Austin-based Americana folk-rock band Briscoe share their take on “Hold On” by Alabama Shakes and the Blaze Foley classic “Clay Pigeons” which was made famous by legendary singer-songwriter John Prine. The songs are accompanied by a behind the scenes look at the recording process of “Hold On” live from the studio.
“Brittany Howard is a once in a lifetime type of talent, and Alabama Shakes has quickly cemented themselves as one of the best modern rock bands around. I remember hearing “Hold On” for the first time on Sirius XM’s “The Spectrum” in the early 2010’s and it’s been one of our favorites ever since. It was a dang good time giving such an awesome tune a touch of the Hill Country Sound!.
As for “Clay Pigeons”, we’re simply not sure there’s a better written song. Blaze Foley’s ability to convey the tragedy and hardship of his life through beautifully written songs is second to none. It’s certainly a lofty feat to cover a song of this stature, but our hope is to honor the life and the work of one of the greatest songwriters this world has ever seen” says Truett Heintzelman of the covers.
The band will also feature at the annual Austin City Limits music festival this October. Briscoe, which is comprised of UT Austin Alumni Philip Lupton & Truett Heintzelman continue to evolve as their adventurous songwriting narrows the gap between classic American roots music and its modern-day incarnation. These latest covers follow a recent live EP featuring songs from the band’s debut album ‘West of It All’ which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Brad Cook (Bon Iver, The War on Drugs, Waxahachie) and their first self-titled EP. The collection also includes a rare cover of “Never Been To Spain”, made famous by the 60s group Three Dog Night.
From free backyard performances on the outskirts of UT Austin's campus to sold-out gigs at Stubb’s, Briscoe's growth — like the group's music itself — has been organic. Bandmates Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton built their grassroots following the old-school way: by carving out a sound that nodded to the golden era of folk, rock, and pop music, then getting onstage and building a genuine relationship with their audience. That authenticity led to opening slots for Caamp, Dave Matthews and Zach Bryan. Signed by ATO Records while still pursuing undergraduate degrees as college students, the Texas natives wrote ‘West of It All’ as graduation loomed in the distance, funneling the stories of their college experience — from heartbreak to hard-won lessons to weekend trips into the rural countryside — into a raw, rugged blend of classic and contemporary influences.
Listen to Hold On / Clay Pigeons HERE
Watch BTS studio footage of Hold On HERE
