Southern Avenue – “Found A Friend In You”
Southern Avenue – “Found A Friend In You” – Single Review
To be honest, I don’t think these titans really need a stamp of approval from the likes of yours truly, though they’ll certainly get one. I actually ended up watching a live performance from Southern Avenue before I heard the recorded version of their brand-new single “Found A Friend In You” from their upcoming debut record coming out this April, and to say I was impressed would be putting it mildly at the very least. Watching the bond this band shares on stage, and hearing how freakin’ talented they are…I mean…yo…this is the kind of unified front you always wanna see when you go to a show y’all!
As to what exactly they’ve got here…I suppose time is going to tell the real story in the long run, but suffice it to say, they’ve practically got limitless options for where Southern Avenue could fit into the scene. You’re gonna find descriptions of Roots, Soul, Blues, Country…and for sure, they’re all valid descriptions of what they’re creating in part, but you gotta really appreciate the fact that what they’re really doing is finding a way to combine all those timeless genres into their own spirited, hybrid sound.
No joke folks – spin your way through “Found A Friend In You” one time and I can virtually guarantee you’ll be just as impressed with what they do as I was. Spin it twice, you’ll be every bit the fan that I am now as well. Spin it three times and…well…you get it – you’ll spin it several times over, because you can’t help but feel the uplifting vibes on display and the pure joy of making music on “Found A Friend In You.” To hear it is clearly one thing, but to see it in action is also another, making this band a genuine force to be reckoned with, whether you’re listening to their music recorded, or seeing them play live.
There is a whole lot to appreciate here, and to be real with ya, singling out any one element or player in Southern Avenue feels like it would be doing their collective talent a disservice of sorts. What I can tell you is this – hearing the vocals of Tierinii Jackson is a serious revelation…she is beyond sensational, and quite likely to be the first thing many listeners out there notice in listening to this band. Steady as she goes all the way down the lineup from guitarist Ori Naftaly’s stellar contributions, to the lively beats from drummer/vocalist Tikyra Jackson, all the way through to their superhuman multi-talent in Ava Jackson, who also sings, in addition to playing violin and various elements of percussion, just like you see her doing in the live video of “Found A Friend” above. Having three sisters in one band is a clear cut advantage over so many others out there when they’re as remarkable as the Jacksons are, but make no mistake, it’s the combined magic made by this entire band that is making them as special as they’ve become, which has even led them to being Grammy-nominated. Loving the vocals straight across the board here – I think it’d be extremely tough to take your ears off of just how amazing Tierinii is, but to be completely fair, the power that they sing with in the harmonies when all three Jacksons are singing as one, is truly something to behold. I’ve always been a fan of violin as well, so Ava gets an extra shout-out from me too – I love that she gets a justified moment of her own in a solo towards the end of “Found A Friend In You,” and you can tell the sound of her instrument definitely has a place in a band with versatility like Southern Avenue. As far as I’ve learned, she has a verifiable degree in Classical Violin and joined the band after graduating in 2021 – but I doubt you’ll need to see her credentials here in writing when you can hear’em so clearly with your ears on “Found A Friend In You.” This band truly has all the right pieces they need to succeed, 100%.
As far as my ears can tell, they’re doing all the right things to set themselves apart from the rest of what’s out there…from their dynamic performances to the sheer confidence they’re bringing to their music, this crossover band is sure to win you all over in some way, shape, or form. There’s just too much going right for you not to find something you’ll love about Southern Avenue! Don’t take my word for it though – make sure to have a listen for yourself, and be sure to check out that live video too! If you’re in Memphis, where the band is based out of, you’ve got no excuses to not see this band playing live! I’ll be keeping an eye out for the time they eventually end up in Vancouver, BC, where I’m from, because there’s no way a band like this doesn’t end up touring the entire globe with the amount of talent they possess and the powerful entertainment they’re capable of creating. They’ve already rocked shows supporting legends like Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson…so believe me when I tell ya, it’s only a matter of time before Southern Avenue is a household name themselves, and with a new album right around the corner, it’s clear they’re heading into the most groundbreaking year of the band’s history to-date so far. Keep Southern Avenue on your radar, and certainly on your playlists.
Find out more about Southern Avenue from their official website at: https://www.southernavenuemusic.com
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