmer, more soulful tones, while “Finish Something I Started” introduces suggestions of capriciousness through falsetto touches and a shifting rhythmic pulse. Not every song carries equal weight — “Forever’s Not a Long Time” is earnest but slight — yet still benefits from the band’s collective intuition.
There’s a wonderful restraint running through the album. “Good As I Can Be” unfolds with hymn-like simplicity, its emotional core emerging through careful phrasing rather than grand gestures. “Take The Cake” dips into a funky realm, highlighted by an electric piano line that’s strangely affecting, yet avoids pointless imitation.
Self-produced with longtime collaborator Jim Vollentine (Spoon, Patty Griffin, White Denim), The Band of Heathens handles everything themselves, from recording to release. That self-sufficiency isn’t a symptom of rebellion so much as habit — a reminder that independence, when practiced long enough, becomes second nature. Country Sides doesn’t argue for the band’s relevance or longevity; it assumes both as a given.
Stability and consistency make the album so good. Country Sides balances awareness and instinct without falling into complacency.
Discover more about The Band of Heathens here.
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Show Review: The Band of Heathens at City Winery NYC
Tour Dates:
Mar 6 Fri – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Mar 12 Thu – El Dorado, AR – First Financial Music Hall at the Murphy Arts District
Mar 13 Fri – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall
Mar 14 Sat – Huntingdon, TN – Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center
Mar 15 Sun – Indianapolis, IN – Turntable
Mar 17 Tue – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
Mar 18 Wed – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s
Mar 19 Thu – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
Mar 20 Fri – Ottawa, KS – Ottawa Municipal Auditorium
Mar 21 Sat – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Apr 10 Fri – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Apr 11 Sat – Walhalla, SC – Wahlalla Performing Arts Center
Apr 12 Sun – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage
Apr 14 Tue – Asheville, NC – Revival Asheville
Apr 15 Wed – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Apr 16 Thu – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
Apr 17 Fri – Isle of Palms, SC – The Wind Jammer
Apr 18 Sat – Pelham, TN – The Caverns #
Apr 19 Sun – Waverly, AL – Standard Deluxe Inc
Apr 21 Tue – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry House
Apr 22 Wed – New Orleans, LA – Chickie Wah Wah
Apr 23 Thu – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
Apr 24 Fri – Houston, TX – Wolfsmith Heights
Apr 25 Sat – Helena, AL – Old Town Live
Jun 13 Sat – Plano, TX – The Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall