Memphis soul, blues, and jam band Southern Avenue has an extremely interesting and unique backstory. Guitarist Ori Naftaly grew up in Israel with a deep-rooted passion for American soul, blues, and funk. Naftaly set his eyes on the prize, making a musical pilgrimage in 2013 to compete in Memphis, TN’s prestigious International Blues Challenge. Realizing that staying with his former band in Israel was holding him back, a new opportunity arose when Naftaly befriended Memphis-bred vocalist Tierinii Jackson, who has an extensive history of singing in church, local cover bands, theatrical projects, and more.
In 2015, Ori Naftaly, Tierinii Jackson, and her drummer sister Tikyra Jackson helped form Southern Avenue. The band toured vigorously throughout the U.S. and Europe in their formative years before landing a record deal. Southern Avenue released their debut self-titled album in February 2017 via Stax Records. Expanding their vision to embrace new musical challenges, the quartet is gearing up to release their sophomore album, Keep On, due out on May 10th, 2019.
Keep On was recorded with producer Johnny Black (Jessie J, Daughtry, Estelle) at Memphis’ legendary Sam Phillips Recording, and includes guest appearances by seminal Stax Records artist William Bell, noted Memphis musician Gage Markey (who serves as guest bassist on most of the album), and a horn section comprised of Art Edmaiston (JJ Grey & Mofro, Gregg Allman) and Marc Franklin (The Bo-Keys, Gregg Allman).
“Jive” is a snappy new tune off of Keep On, which opens up with Tikyra “TK” Jackson holding down a tight-knit groove behind Naftaly’s gritty opening guitar lick. Tierinii Jackson jumps into her vocal lead loud and proud, as the quartet trickles into the song’s main theme. Southern Avenue arranged their vocal overlays and harmonies with precision and meticulous thought, resulting in a beautiful sonic landscape, offering insight to the band’s vast, worldly influences.
Tierinii Jackson shared her thoughts on “Jive” with Live For Live Music. She explains,
This song is about learning to navigate a fast-paced industry while maintaining one’s self-respect. There are lots of selfish people out there, snakes who will try to take advantage of you at every corner. You need to be aware of your surroundings, learn the game and become that beast that no one wants to mess with. We love this song because we’ve encountered a lot of toxic relationships on our journey and we have survived and thrived through all the Jive.
Today, we’re excited to premiere Southern Avenue’s new single. You can check out the Live For Live Music premiere of Southern Avenue’s new tune “Jive” below:
Southern Avenue – “Jive”
[Audio: Concord Records]
Southern Avenue has a big year of touring ahead of them, highlighted by multiple performances in New Orleans during Jazz Fest, festival appearances at Beale Street Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Electric Forest, Peach Music Festival, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, and more. The band will also join Tedeschi Trucks Band for a run of shows throughout the Southwest in the fall.
Fans can head here to pre-order Southern Avenue’s forthcoming Keep On release.
See below for a full list of the band’s upcoming tour dates. For ticketing and more information, head to Southern Avenue’s website.
The post PREMIERE: Southern Avenue Survives & Thrives On Soul-Centric New Single, “Jive” [Listen] appeared first on L4LM.
