It’s always uplifting news when some new Black Joe Lewis songs begin to trickle out in anticipation of a new album and tour. Joe and the sextet of musicians that make up his backing band, the Honeybears, are purveyors of down-home blues rock that has working class appeal, but also deftly colaesces with awe-inspiring technical musicianship. The upcoming album features producer, Stuart Sikes, who is no stranger to Joe’s music but also claims an impressive resume that includes past relationships with the White Stripes, Cat Power, and Modest Mouse. The upcoming album will be supported by a five week Fall tour that kicks off in September and will hit all of the major markets in the US and Canada. Unlike Gary Clark Jr, who rocketed into the stratosphere of the music world relatively quickly, Joe has been on a steady grind building his fan base outside of Austin. While there are plethora of music acts in Austin that come in a myriad of different genres and styles; Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears stand apart having a distinct Austin blues flavor that pays tribute to Stevie Ray, WC Clark, Albert King and other forefathers. Though Austin is a growing town with a deluge of talent, there may not be another band that is as accurate of a representative of the city’s charm and as deserving of success, as Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.
Check out the new track "Culture Vulture" here