Southall Drops Guardrails for 'Kinfolk' Album

Southall has released their latest album, Kinfolk, which embodies a radical "anything goes" approach to its creation. This contrasts with their previous, more deliberate album, Southall, which aimed to establish a new direction. Recorded in Norman, Oklahoma, with producer Wes Sharon, Kinfolk features nine tracks intentionally stripped of creative limitations.

Frontman Read Southall described the studio sessions as having "no wrong answer," even if some ideas were initially questionable. The album explores profound themes, including personal identity and the concept of home, as seen in the autobiographical track "Southwestern Son." It also features "Okie Pokin' Out," an ode to Oklahoma, and "Worse Things," a poignant song penned by former drummer Reid Barber about loss.

Producer Wes Sharon allowed the music to dictate the sound, resulting in varied production choices, such as the funeral chorus effect on "Worse Things" and casino sounds on "House Money." Southall is now embarking on their largest career stages, opening the Southern Hospitality Tour with The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers, running from mid-May through August.