Music

The Band of Heathens Perform Songs From 'Country Sides' At The Current

The Current (Minnesota Public Radio)
The Current (Minnesota Public Radio)•May 15, 2026

Why It Matters

The Band of Heathens’ independent model shows that artists can achieve commercial success and longevity without label support, highlighting the power of community‑driven platforms in today’s music industry.

Key Takeaways

  • •Band of Heathens celebrate 20‑year milestone with new album 'Country Sides'.
  • •Song 'Take the Cake' tops Americana chart, reflecting DIY success.
  • •Band remains independent, self‑producing music in their own studio.
  • •Pandemic birthed Good Times Supper Club, a fan‑supported livestream series.
  • •Austin’s evolving scene stays quirky, fueling the band’s creative community.

Summary

The Current sat down with Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist of the Band of Heathens to discuss their latest release, the album “Country Sides,” and to mark two decades of the group’s existence. The conversation highlighted the band’s recent chart‑topping single “Take the Cake,” which reached No. 1 on the Americana charts, and explored how the record fits into their broader 20‑year journey.

Key insights emerged around the band’s fiercely independent approach. They record, mix, and produce everything in their own studio, eschewing label contracts and retaining full creative control. Their DIY ethic extends to fan engagement: during the pandemic they launched the Good Times Supper Club, a weekly livestream that combined music, comedy, and guest collaborations, eventually evolving into a Patreon‑supported community.

Memorable quotes underscored their philosophy: “We’re like the farmers market—organic, curated, quality,” said Jurdi, while Quist added, “If it’s fun, the answer is yes,” describing their work with Hayes Carll. The duo also joked about the human element of performance, noting, “Make sure you breathe—AI can’t do that,” a nod to the authenticity they prize.

The interview illustrates how an independent band can thrive by leveraging community, self‑production, and adaptable digital platforms. Their success challenges the notion that major label backing is essential, offering a blueprint for emerging artists and reinforcing Austin’s reputation as a fertile ground for innovative, self‑sustaining music ventures.

Original Description

Watch a full session and interview with Austin, Texas' The Band of Heathens
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Austin, Texas, act The Band of Heathens have been together for 20 years, a feat that seems all the more remarkable given their approach, which has been described as "fiercely independent" by various outlets. “I think from the beginning,” says co-founding member Gordy Quist, “there's always been a kind of, this attitude of, like, no one's going to tell us what to do, and we're going to do things on our own terms, and we're going to own it all, and we're going to own the success and the mistakes and the failures.”
It’s an attitude that has served them well, as The Band of Heathens are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album, Country Sides, and with a lead single, “Take the Cake,” that recently hit No. 1 in the Americana charts. “I don't know if we set out to make number one records as the objective,” co-founding member Ed Jurdi says, “but, you know, if you're going to be in the game and be on the radio, it's nice to win the game once in a while … And especially, just being amongst that kind of cadre of other artists in the top five or the top 10, it's always such great music and such incredible artists. So it's just nice to be in that company.”
While on tour in support of the album, The Band of Heathens visited The Current to record a session and an interview with host Bill DeVille. Watch and listen to the full session above.
Video Segments
00:00:17 Take the Cake
00:04:38 Interview with host Bill DeVille, part 1
00:12:25 Lead Don’t Follow
00:16:33 Interview with host Bill DeVille, part 2
00:19:54 Forever’s Not a Long Time
All songs from The Band of Heathens' 2026 album, Country Sides, out now.
Musicians
Gordy Quist – vocals, guitar
Ed Jurdi – vocals, guitar
Trevor Nealon – keyboards, vocals
Nick Jay – bass, vocals
Clint Simmons – drums, percussion
Credits
Guests – The @bandofheathens
Host/Producer – Bill DeVille
Audio – Josh Sauvageau
Video – Evan Clark
Camera Operators – Evan Clark, Sean Belcher
Graphics – Natalia Toledo
Digital Producer – Luke Taylor
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