GTRB TAPS JIM LOUGHLIN OF MOE. FOR FEATURE IN “RUSSIAN DRAGON”, SETS SIGHTS ON 10-DATE SOUTHEAST TOUR

Article Contributed by Kevin Negron | Published on Saturday, August 23, 2025

Good Trees River Band (GTRB) is proud to share their new single, Russian Dragon, featuring Jim Loughlin of moe. Out now on all major streaming platforms.

As the follow-up to the title track Blowin’ Smoke from their upcoming album Blowin’ Smoke, due out October 17, the track indelibly demonstrates the type of versatility fans can come to expect from the rising quartet. Whereas Blowin’ Smoke was a southern rock and blues adventure, Russian Dragon breaks into a combination of psych, funk, and percussive-forward rock. The fully instrumental track is complemented perfectly by masterful vibraphone and percussion work by Jim Loughlin, who offered an exclusive quote to Grateful Web on working with GTRB:

“It was so awesome to work with Good Trees River Band on their single Russian Dragon. The song itself is fantastic. It just flows so well and has a great feel to it. I felt lucky because on this track I got to take a vibes solo as well as trade fours with Gavin during a really nice percussion break. It’s so cool to get to experience a new up-and-coming band in our scene. I’ve been in this music scene for 30-plus years, and it was truly an honor to get to work with these guys.”

While the entire band has been influenced by moe., Russian Dragon was especially a benchmark project for GTRB’s percussionist/vocalist Gavin Gebhardt:

“It’s a crazy surreal dream come true to be putting out a song with Jim from moe. I’ve listened to so many shows and records and was in awe of them as a teen. It’s been very validating to work with him and makes me feel we’re on the right path.”

To celebrate Blowin’ Smoke, GTRB is hitting the road for a 10-date late summer tour, kicking off with a five-night run in Key West, FL, including stops at General Horseplay (9/9), The Green House (9/10), and three nights at the iconic Green Parrot (9/12–9/14). The tour continues with shows in Wilmington, NC, at Jimmy’s (9/18), Macon, GA, at Grant’s Lounge (9/19), and Raleigh, NC, at The Pour House (9/21), with additional dates to be announced. Full details on the band’s official site.

Signed to Nashville-based Gitcha Records, Good Trees River Band is poised to make waves with Blowin’ Smoke. Fans can also look forward to the third single, The Candle, dropping September 19.