With three full-length albums and an EP behind them, including 2019’s Die Happy (produced by Trampled By Turtles’ Dave Simonett on Lo-Hi Records), Them Coulee Boys has garnered international attention and earned press in American Songwriter and The Bluegrass Situation, as well as tours with Trampled By Turtles and a spot on the songwriter’s Cayamo Cruise. In 2020, they were named Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Band to Watch and were nominated for band of the year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry. When the world stopped in early 2020, the band holed up in their practice space and began writing. The result is their brand new effort entitled Namesake, available on August 6, 2021. (Them Coulee Boys, 2021)

Soren Staff and Beau Janke—co-founders of folk/rock/Americana outfit Them Coulee Boys—met as counselors at a bible camp in northern Wisconsin in 2011. Having both grown up amidst a stretch of glacial melt-carved river valleys in the upper Midwest, otherwise known by French fur trappers as coulees, they became fast friends. “Them coulee boys are at it again,” the other counselors would tease. Fast forward to 2021 and the only thing that warrants the phrase “Them Coulee Boys are at it again” is the announcement of a brand new album from Staff, Janke, and the three other band members who have joined since camp days—Soren’s brother, Jens Staff, on mandolin, Neil Krause on bass, and Staš Hable on drums. On August 6, Them Coulee Boys are set to release Namesake, a rollicking ten-song collection that spans from leaping, countrified rock and roll to pure and genuine ballads, all in the Boys’ signature, punched-up Americana sound. The Bluegrass Situation recently premiered the first single from Namesake, a summertime-feeling, Petty-esque strummer called “Given Up.” Under the feel-good 12-string melodic lines of “Given Up” lies an examination of failing the ones we love; a perfect example of Them Coulee Boys’ ability to repeatedly wrap tough subjects in sing-along-able tunes. Fans can hear “Given Up” now at this link and pre-order or pre-save Namesake ahead of its August 6 release right here. 

Namesake was recorded at The Hive in the band’s hometown of Eau Claire, WI, a small Wisconsin city infamously blessed with a wealth of musical talent. The record was produced by Grammy-winner Brian Joseph who has worked with the likes of Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Ani Difranco, and The Indigo Girls, and earned his Grammy producing and engineering Bon Iver’s Bon Iver. The Hive itself is an intimate room, with ceilings draped with nautical rope, and bookshelves adorned with all manner of things antiquarian, living and dead. Joseph’s fingerprints are everywhere on the record, and the warm feel of home left the band trusting further expansion of their sound. The result is a record that is equal parts bear hug, gut punch, and a steadying hand.

Namesake finds Them Coulee Boys following a new trajectory, combining their signature take on folk-grass and Americana with comfort on electric instruments playing rock and roll. The record lives and breathes. It is both intimate and bombastic. It is the sweet aunt who makes delicious pies and the wily uncle who is not afraid to hit a bit of the hooch. At the bottom is the acceptance that comes with family and old friends; none of us are perfect, but there is enough love out there to make up for it.

Namesake Track list:
Namesake
Given Up
Phil’s Song
April 1st
Knuckleballer
Canyon
Repurposed Frowns
Just Friends
1st Team All-American
Hallelujah