The south has traditionally been a purveyor of music thick with the same magic and mystery that is in the air. Musicians have long embraced that essence, conjuring that same spirit and soul rooted deep in its history. Natchez boys Bishop Gunn prove to be their own “jewel of the Mississippi” drawing from that same well as other southern musical greats before them and the way they channel that soul proves that well won’t run dry. They breed that resilience, that delta spirit in their invasive sound flowing their heart songs through raw, gritty, muddy soul. That same soul familiar in the foundation of Muscle Shoals and the generation of music it bred; a place where they fittingly recorded a track off of their latest album, Natchez, resuscitating and curating a sound empowering the Southern Rock genre into a new generation. Lead singer Travis McCready’s vocals are refreshing and heavy, pairing roots with a personal connection. From the homage to the continued lineage of the devil women of Dixie plaguing men and musicians alike to the inspirational soul shine of their own being, each tune indeed “finds the words to help you make it through” and it is up to Bishop Gunn to sing it to the world. Their sound prides their strong lineage and foundation, hearkening back to an earlier soul soaked guitar-driven sound bleeding from the roots and branches of blues-based rock Americana. Having recently wrapped up one of the tour legs opening up for the equally talented music shifters – The Marcus King Band, on their Carolina Confessions tour – and preparing to open up for the final leg of Slash’s European tour early 2019, Bishop Gunn just released the music video for their single “Alabama” – a visual representation matching the sound which transforms themselves through their surroundings, even in fiction, invoking the darker clandestine side of the bayou. If these boys can continue to stay solid to their roots, continue to awaken and raise the vibration of the delta and spread that glory, they just may be the overseers of the next Southern rock music revolution. There’s something coming up from the deeper waters of the south, a water many young upcoming musicians are all drinking from, and Bishop Gunn takes us along on the ride from the muddy soul of the Mississippi, satiating us every step of the way.
