Alternative Country Band Coleman Jennings and the Roaddogs Release Debut EP, Out Today
COLEMAN JENNINGS AND THE ROADDOGS
— ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY BAND —
RELEASE DEBUT EP
KNOW NO LEASH
ROCK-LEANING FOCUS TRACK
“TAKEN FOR A RIDE”
Above: Coleman Jennings and the Roaddogs; credit: Abigail Enright
L to R: Finn Dickens, Jake Boswell, Coleman Jennings, Bob Troyer
NASHVILLE, TN (January 27, 2023) — Characterized by seamless vibrato, tranquil tones, narrative-driven lyrics and euphonious arrangements, Austin-based alternative country band — Coleman Jennings and the Roaddogs — have created a vigorous and distinct sound. Resembling that of traditional outlaw country paired with the upbeat progressions of classic rock and the fervent nature of folk and blues; the 4-piece outfit has managed to fashion a sound that is inherently familiar, yet undeniably fresh. A sound that effortlessly translates on their highly anticipated debut EP, Know No Leash, out today.
With emphasis on the release of the EP’s focus track, “Taken For a Ride” — a hard-hitting tune with a bluesy rock toe-tapping guitar riff — Coleman notes: “is an ode to the ‘old Austin,’” the city where he grew up that has changed immensely as a result of its rapid growth.
“‘Taken For a Ride’ is about feeling out of place in your own city,” he admits. “The song was the first one me and the Roaddogs ever worked on. We were all sitting in a torn up dorm room when I started playing the main guitar riff. Bob put down an awesome baseline and Jenko came in on the drums. It was one of the most natural songs we ever created.”
Listen to “Taken For a Ride” here. Listen to Know No Leash here.
Ahead of the EP’s release, Coleman Jennings and the Roaddogs released a string of singles such as “Sunshine,” “Head Spinnin’” and “Highwayman” — which have been spotlighted by the likes of Entertainment Tonight, Americana Highways, and Spotify’s official “New Music Friday Country” playlist. Futhermore, in just a few months the new band has accumulated an impressive 75,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
With every song written, composed and produced by frontman, Coleman Jennings — the four-piece outfit attracted immediate attention, finding themselves in a handful of “Most Anticipated Albums of 2023” roundups, including Saving Country Music and Wide Open Country. Additionally, the band has been recognized for their cohesive and electric live performances, including a recent showcase on FOX 7’s Good Day Austin.
Composed of Coleman Jennings (vocals, lead guitar), Finn Dickens (piano), Jake Boswell “Jenko” (drums) and Bob Troyer (bass), Coleman formed “the Roaddogs” during his sophomore year at the University of Texas at Austin. Characterized by seamless vibrato, tranquil tones, narrative-driven lyrics and euphonious arrangements, they began recording Know No Leash in April of 2022 at Moon Lab Studios in Dripping Springs, TX.
Above: ‘Know No Leash’ EP artwork
“With no producer, I can make every musical decision myself. Every guitar lick, every key change, every chord progression is my own,” says Coleman. “The band operates their instruments with full independence. We’re not opposed to signing a record deal or working with others, in-fact we would love to. But for now… this feels right.”
Through consistent vocal lessons and an almost unhealthy obsession with guitar since the age of five, Coleman has managed to generate a quality of wiseness and authenticity that expands far beyond his young age of 21. Throughout his childhood, he rigorously devoted himself to music by honing in on the guitar, his passion for singing and songwriting. Completing his last two years of high school at an East Coast boarding school, he notes being stripped away from his southern comfort zone as resulting in a heighted obsession for guitar and the inception of a momentous period of growth and transformation, which initiated a chapter of tremendous artistic self-discovery.
Reflecting on his sleepless nights and rigor of his craft, Coleman confides: “It was the uncomfortable circumstances of boarding school that made me cling to the guitar as a way to find peace.” Additionally, Coleman notes the music of artists such as Jim Croce, Blake Foley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Marcus King, The Eagles and The Allman Brothers Band played a crucial role in getting him through this chapter of his life.
He identifies the catalyst moment of his transition from classical singing to finding his natural voice and personal style in March of 2020 – a time that needs no further explanation – when he left high school and was separated from choir for the first time. After struggling to overcome the years of vocal muscle memory from classical singing, he joined a cover band in June 2021 and had a breakthrough.
“I did not try to sing this way or any type of way at all,” says Coleman. “I just sang whatever came naturally and it came out of me like it wasn’t even mine at first. Talk-singing has always been my favorite style to listen to, and so I thank God I found a voice that I can associate with and love. I feel like the tone of my voice represents all that I stand for.”