Texas country folk-rock band Briscoe have released their new album Heat of July via ATO Records. Produced by Brad Cook (MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats), the record marks a major sonic leap for lifelong friends Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman, the Austin-based duo known for their signature intertwined vocals and relentless touring alongside acts like Noah Kahan and Dave Matthews Band. Listen HERE
The band recently premiered their newest single, “Saving Grace”—a harmony-rich, emotionally steeped track that captures the singular experience of loving someone in a way unlike anything you’ve ever known. Rolling Stone premiered the single in an in-depth profile, praising the album: “Heat of July is as much about leaving a comfort zone as it is about seeing the world through a windshield.”
Listen to single HERE] / Watch music video HERE
“It’s about that feeling that’s almost too good to be true—and doing everything you can to hold onto it,” says co-founder Truett Heintzelman on “Saving Grace.” “With its anthemic, harmony-filled chorus, we hope everyone is lucky enough to have a similar experience of their own.”
Briscoe are currently out on a headline U.S. tour this fall, including a stop at the Austin City Limits Festival in October. (Full tour dates below.)
Working with Cook, Briscoe assembled what they call a “folk supergroup” of musicians for the album, including Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) and studio players who have performed with Bon Iver, Houndmouth, and Hiss Golden Messenger. With sweeping arrangements and vivid storytelling, Heat of July elevates Briscoe’s raw, rootsy foundation into a polished folk-rock masterwork—a new sound for a fully formed duo chasing down a broader horizon.
The album was largely written on the road, as the duo traveled across North America, playing everywhere from Canada to Cancun.
“We learned how to write music from behind the wheel,” says Philip. “Coming up with melodies in our heads without a guitar or piano nearby was a necessity during those tours. We were on the road so much that we had to become more mobile with the creative process.”
The record is also a snapshot of major life changes: both Philip and Truett married longtime partners in the wake of their debut West of It All’s success, which produced accolades including a Top 40 placement on the Triple A chart and #25 on the Americana Singles chart with “The Well.” Those family milestones echo across the songs, written during desert drives through Arizona and long stretches away from home.
Inspired by the brutal summer heat of West Texas, the album title nods to the region’s climate but widens into a panoramic view of the American landscape. Lupton, an ex-geology student, ties his passion for landscapes to their songwriting:
“Driving through Arizona is like being a kid in a candy store for me,” Philip reflects. “We’ll always write songs inspired by that landscape, but we’ve learned how to tell more personal stories with our music, too. We’re talking about our wives, our relationships, and our family trees. We’re really wearing our hearts on our sleeves when we’re writing.”
There’s more touring ahead, including Americanafest in September and ACL Fest in October, with dates stretching into December. For Briscoe, Heat of July may be the ticket out of town, but it’s also a love letter to the landscape and people who continue to inspire them.
Heat of July Tracklist
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Saving Grace
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Arizona Shining
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Roughnecks
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Heat of July
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Escudilla
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Adeline
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Blue Eyes and Red Wine
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Leaving California
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Flashlights in the Canyon
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Free
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Mexican Eagles
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Is This Where
Tour Dates
Oct 3 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
Oct 3 – Austin, TX – The Continental Club (ACL Fest Nights)*
Oct 17 – Austin, TX – Central Machine Works
Oct 25 – Port Aransas, TX – Sip Yard
Oct 30 – Houston, TX – House of Blues~
Nov 1 – Dallas, TX – Echo Lounge~
Nov 4 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren~
Nov 5 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour~
Nov 6 – San Diego, CA – SOMA~
Nov 7 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory~
Nov 8 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater~
Nov 9 – Folsom, CA – Folsom Saloon
Nov 12 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall~
Nov 14 – Vancouver, BC – The Commodore Ballroom~
Nov 15 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDO~
Nov 16 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom~
Nov 17 – Boise, ID – The Knitting Factory~
Nov 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room~
Nov 20 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre^
Nov 21 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre^
Nov 22 – Manitou Springs, CO – Lulu’s Downstairs^
Dec 4 – Tyler, TX – Stanley’s BBQ
Dec 5 – Waco, TX – The Backyard
Dec 6 – San Antonio, TX – Sam’s Burger Joint
* w/ Leon III
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w/ Miles Miller
~ supporting The 502s
^ w/ Nathaniel Riley
