Alabama Shakes are having their moment in the sun, one that looks to continue for a good long while, thankfully. Their tale begins in an Athens, Alabama high school when now-vocalist Brittany Howard approached Zac Cockrell, now bassist for the band. They discovered their common tastes, and the two started writing songs together, before long adding guitarist Heath Fogg and drummer Steve Johnson to their line up and forming Alabama Shakes. Having decided on a rock theme inspired by hints of roots rock, soul and country music, the group began playing showcases to great success and was soon signed by ATO Records. They released their first, self-titled EP in September 2011 and Alabama Shakes’ first full length LP, Boys & Girls will drop on April 10th, though the album has been available exclusively on iTunes since April 3rd.
It seems media outlets all over the world have caught on to the band’s appeal. This past week, NPR has been streaming Boys & Girls, and iTunes has made single “Hold On” their free single of the week. Next week MTV’s PUSH will feature Alabama Shakes as their “Artist of the Week”, and Starbucks will feature single “You Ain’t Alone” as their “pick of the week” starting April 17th. Below, check out the video for single “Hold On”, which Entertainment Weekly lauded as “a familiar, lived-in classic, overflowing with bluesy charisma and froggy bass tones”. The video for the single is directed by the due of Stephen Shirk and Chris Hershman. The band began their national tour on April 5th, and will continue to travel the country with Lee Gaines and the Glory Fires through to the summer.
Enjoy the video for “Hold On” below, and look for the full album Boys & Girls on April 10th. Also look out for Alabama Shakes’ appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on April 12th.