With each new release from the beloved Texan quartet The South Austin Moonlighters, fans are time and time again reminded just how good these gentlemen are at turning an upbeat tune out of a less-than-stellar feeling.
Premiered at The Bluegrass Situation recently, their new single “Box of Memories” might be the best example yet.
“It’s tough to get over losing someone you love,” says Chris Beall, the song’s co-writer and singer of the Austin-based band who got their start playing together for a fun side-gig—hence the “moonlighting.”
But listening to “Box of Memories” kick off with its lively Beatles-meet-banjo jangle, one would be foolish to dismiss it for being too sad or lonely based on his description alone.
Fortunately, there’s been enough time between then and now for Beall to look back on his loss with a wise outlook.
“One time a good friend told me something to this effect, ‘You know, no one can live up to that memory you’re carrying around with you in your head,’” Beall remembers.
“He was right. There was something about that I understood well and I wouldn’t live that way any more. A few years later, I set out to write this song in retrospect.”
Joined by his fellow South Austin Moonlighters—Lonnie Trevino Jr., Daniel James, and Hunter St. Marie—the band gets the idea across swimmingly, leaning on vintage tones, flowing harmonies, atypical drum patterns, and the tight weave of a long-together band of musicians.
“Box of Memories” is the latest single from the Moonlighters’ upcoming album, From Here To Home—due out on June 30th.
Produced by Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos fame), From Here To Home is an album of rebirth and acknowledgment.
It’s a recognition of where The South Austin Moonlighters have been, and a peek at all of the exciting places they are going and want to head towards in the future.
Take the title track for instance, which is a song that Beall and Trevino Jr. wrote together.
It’s a tale of finding oneself on the road, not necessarily lost, but unmoored.
Despite this estrangement, the group finds power in the songs they write, carrying them through another day.
“From Here To Home is a journey back to rediscovering why we started doing this in the first place,” Trevino Jr. says before his co-conspirator helps him complete the thought in a way only the closest of collaborators can:
“Because that’s the only thing we want to do–make joyous music.”
Fans can hear “Box of Memories” today at this link, check out the Moonlighters’ previously-released single “Make A Livin’” right here, and pre-order or pre-save From Here To Home ahead of its June 30th release here.
The South Austin Moonlighters hit the road again in June and a full list of tour dates can be found below or at thesouthaustinmoonlighters.com.
From Here To Home Tracklist:
Nashville
Make A Livin’
Long Time Coming
Box Of Memories
Faded Into Gray
Hearts In Parallel
From Here to Home
Then Away Farewell
It’s Only Money (That Makes The World Go ‘Round)
Delta Man
Catch South Austin Moonlighters On Tour:
June 24 – Austin TX – 3Ten – Album Release Show
July 1 – Houston, TX – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
August 3 – Estes Park, CO – Listening at the Legion
August 4 – Telluride, CO – Mountain Village Summer Concert Series
August 5 – Silverton, CO – Columbine Roadhouse Gatorfest
August 6 – Antelope Butte, WY – Festival TBA
August 11th – Dallas, TX – Morton Meyerson Symphony Center (Los Lobos support)