Article Contributed by Sacks and Company
Published on 2026-03-06
Photo: Courtesy of Sterling Elza
Rising Texas rocker Sterling Elza’s highly anticipated new EP Bag of Bones is out now via Santa Anna Nashville; stream/purchase HERE and watch the official music video for “Happy Pills,” directed by Ry Shorosky, HERE.
Of the EP, Elza shares, “We’ve had this project in the back pocket for a while now, so I’m really excited to get it out to the world. I’m really proud of the steps the guys and I have taken behind the scenes to keep moving this band in the right direction and get this EP ready. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
With production work from Andrew Baylis (Jelly Roll, Koe Wetzel), Nathan Hanna and Elza, Bag of Bones consists of five new songs that continue to showcase Elza’s signature sound: a seamless blend of the grit and soul of his Red Dirt influences with the raw edge of classic rock. Ahead of the release Elza shared “Pick Your Reason,” which received support from Apple Music’s The New Rock and Breaking Rock playlists as well as Spotify’s All New Country and Gravel playlists, alongside an official music video which debuted at #1 on the Apple Music Rock video chart.
In celebration of the new music Elza will perform headline dates across Texas, including newly confirmed stops at Garland’s Garland City Square, Waco’s The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, and an appearance at Hot Rods & High Heels at Houston’s Space Houston Garage before joining Dexter and The Moonrocks for select dates in the spring. See below for the complete tour itinerary.
The new music follows Elza’s recent collaboration with Giovannie & the Hired Guns on the single “Never Gonna Quit” and the deluxe edition of Elza’s debut album, Simpler Days. Since its release in August 2024, the album has surpassed 130 million streams and entered Apple Music’s Top 25 Rock Albums. The deluxe edition adds eight new songs, including Elza’s singles “Happy Never After” and “Next Week,” the latter earning over 37.4 million streams.
The album was remixed by David Baker (Billie Eilish, Jelly Roll, Big Sean) and remastered by Greg Calbi (Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Bob Dylan), who also mixed and mastered the new tracks. The deluxe material was showcased in Elza’s recent Jam in the Van session; watch/share it HERE.
The 22-year-old has already received critical acclaim, with Country Central raving, “the red dirt scene is about to act up again and Sterling Elza is here to lead that charge,” and Whiskey Riff calling Elza “a name from the Texas scene you need to familiarize yourself with.”
Originally from Texas and born into a family steeped in musical tradition, Elza began playing guitar at age five, crafting a sound influenced by classic Red Dirt, Top 40 country, grunge and rock. After spending three years at Florida’s IMG Academy pursuing professional tennis, the sudden loss of his uncle prompted Elza to return to Texas and fully dedicate himself to music.
Now based in New Braunfels and backed by a five-piece band, Elza continues to develop his powerful, dynamic sound that positions him as one of rock’s most promising emerging artists.
1. Pick Your Reason
2. Wasted
3. Temporary Sanity
4. Happy Pills
5. Race
March 7 — Helotes, TX — John T. Floore’s Country Store
March 13 — Cedar Park, TX — Haute Spot
March 14 — Waco, TX — The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill
March 20 — Buda, TX — Buck’s Backyard
March 27 — Coupland, TX — Coupland Dancehall
March 28 — Houston, TX — Space Houston Garage
April 9 — Jacksonville, FL — Decca Live*
April 10 — Gainesville, FL — Heartwood Soundstage*
April 12 — Sanford, FL — Tuffy’s Bottle Shop*
April 16 — Myrtle Beach, SC — The Landing at The Boathouse*
April 18 — Columbia, SC — The Senate*
April 19 — Chattanooga, TN — The Signal*
June 19 — Bloomington, IL — Tailgate N’ Tallboys 2026
July 8 — Chicago, IL — Windy City Smokeout 2026
August 7 — Oshkosh, WI — XRoads41
*with Dexter and the Moonrocks
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