Album Notes

Justin Evans is no stranger to a country song. His grandfather was a singer and guitar playing during the Great Depression who played with the likes of Gid Tanner and various traveling medicine shows earning money for his family back home. While he has recorded three albums, The Owls & The Hounds is his first official release. With a strikingly unique
deep and husky, yet gentle voice, Evans explores classic Americana themes with solid lyricism and
beautiful melodies. Here are songs of the road, late nights in the bars, whiskey and black coffee, hard
rains, hard women, and long desires.

“The Heart of New Orleans” is an homage to that ravaged gambling town replete with rag time piano and saxophone blowing from a fire escape, while “Heart of San Francisco” is a slow bluesy number finding Evans and a lady friend on a cold foggy night on the bay, the sound of the saxophone flying above the hills. “Muscadine Wine” is another highlight, featuring an undercurrent of organ, gorgeous sweeping steel, and a touch of classical guitar. Steeped in classic AM country stylings with an old-timey feel in the vein of Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, and Howlin’ Wolf, The Owls & The Hounds
is defined by a warmth of sound and stands as a strong achievement in songwriting.

Evans is backed by an all-star cast of Athens players to color the songs. Recorded and produced by AJ
Adams (Kinky Waikiki, The Granfalloons, ex-Blueground Undergrass) at his Troubadour Den Studios, the
record is graced by David Blackmon (Curley Maple, Widespread Panic) on fiddle, Tommy Somerville
(Squat, The Granfalloons) on saxophone and piano, Carlton Owens (Stewart & Winfield, Kinky Waikiki) on drums, and
Adams on bass and guitars.

The Owls & The Hounds is released by Cowboy Angel Music label.