The Ransom Brothers

There’s no mistaking Austin band The Ransom Brothers’ major musical influence; those slide and twinned guitar riffs, fierce fiddle solos and bluesy, soul-infused melodies pay proud homage to the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and other ’70s Southern rockers, though the band also pledges allegiance to red dirt, outlaw and outlier country, jam bands. But it’s definitely their own musical chops and songwriting skills on display in each track of their debut album, Resurgence. “Our goal has always been to be ourselves and write and play what inspires us,” says lead singer and guitarist Sean McHargue, who formed the band with fellow Texas State University graduate Daniel “Sal” Solis (guitars, mandolin). They were a duo when they came up with the name, inspired by Jimmy Stewart’s character in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, but have since added bassist Phil Eckhardt, drummer Aaron English, fiddler John Thomas and keyboardist James Rodman. “We all have our own styles and nobody tells anyone what to do; we just throw shit in the wok and see if it comes out crispy. It usually does,” says Solis. But the blend of past and present on Resurgence is intended to serve as more than the band’s calling card: They also hope to reinvigorate some musical corners that have gone little stale. “We want this album to be a shot in the arm. A breath of fresh air,” McHargue says. “A resurgence.”