The Band Of Heathens

From the venue:

For the past two decades, Austin’s The Band of Heathens have been ahead of the curve. Whether that’s through incisive lyrics or a sound they crafted that’s become mainstream, the group of troubadours has been steadfast in their truth. On the band’s upcoming album, titled Country Sides, The Band of Heathens takes a look back at their career with gratitude and great satisfaction.

Formed in 2005, the Heathens broke into the public consciousness in 2009 with their heartfelt blend of country and rock, including memorable performances at Austin City Limits on PBS and the Austin City Limits Festival. Since then, members have come and gone, but principal songwriters Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist give the band its collective focus and provide the DNA to the songs beloved by folks around the globe.

What has separated the band from their Americana and country rock peers is that they’ve done this all themselves. The group has kept its DIY ethos, building its audience, sound, and success brick by brick. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s allowed the band to maintain its freedom and artistic integrity. This DIY attitude has informed everything the band has done and is reflected in Country Sides.

“We're in a really great space creatively after all these years,” Jurdi says. “The songs we write and perform are a reflection of both our inner and outer world and the stories that reside in the spaces between."

By the time it came to record Country Sides, Jurdi and Quist took a deep look inside. Priding themselves on writing continuously, when it came time to compile the album, the duo estimated they had 20-30 songs in contention before narrowing it down to 11.

Hunkering down at Quist’s Austin-area The Finishing School Studio, the themes of what would make this a monumental album in the Heathens’ discography and history came into focus.

“Middle age has brought a new perspective into focus," Quist says. "The passage of time, struggle, relationships, and love have all been themes in our writing for a while, but it's interesting how they've taken another twist as we've taken stock of the band's 20-year journey. Sometimes you think you're writing about yourself or your family, but what comes out ends up mirroring the history of the band or some other aspect of life.”

Songs like the swampy, groovy, and rockin’ “Take The Cake," the deeply contemplative “Pleasing People” that explores the pitfalls of outside noise while remaining true to oneself, and “High On Our Own Supply,” which reflects explicitly on their journey, showcase that. In fact, listen closely to every Heathens record, and you'll find a timeless sound that only now is permeating the mainstream.

We've always felt like we are outsiders on an island," Quist says, "which can be a blessing and a curse. Since we've never had the muscle or the budget of the label machine, we never focused on reaching masses and just focused on making organic music that resonates with us.”
“We've always followed our creative instincts,” Jurdi adds. “We're at a point now where the thing we've been doing has become a bit fashionable, so it feels a little like things are coming full circle.”

Throughout the recording process, which spanned a week earlier in 2025, the duo agreed that this was the most comfortable they’d been while making an album. Once they finished recording and sequencing the record, they entered a reflective stage, realizing they had an album that was a literal arc of their 20-year journey.

For a band that’s accomplished so much and on their own terms, the approach for this album was natural and felt right. The themes addressed on this album, such as the reflective, contemplative nature of the lyrical matter, led to questions like "What’s next?" As always, The Band of Heathens is debating what that future looks like. It certainly includes more music and touring. But, in what fashion? Not even they know. That said, their music continues to live on. Look no further than the success of 2011’s “Hurricane. Nearly 15 years later, the song went gold and has since been certified platinum, showcasing the band’s resonant sound. And, at this point in their career, they’re perfectly content with what they’re doing.

“We’re grateful to be 20 years into this and to have a fan base that has hopped on the creative journey with us wherever we have decided to turn,” Quist says.

“We've been able to have success on our own terms, which is something I'm incredibly proud of. There's a level of confidence in our decisions and an understanding that the path we've chosen has been good and right for us.” Jurdi adds.