Futurebirds

Originating in Athens, Georgia, Futurebirds craft an easygoing blend of country-rock infused with atmospheric, psychedelic edges. Their twangy, approachable style reflects an inventive mix that weaves indie-rock ingenuity, pop hooks, jam-band exploration, and deep Southern roots, the same foundation that first endeared them to local listeners. Extensive roadwork sharpened their method, which took shape on the 2013 studio release Baba Yaga and the 2015 follow-up Hotel Parties; the 2023 project Bloomin' paired them with Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket, while Easy Company, issued in 2024, showcased their relaxed, flowing sound to full effect.

The band’s origins trace to 2008, when University of Georgia students and Sigma Alpha Epsilon members Daniel Womack and Carter King, both guitarists and vocalists, resolved to launch a project. They initially performed as Anjeco, around the same period another Athens outfit, the Interns, began gigging locally. After both groups disbanded, guitarist Thomas Johnson and drummer Payton Bradford from the Interns joined Womack and King to establish Futurebirds. The quartet developed original material, adopted their current name, and recorded the four-song EP Hampton’s Lullaby, which surfaced in July 2010. Soon afterward bassist Brannen Miles and pedal steel guitarist Dennis Love came aboard. Autumn Tone Records signed the group, sending them to Chase Park Transduction in Athens to expand the EP into an 11-track album released the same year. Two additional EPs, EP and Via Flamina, appeared in 2011 as touring commitments intensified.

Futurebirds next signed with Fat Possum Records, delivering their sophomore full-length Baba Yaga in 2013. Payton Bradford exited at this stage to pursue law school, with Johnny “Colorado” Lundock taking over on drums. Their third album, Hotel Parties, emerged in 2015 and reflected both the rewards and strains of constant travel. After years of heavy touring, they issued Teamwork in 2020 on their own VL/4L label.

Like many acts, Futurebirds endured an extended pause when the COVID-19 pandemic halted live performances across the United States, resuming the road only in 2022. By then Dennis Love and Johnny “Colorado” Lundock had departed, replaced by pedal steel guitarist Kiffy Myers, drummer Tom Myers, and keyboardist Spencer Thomas. The band had already collaborated in the studio with their acquaintance Carl Broemel, resulting in the four-song EP Bloomin’ in 2021. A follow-up, Bloomin’ Too, arrived in 2022, and the two EPs were later merged into an 11-song vinyl edition titled Bloomin’ the following year. A live document of their joint shows with Broemel surfaced in 2024 as …Thanks Y’all, drawn from nine February 2023 performances. In August 2024 the group unveiled Easy Company, their debut for Dualtone Music, retaining their signature bright yet subtly skewed country-rock while featuring guest contributions from Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers and Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee.