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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 

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30th Anniversary Vinyl Editions Now Available!

Pre-order limited, hand-numbered 30th Anniversary Editions of 'Frozen' and 'Notes Campfire' today. These releases feature behind-the-scenes stories, musician credits, technical notes, and whimsical cartoons detailing the origins of these ambient Americana classics. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of music history!

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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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