LA Music Review | Art, stories and advice
Soulful and truly heartbreaking!
Hi Stone Senate, welcome to LA Music Review! Tell us a little bit about you and your music.
Stone Senate has been called “a heavier version of Lynyrd Skynyrd, crossed with The Allman Brothers Band”.
While being mentioned in such a heady company is flattering, one thing Stone Senate is most definitely not, is a retro act. They are taking what came naturally from their collective influences a step further.
Fronted by lead vocalist/guitarist Clint Woolsey’s smoldering, soulful vocals and unmistakable stage presence, stage left and stage right are burning with dual lead guitars of James Edwards and Ted Hennington. Add to these the blood bonded rhythm section of “The Mud Brothers”- Paul Zettler on bass/vocals and David Zettler on drums/vocals and you have caught lightning in a bottle.
Having been together since 2012, the band has built a loyal following through a relentless year round touring schedule that has enabled them to widen their collective setlist of band and audience favorites, including “Right Side Up” (2014), “Martha” (2016) and “Lazy River” (2016). Also adding Country and Rock legendary songs, like the George Straits cover of “The Fireman” (2020), new original music from their EP Dusk (2021), with the singles “Whiskey Helps”, “Slow Crusade” and “Down.” Set for release in 2022 is the Toby Wright produced record, Between the Dark and the Light.
With over 600 shows throughout the US in the last few years, Stone Senate is steadily adding more and more dates each year and looking forward to some great new music in 2022!
Congrats on the release! What was your inspiration when you were writing this project?
Released on October 7, 2022. The highly acclaimed five-piece southern rock band Stone Senate releases their second EP, Dawn, seamlessly blending southern rock music sensibilities with the elements of country. The first EP series, called Dusk, was released in October of 2021 and is part of a greater vision that demonstrates their reflective approach to foreseeing both the dark and the light. The second EP, Dawn, includes six songs released on Friday, October 28, with the focus track “Always Never Fades” released on Friday, October 7.
Start streaming “Always Never Fades” here:
What is your vision for this project?
The album continues with two songs that gave fans a sneak peak at the new music in recent months.
The two singles off of the Dawn EP, “Good to Go” and “Shine,” garnered high praise for the grit and groove they bring to the southern rock category. Commended by Underground Music Collective. “As for ‘Good to Go’ the intricate guitar plucking, sweet steel guitar tones, and crisp vocal harmonies create a golden-glowing, feel-good soundscape, which underscores the relaxed delivery of singer Clint Woolsey’s soulful baritone.”
As a band based in Nashville, they convey a resurgence to the genre as they deliver soulful vocals and an unmistakable stage presence.
“These songs were written and completed while we were in the studio, which was a very different process. We had always had the songs and played the songs live for a while and then recorded them for past albums, so this was a different approach, but man did it shine with lots of emotions on this collection of tunes.”
Clint Woolsey
What is your favorite part of this body of work?
Guitarist James Edwards says, “The Dawn EP includes some of my favorite work we’ve done thus far. I think that it further displays the range and growth of the band as writers and players. The inclusion of instruments that you simply don’t hear everyday in rock ‘n’ roll also makes it a really interesting listen. What’s really cool for me is that there’s even more to come.”
As top-tier guitar players and versatile entertainers…
the latter half of the EP, brings us the focus track “Always Never Fades.” Rounding out the project, Clint says, “The song began with a really pretty riff, which became the verse, and then piece by piece, “Always Never Fades” was composed.” A few years back, the band started writing for the new album and ended up finishing this song in the process. Clint adds, “It’s a song about heartache, but with a groovin’ tempo and some really beautiful guitar and vocal harmonies to shine a little light onto the story. I’m so happy this idea from years ago found a home on this new album!”
Anything else we should know about it?
Steadily building a following through relentless year-round touring and strong streaming numbers on numerous playlists, including Apple Music’s New in Country and Country Roads, Stone Senate continues to fill venues across the country. Known for their songwriting chops and exceptional musicianship, the powerhouse band encompasses true artistry.
LA Music Review 