Bound South Gear Up For the Release of Their Second Studio Album

Alabama-based rock band Bound South is preparing to release their second full-length record, Murder River. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Zak, rhythm guitarist Matt, bassist/vocalist Eri, lead guitarist/pianist Caleb, and drummer JW, this five-piece not only pays homage to, but also highlights, their Southern roots.

Bound South’s beginnings go back to 2022, when Zak stumbled across a Facebook post from a drummer – JW – looking to form a band. Zak and JW soon found that they clicked, so they started practicing with the intent of writing music and playing shows. They had other members here and there, but they needed musicians who were as dedicated as them, who, in Zak’s own words, wanted to “grow together as a band, brand, and business.”

In 2024, Zak went to an open mic night and that’s where he met Eri. She was playing guitar at the time, but they quickly discovered there was more to her. “She’s a fierce singer/songwriter,” says Zak. Bound South was short a solid bassist, so they asked Eri, and she rose magnificently to the occasion, now playing the role of bassist, co-writer, and co-singer.

With Eri in place, the band started putting together their first album, combining some of Eri’s songs with their own. There were a couple more lineup changes through that album cycle and into the summer of 2025. Zak reached out to Caleb to step in as lead guitarist, and Matt to fill the shoes of electric rhythm, and the current Bound South was born.

Drawing from their various inspirations, the band showcases a wide array of subgenres falling under the umbrella of Southern rock and country, both musically and lyrically. Listeners can find everything from bluegrass to blues, folk to outlaw country, and all the places in-between, with a modern twist.

Bound South have been working on their second studio album since the fall of 2025, with recording beginning in October and wrapping in December. The plan is to release a single every two weeks, then cap it with an album release show soon after. So far, there have been two singles, “Murder River” and “A Gambler Knows a Cheat.” The third single, “Judgement Day,” is set to drop on March 13th.

Murder River will be out late spring of 2026.

Follow Bound South’s socials for all the latest news and updates – and for the date of the heavily anticipated album release show!

Five Songs I’m Obsessed With [2/16 – 2/22]

I’m allowing myself an Honorable Mention again, because I really dig this track but can’t replace any of the others.

Bound South Unleashes New Single “Murder River”

Hailing from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Bound South is a five-piece that explores the many facets of southern rock. The band formed in 2024, and now, after releasing their debut self-titled album and a couple of lineup changes, they are back with their introduction to this new era, “Murder River.”

The song is a dark one, telling the tale of a location with a bloodcurdling past. The band’s Southern roots are heavily prevalent in the style of the music, a mix of country, blues, and an eerie folksy vibe. Vocalist/bassist Eri carries the atmosphere a step higher with the strength of her voice, the grit and the hint of twang putting the cherry on top.

Check out “Murder River” below, and/or on your chosen streaming service, and make sure you follow Bound South so you can keep up-to-date on all they have going on! More new music is coming soon, so keep your eyes open!

Bound South’s Links:

The Smashing Pumpkins Announce 2024 North American Tour Dates

Alt-rockers The Smashing Pumpkins will be performing live across North America this summer. They’re doing dates with Green Day, The Glorious Sons, and Pvris, in addition to the OSHEAGA Festival in Montreal on August 3rd. Tickets to all shows are available at smashingpumpkins.com!

  • 7/29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park^
  • 7/31 – Bala, ON – The KEE to Bala
  • 8/1 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre^
  • 8/3 – Montreal, QC – OSHEAGA Festival 2024*
  • 8/4 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater+
  • 8/5 – Queens, NY – Citi Field^
  • 8/7 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park^
  • 8/9 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park^
  • 8/10 – Hershey, PA – HersheyPark Stadium^
  • 8/13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field^
  • 8/14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre#
  • 8/16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair#
  • 8/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field^
  • 8/18 – Sioux City, IA – Battery Park#
  • 8/20 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall+
  • 8/21 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre#
  • 8/22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark^
  • 8/24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field^
  • 8/27 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park#
  • 8/28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park^
  • 8/30 – Nashville, TN – GEODIS Park^
  • 9/1 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park^
  • 9/4 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park^
  • 9/7 – Denver, CO – Coors Field^
  • 9/10 – Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove#
  • 9/11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field^
  • 9/14 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium^
  • 9/18 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field^
  • 9/20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park^
  • 9/21 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort+
  • 9/23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park^
  • 9/24 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live Outdoor Venue+
  • 9/25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park^
  • 9/27 – Las Vegas, NV – BleauLive Theater#
  • 9/28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park^

