Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Evans.
Hi Isaiah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I guess it all started with The Midnight Special, a 70’s rock cover band I was in with some friends. That band eventually ended but along the way, I had been writing these songs that I didn’t know what to do with. I decided that they were at least good enough to record some basic demos. So, I called up my old bandmate and friend, Tim Cooper, who had a recording rig, I laid down some simple tracks, just guitar, and vocals. We played them back and I just felt there was something there to work with.
With Tim on bass, I started piecing together a band. We tried a few drummers, all very talented but no one stuck. The problem was we had agreed to debut the band at Adair’s Saloon opening for Dead Flowers and we still didn’t have our drum situation squared away. So, just about 2 days before the show, I asked Robert Anderson (who had been in The Midnight Special with us) to fill in on drums and he’s been with us ever since.
At that point, we were a 4-piece with Paul Overbey on lead guitar and the songs were coming together but something was missing. I wasn’t getting that roots rock and roll sound I wanted. I knew I needed a sax player and had decided that I wanted a baritone sax as opposed to a tenor. Every rock and roll/rhythm and blues band had a tenor sax. I wanted something that would set The 40 Acre Mule apart. So, we added Chris Evetts.
Around this time, the band was ready to start recording. We were working with John Pedigo who was producing and eventually stepped in for Paul on guitar. That changed everything. His producer’s ear and style of play took the songs to the next level. We started dialing in our sound and eventually released Good Night & Good Luck on State Fair Records in 2019.
Fortunately, the album did very well with the critics and landed on the Americana Album Charts, We played shows with Old 97’s, Reverend Horton Heat, JD McPherson, Charley Crockett, and more great artists. Now, we’re signed to Atomic Music Group, touring nationally and working on our new record.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It probably would have been easier for us to start this when we were younger. When you’re 23, riding in a cramped van across the country, being away from home for weeks on end, eating leftover pizza, and sleeping on floors is nothing. Touring is a little tougher in your 40’s. The time away from home and families and day jobs. it takes a toll.
You also have to get a thick skin in this business. We heard “NO” a lot before we started hearing “YES”. We were rejected by record labels, booking agencies, and talent buyers… you name it. You start to doubt what you’re doing. It gets really easy for that ol’ devil Negativity to creep in. Resilience is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned from rock and roll.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We’re a 5-piece roots rock and roll band born out of rhythm and blues. We took the sound of traditional rock and roll, soul, rockabilly, and country and ended up with something that we think is pretty special. Rolling Stone said our “revivalist boogie-woogie points to a healthy appreciation for 20th-century rock & rollers like Chuck Berry”. I love those comparisons. We’re proud to stand on those shoulders.
At the same time, I think what we do builds on that sound in a way that is familiar but our own. When you come to see The 40 Acre Mule live, it’s everything that scared the squares back in the day… a little dangerous but a whole lotta fun.
Any big plans?
We did a good deal of touring last year and plan on even more in 2023 as we get ready to release our 2nd album. The first single should be ready early next year along with a few surprises along the way. Some things are in the works that we’re excited about and can’t wait to share with our friends and fans!
Contact Info:
- Website: the40acremule.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the40acremule/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/40acremule
- Twitter: @40_acre
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDutQbXPvns
Image Credits
Casey Kinney and Joshua Lohrman
