Moreland & Arbuckle - Direct-To-Disc Sessions Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 [Vinyl] (2014)

All tracks were recorded live, direct-to-disc at Blue Heaven Studios, Salina, Kansas.

Guitarist Aaron Moreland and harpist/vocalist Dustin Arbuckle have fashioned an old/new 21st century roots sound by merging several American musical strains, from blues, folk, and country to rock and soul, and when at their best, they do it all with a raw and energetic passion. Moreland and Arbuckle met at an open-mike session at a club in Wichita, Kansas in 2001, and since both were exploring country blues, they began playing together, starting a quartet called the Kingsnakes. Personnel came and went in the band, including drummer Brad Horner, who joined the Kingsnakes in 2003 but didn't stick around long. Hanging on to a bassist proved to be a problem, but when Horner returned in 2006, Moreland and Arbuckle realized that they didn't really need a bassist, and the current trio took shape.

Three self-produced albums quickly followed -- Caney Valley Blues in 2005, Floyd's Market in 2006, and 1861 in 2008. All three releases garnered critical attention and Moreland & Arbuckle signed with Telarc International, which released Flood in 2010. Issued in 2011, Just a Dream featured a guest spot from guitarist Steve Cropper. Horner left in 2012 and was replaced by Kendall Newby. The revamped trio emerged with 7 Cities in 2013, produced by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, the Sword). The band toured almost nonstop for the next two years, headlining their own club, small theater, and festival dates across the United States, Canada, and Europe. During a break, they signed to Chicago's Alligator Records and entered Omaha, Nebraska's Arc Studios with Bayles to record their debut for the label. Promised Land or Bust was released in the spring of 2016, preceded by the single "When the Lights Are Burning Low." ~Steve Leggett