Every once in a while, you come across a band that you know is going places. If you’re lucky, you discover them early enough to watch them grow and evolve over time.

The Lone Bellow has been one of those bands for me since they made a statement with their debut album in 2013.

Initially, this band wasn’t even planned to be what it is today. Their debut album began as a journal project of Zach Williams to help cope with the recovery process of his wife after she was in a horseback riding accident. Once she recovered, he learned to play guitar and turned those journal entries into songs. Williams then joined forces with friend Brian Elmquist and fellow singer Kanene Pipkin, and with that, the trio that is the Lone Bellow was born.

Josh and I were able to see them on their first tour that followed the release of their debut album. They played at a TINY Austin venue called Red 7 that doesn't even exist anymore. They weren’t headlining even this small of a show, but we knew we found something special when every person knew every single word to their songs. Williams, the “lead” singer, sang his heart and soul out. By the time we were able to meet the band after the show, Williams had almost completely lost his voice from his raw performance. Even though he could barely speak, Williams along with Elmquist and Pipkin individually thanked everyone for coming.

I’ve followed them ever since that day, and it baffles me that they are not more well known, 7 years and 3 albums later. I’m hoping to remedy some small part of that by sharing them today.

To me, going to see them in concert is like going to church. I don't mean that in a specifically religious way; I just think that they have an uncanny ability to connect with people and their crowds. Many of their songs will tap directly into your emotions and resonate with true feelings you didn't know you had.

I have a tough time finding the words to describe their pop/folk/country sound. All three are incredibly talented singers, and the harmonies that they produce will leave you breathless. The compositions are put together flawlessly, and each of their talents is able to shine through.

No one has been able to go to any live concerts for some time now. I’m thankful that they were the last performance I was able to see before this situation got completely out of hand. They stuck around until no one else wanted a picture, an autograph, or conversation. I was able to speak with them after the show again this time, and we swapped memories from their first show in Austin. They are genuinely some of my favorite artists that I have ever had the chance to share words with.

I have rewritten this many times in my head, and I’m coming to terms with the fact that my words ultimately will not do The Lone Bellow justice. The best way to do that is to simply have you listen to them, and hopefully I’ve convinced you to give them a try through this.

Happy listening friends.

Spread the music. Spread the love.

Cheers,

Travis

One of the first songs that I fell in love with, “Bleeding Out” encapsulates the energy that they bring to the stage.

My favorite song from their most recent album, Half Moon Light, “Count On Me” showcases the vocals from all three stellar members of this trio.

“I Can Feel You Dancing” is the song that inspired the title of this post. It highlights the raw emotion that is present in all of their songs.