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Mysterious, magnificent Souled American started in Chicago, blending roots with rock to pioneer a style later called 'alternative country.'

They recorded 64 songs between 1988 and 1996, a legendary body of work that has been unavailable for decades and is only now receiving the attention it has long deserved.

"Souled American are due some reissues and reappreciation."

-Jeff Tweedy 

Store

Now Available!

FROZEN and NOTES CAMPFIRE

Limited lovely vinyl reissues are available in the US from Scissor Tail Records and everywhere else from Aguirre Records. Each features behind-the-scenes stories, musician credits, technical notes, and whimsical cartoons detailing the origins of these ambient Americana classics.

New Material

"Sorry State" / "Phoenix"

The band's first release since 2006's "Ringside Suite," this single pairs their newest song with their oldest! "Sorry State" was recorded September 2024. "Phoenix" was recorded January 1986. The A-side provides the first whiff of what to expect from the much-anticipated, long-awaited 7th record.

Tour

Upcoming Shows

photo by Christopher Bruno

Press

Featured
Chicago alt-country eccentrics Souled American play their first shows in 13 years behind two overdue reissues
Chicago alt-country eccentrics Souled American play their first shows in 13 years behind two overdue reissues

Chicago Reader: Chicago country eccentrics Souled American were ahead of the curve when it came to reimagining country music...

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Where to start with country music weirdos Souled American? The end
Where to start with country music weirdos Souled American? The end

The NPR Music Review: There are cult bands and then there's Souled American. In 1988, the Illinois group arguably invented "alternative country" with the album Fe...

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Country/Reggae Legends Souled American Are Ready To Blow Minds Again
Country/Reggae Legends Souled American Are Ready To Blow Minds Again

Bandcamp Daily: Souled American ambled onto the late ‘80s Chicago scene as the first—and easily the most artistically successful—country and reggae hybrid to roll down the pike...

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Early Alt-Country/Slowcore Band Souled American Re-Release Their Studio Album Catalog
Early Alt-Country/Slowcore Band Souled American Re-Release Their Studio Album Catalog

Under The Radar: Though there is nothing overtly patriotic about the six late ’80s/early ’90s albums of Chicago’s Souled American, the band chose 2023’s Flag Day to re-release their back catalog via Bandcamp. 

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Spare Songs from a Diminished Land
Spare Songs from a Diminished Land

The Believer: My CDs are kept on a shelf. When I think, “I would like to listen to some music,” I go to that shelf and examine them, consider them. I look at the spines and think, “I could listen to that… or that.

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Souled American – Honing the art of self-cultivation
Souled American – Honing the art of self-cultivation

No Depression: Think of Loretta Lynn traveling the South, pleading with DJs to spin her first record, sleeping in her car every night and babying her one good dress...

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Eric D. Johnson on Souled American – Frozen
Eric D. Johnson on Souled American – Frozen

Raven Sings The Blues: A long running favorite around here, I feel like there may be a Fruit Bats album that’s been there to help in quite a few prominent turns in my life. 

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Listening Post: Souled American
Listening Post: Souled American

Dusted: Souled American arose in the context of the roots-influenced alternative rock scene of the mid to late 1980s that included “cowpunk” bands...

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Music

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