Over the course of his seven-decade long career, the Virginia-born, Los Angeles based artist, songwriter and producer Swamp Dogg has firmly established himself as one of the most eccentric and influential cult figures in American music, exploring R&B, soul, and country music over the course of more than two dozen albums.

Today, the legendary artist announced Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St, his first record with Oh Boy Records that will be released on May 31. Today, Swamp Dogg released the album’s first single and opening track “Mess Under That Dress.” This Friday, March 8, the feature-length documentary Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted will premiere at SXSW before performing at Luck Reunion on March 14.


Produced by Ryan Olson (Poliça, Gayngs) and recorded with an all-star band including Noam Pikelny, Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas, Chris Scruggs, Billy Contreras, and Kenny Vaughan, the 12-song collection is a riotous blend of past and present, mixing the sacred and the profane in typical Swamp Dogg fashion as it blurs the lines between folk, roots, country, blues, and soul. Special guests like Margo Price, Vernon Reid, Jenny Lewis, Justin Vernon, and The Cactus Blossoms all add to the excitement, but it’s ultimately the 81-year-old Swamp Dogg’s delivery—sly and playful and full of genuine joy and ache—that steals the show.