The debut album from The River South

Follow the Light

Soul-inflected roots music for a sunny afternoon. Songs written in Ashland, Oregon and recorded in Austin, Texas.

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Released June 1, 2018 · Recorded in Austin, Texas

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Now playing Follow the Light

    Videos & singles

    Start with these

    Official video

    No Medicine

    The single that introduced the album, with dancing by Fuad.

    Watch on YouTube
      Krister Axel, seated against a dark studio backdrop
      Krister Axel · words and music

      About

      Roots music with real grooves

      The River South is a roots project led by singer and songwriter Krister Axel. This is folk music with real drum grooves and a mix of instruments that includes acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and clavinet.

      The songs on Follow the Light were written in Ashland, Oregon, then recorded at Austin Signal in Austin, Texas, in October 2017. Roots music made in Austin, using beer, yoga, and whisky.

      A new lineup

      The River South has a brand-new band. Introductions are coming soon.

      Press

      Press

      “Our sound is roots-based,” Axel says. “There are elements of folk, a little bit of country, and straight rock ’n’ roll. It’s very acoustic and American sounding, blues-based music. There are layers of folk influences with three-part harmonies on a few of the songs. That’s my favorite sound: when it’s really sort of thick, the choruses jump out because there’s some harmony there.

      Mail Tribune · Laurie Heuston · June 2018 · Read the article (archived copy)

      From the small, rustic town of Ashland, Oregon comes the melody-heavy roots rock of the band The River South. Employing soft melodies, slick guitars, a bit of spit and grit, and clear influences from folk, country, blues and Americana (thus, roots rock), founder, guitarist, and singer/songwriter Krister Axel‘s new single Holland Park Road echoes recent personal struggles and two decades of working in the DIY music scene.

      Indie Rock Cafe · Kate Stevens · June 2016 · Read the article (archived copy)

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