Austin-based country rockers The Band of Heathens are celebrating 20 years of making music with a new album and tour that includes a Saturday night concert at Cain’s Ballroom.
The independent band is currently touring in support of their ninth studio album “Country Sides.” It includes the single “Take The Cake,” which last month charted at No. 2 on the Americana chart.
The Band of Heathens was founded by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, who continue to lead the band on vocals and guitars. They are joined by Nick Jay on bass, Trevor Nealon on keyboards and Clint Simmons on drums.
Jurdi took time to answer some questions from the road last week after a tour stop in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Twenty years of making music as The Band of Heathens. Congrats! How does it feel to be 20 years into this thing and still recording new music and touring?
In some ways it’s flown by, and in others it feels like we’ve been a band for eternity. Either way, we’re still enjoying the ride, feeling inspired and trying to push the boundaries of what we’re capable of as a band.
You just released “Country Sides” a couple weeks ago. What sets this album apart from past efforts? What most excites you about it?
Of course I’m biased, but I really do think this is a batch of some of the best songs we’ve written, and I think the band is at the peak of its powers in the studio. We made this album pretty quickly in about a week or recording time, and we were trying to sonically blend country textures with R&B muscle.
You’ve played Tulsa a couple of times, including the historic Cain’s Ballroom, which you’re returning to Saturday. What stands out to you about the ballroom?
The magic and history of that place never loses its luster. From Sid Vicious’s hole in the wall, to Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Willie, Merle, Leon Russell, JJ Cale… the history is staggering and you feel it every time you walk in the room.
What can fans expect from this show? Is the setlist heavy on new material? Any deep cuts you’re excited to play again?
You can expect that every show will be different from the night before. I don’t know what we’ll be playing that night because I’ll write the set list a couple hours before showtime. It will have new material, old material and it will be different from what we played the night before. We’re always trying to keep it fresh to keep the audience on their toes and to keep ourselves entertained.
Lance Roark, from nearby Tahlequah, is opening for you at Cain’s. He’s an up-and-comer who could climb the ladder fast. How did this come to be?
I think I first heard about Lance Roark from our mutual friend R.C. Edwards a couple years ago. I’m looking forward to hearing his set.
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