With summer coming to an end and the temperatures beginning to drop, Alabamians can start preparing for indoor activities. While you are spending time with family or hosting your friends, a good music backdrop is essential. If you’re looking to spice up your playlist, we have gathered three bands that grew up in our beautiful state of Alabama.

Alabama Shakes

The 4-time Grammy winners, Alabama Shakes, first formed when the lead singer Brittany Howard met Zac Cockrell in high school growing up in Athens, Alabama. Later they added their guitarist, Heath Fogg, and drummer, Steve Johnson, forming what we now know as the Alabama Shakes. The band quickly grew traction after recording in Nashville, and their first album “Boys & Girls” reached number six on the charts. They received the Rolling Stone’s best song of the year for the album’s lead single, “Hold On” and three Grammy nominations. In 2015, their second album “Sound & Color” was praised for its experimentalism and was the number one album on the Billboard 200 in the US, winning three Grammy Awards. The Alabama Shakes is known for its beautiful blend of blues and soul, creating a modern notion of the Southern sound. For your playlist, make sure to include “Hold On”, “Sound & Color,” and “Don’t Wanna Fight.” In a recent article, we gave details on Brittany Howard’s recent fall tour announcement.

Jason Isbell

Born in Green Hill, Alabama, Jason Isbell has seen market success with 4 Grammy Awards, 4 Number #1 Albums, and a residence in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Isbell’s life and history is covered in a documentary streaming on HBO Max called “Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed.” Isbell went from playing with the Southern rock band, “Drive by Truckers,” to a not-particularly successful solo career, to running with the “The 400 Unit.” Now, with national acclaim, Isbell is known not only for his songwriting, but his earnest discussions on his life, his wife, and his sobriety. No matter how deep you get into Isbell’s life, you will hear the words of a true Southerner, someone who understands the Alabama experience. Currently, his top songs to add to your playlist are “If We Were Vampires”, “Cover Me Up,” and “Alabama Pines.”

The Brook & The Bluff

If you’re looking for a more indie-alternative type of band, look no further than The Brook & The Bluff. Named after their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, The Brook & The Bluff is a quickly growing band classified as alternative. Despite selling out national headline shows and appearing on stage with friends, Mt. Joy, The Brook & The Bluff seems like a secret wonder only the true fans know about. With a brand-new studio album released September 15th, Bluebeard, and two other albums in their belt, the band has a track record of crafting songs both nostalgic and modern, demonstrated by their branding and songwriting. Lead singer, Joseph Settine’s voice is considerably unique, especially when combined with the lead guitarist Alec Bolton, drummer John Canada, bassist Fred Lankford, and keyboardist Kevin Canada. Join the fan base by listening to “Halfway Up”, “Long Limbs”, and “Misnomer.”

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