Tennessee Stiffs

The Stiffs—who hail not from the Volunteer State but that other roots-music Mecca, Austin, TX—dip their bucket deep into the well of American music. Warped lo-fi folk gives way to frenetic honky-tonk riff rock and gutbucket country; forlorn Americana anthems resound off Texas hillsides, and blazing Southern rock screeches like tires on the last lap of a cup-winning speedway run. Their third and most recent double concept album goes deeper still, dredging up minor-key Southern-gothic circus waltzes, spaghetti-Western vampire shuffles, and the kind of fuzz-drenched blues you’d hear wafting from a Detroit garage.

Formed in late 2011 and fueled by their eclectic musical interests, co-founders-turned-married-couple Ethan Lee and Cara B were determined to create something never heard before.

Cara’s melodies range from hauntingly beautiful to wildly soulful. Blended with Lee’s foot-stomping rhythms and gravelly vocals, the two take the “Beauty and the Beast” standard to heart.

In the beginning, the duo spent their time writing tunes and performing intimate shows, often using old books and a hat containing lines of poetry as inspiration. Each song’s characters are vividly constructed and personal, allowing for the listener to relate.

The twosome were joined by Tennessee Stiffs’ longtime rhythm section, bassist Casey Kuznieski, drummer Adrian “A.V.” Voorhies, and Sarah Millenary on fiddle. But as of 2023, Cara and Lee have re-located to Red Wing MN and will continue their musical endeavor as a duo/trio with local percussionist Jake Ricks.

After recording the debut album, "Nightery," in April 2015, the Stiffs garnered attention from all over the United States, getting airplay from coast to coast. The Akademia Music Awards gave "Nightery" the Best Americana Album Award, as well as the Editors Top Pick of 2015. Keeping up the momentum, the Stiffs toured again in ‘18 and ‘19 promoting the sophomore album, "Thirty Pieces." The waves propelled them to perform at the likes of Wildwood Festival and Salem Arts Festival in Oregon, Taos Mesa Mothership, and were humbly featured on podcasts and live radio premieres in Nashville and Knoxville TN.

In 2022, the release of the highly anticipated third album, a concept collection called “Dearly Departed”, picked up some PR with Glide agazine, Parade Magazine, Americana UK, Ditty TV, and more… click the merch link to order your album below.

Catch them roaming around the Midwest nowadays. They are now based out of Minnesota.