^ The Saviors Tour w/Green Day, Rancid, The Linda Lindas

* Festival

+ w/The Glorious Sons

# w/Pvris

Hootie & the Blowfish Shares 2024 Dates With Collective Soul and Edwin McCain

Say hello to another nostalgia tour! Hootie & the Blowfish have announced the “Summer Camp With Trucks Tour,” and they’re bringing along special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. Tickets are available at hootie.com!

  • 5/30 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
  • 5/31 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
  • 6/1 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
  • 6/6 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
  • 6/7 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
  • 6/8 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
  • 6/13 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
  • 6/14 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
  • 6/15 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
  • 6/21 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*
  • 6/27 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
  • 6/28 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
  • 6/29 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
  • 7/10 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
  • 7/11 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
  • 7/13 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
  • 7/16 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
  • 7/17 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
  • 7/19 – Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
  • 7/20 – Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheatre
  • 7/26 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
  • 7/27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
  • 8/1 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
  • 8/2 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
  • 8/3 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
  • 8/8 – Somerset, WI – Somerset Amphitheater
  • 8/9 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
  • 8/10 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
  • 8/15 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
  • 8/16 – Philadelphia, PA – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
  • 8/17 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
  • 8/29 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
  • 8/30 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
  • 9/5 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
  • 9/6 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
  • 9/7 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
  • 9/12 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena
  • 9/13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  • 9/14 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
  • 9/19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
  • 9/20 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
  • 9/26 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • 9/27 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
  • 9/28 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

* with special guests Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, and Edwin McCain

Dirty Honey: Can’t Find the Brakes Tour 2023

This fall, Los Angeles based rockers Dirty Honey are setting out on their biggest North American headline tour to date, in support of their forthcoming record, Can’t Find the Brakes. Support comes in the form of singer/guitarist Austin Meade. Find the full list of dates below. Tickets are available at dirtyhoney.com.

  • 10/18 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
  • 10/19 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
  • 10/21 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
  • 10/22 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
  • 10/24 – Dallas, TX – The Studio at The Factory
  • 10/25 – Houston, TX – RISE Rooftop
  • 10/27 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham
  • 10/28 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
  • 10/29 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
  • 10/31 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
  • 11/1 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
  • 11/3 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!
  • 11/4 – Harrisburg, PA – Stage on Herr at HMAC
  • 11/5 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes
  • 11/7 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre Beanfield
  • 11/8 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall
  • 11/10 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre
  • 11/12 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
  • 11/13 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
  • 11/15 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall
  • 11/16 – Denver, CO – Summit
  • 11/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
  • 11/19 – Las Vegas, NV – The Sand Dollar Downtown
  • 11/20 – Los Angeles, CA – Belasco Theater
  • 11/24 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
  • 11/25 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
  • 11/26 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
  • 11/28 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
  • 12/1 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
  • 12/2 – Minneapolis, MN – Uptown Theater
  • 12/4 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
  • 12/5 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre
  • 12/7 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall
  • 12/8 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation @ The Intersection
  • 12/9 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
  • 12/11 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
  • 12/13 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
  • 12/14 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
  • 12/15 – St. Louis, MO – The Hawthorn

Check out the latest singles from Dirty Honey and Austin Meade!

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 14 – Favorite Song From Your Childhood

When I was little, my favorite artist in the whole world was Tom Petty. I used to listen to Full Moon Fever constantly, and back then, this was my favorite track. (My favorites now are “Face in the Crowd,” “Zombie Zoo,” and “Love is a Long Road.”)

Tom Petty: “Yer So Bad”

Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 48)

Spineshank: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (The Beatles cover)

Leo Moracchioli ft. Mary Spender: “Sultans of Swing” (Dire Straits cover)

Wednesday 13: “Runnin’ Down a Dream” (Tom Petty cover)