Judah & the Lion

Judah & the Lion are an American alternative and folk band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2011. The band is made up of Judah Akers (vocals, guitar), Brian Macdonald (mandolin, vocals), and Nate Zuercher (banjo, vocals).

Judah & the Lion
Judah & the Lion performing in 2017
Background information
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.[1]
Genres
Years active2011 (2011)–present[1]
LabelsIndependent
Websitejudahandthelion.com
Members
  • Judah Akers
  • Brian Macdonald
  • Nate Zuercher
Past members
  • Spencer Cross

History

The original members of the band met while attending Belmont University in Nashville.[4] At Belmont, Akers was a baseball player, Zuercher was studying the banjo, and Macdonald was studying the mandolin.[5] The band won Belmont's 2012 Best of the Best competition.[6] The band released their first EP, First Fruits, on June 19, 2012.[7]

Judah & the Lion released the EP Sweet Tennessee on April 16, 2013. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart,[8] No. 9 on the Heatseekers Albums chart,[9] and No. 15 on the Folk Albums chart.[9] In 2014, the band opened for Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.[10]

The band released their debut full-length studio album, Kids These Days, on September 9, 2014; it entered Billboard's Heatseekers chart at No. 2 and the Folk Albums chart at No. 4 in its debut week. During their touring schedule in support of Kids These Days, Judah & the Lion opened for Mat Kearney and Ben Rector.[11][12] During their headlining tour, they performed for the first time in Sweden in 2015 and wrote a song for their fans titled "Stockholm", which would be included on their next album Folk Hop n’ Roll.[13] They performed on Late Show with David Letterman on February 20, 2015.[14]

Judah & the Lion released their second studio album, Folk Hop n' Roll, on March 4, 2016, putting them at No. 3 on the Alternative New Artist Chart. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 7 on the Billboard Americana/Folk Albums chart, and No. 17 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. The album's sound was a mix of Americana, club pop, and hip-hop, which was polarizing to some of their longtime fans.[5] In November 2016, Judah & the Lion released the Take It All Back 2.0 + Stockholm EP. The single "Take It All Back" reached No. 19 on the Hot AC Chart and No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart for three consecutive weeks. The single was certified gold in September 2017[5] and platinum in October 2019.[15] Like Kids These Days, Folk Hop n' Roll was produced by Dave Cobb. Cobb recorded the songs in a series of quick takes, aiming for performances that sounded real and raw rather than polished and perfect. The recording was completed in two weeks. The songs on Folk Hop n' Roll incorporate fuzz bass, hip hop percussion and distorted banjo riffs.

In January 2017, Billboard magazine named Judah & the Lion their first "Chartbreaker" artist.[16] The same month, on January 12, 2017, the band made an appearance on Conan.[17][18] Other television appearances in 2017 included The Late Late Show with James Corden on March 14, Good Morning America on June 5, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 18.

The band toured the US, Canada and Europe in support of Folk Hop n' Roll. They made festival appearances at Bonnaroo, SunFest, Firefly, Governors Ball, Music Midtown,[19] and Hangout Fest. They opened for Twenty One Pilots on their Emotional Roadshow Tour,[5] Incubus and Jimmy Eat World on the 8 Tour in the US,[20] and Kaleo's Express Tour in Canada and Europe.[21]

Judah & the Lion headed back into the studio in early 2017 to record four new songs dubbed the Going to Mars Collection, which, when combined with Folk Hop n' Roll, make up Folk Hop n' Roll Deluxe. On March 10, 2017, Folk Hop n' Roll Deluxe was released. The rebooted version of the album includes the band's string quartet arrangement of "Take It All Back", "Suit and Jacket", which peaked at No. 4 on the Alternative Radio charts, and "Going to Mars", which peaked at No. 17 on the Alternative Radio charts.[22]

The band released their third album, Pep Talks, on May 3, 2019.[23] The album's seventeen songs explore thematic elements such as divorce and alcoholism intermixed with tracks covering lighter topics.[23] It peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200[24] and No. 3 on the Alternative Albums chart,[25] and features tracks with Kacey Musgraves and Jon Bellion.[26] The single "Over My Head" reached No. 10 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, and "Why Did You Run?" reached No. 11 on Alternative Songs.[22] The majority of the songs were written while the band was on the road touring on their previous album.[27] The style of the album includes elements of folk, hip-hop, pop, and EDM.[27] Leading up to the album's release, the band played it on tour, also telling stories about its creation.[23] The album was produced by the band, alongside Drew Long and Daniel James.[28] Nashville Lifestyles Magazine praised Pep Talks, with writer Luke Levenson commenting, "The record is intensely personal, remitting lyrics and sensibilities born out of Akers' family struggles, but it's also typically innovative—giving folk instruments new latitude through hip-hop-leaning beat and avant-pop accessibility."[29]

On August 8, 2019, the band added an eighteenth song, "Let Go", which was simultaneously announced as ESPN's College Football Anthem for the 2019 season.[30] "Why Did You Run?" was included on the EA Sports FIFA 20 soundtrack,[31] and "Alright" was included on the EA Sports NHL 20 soundtrack.[32] The single "Never Give Up on You" was released on February 21, 2020, as the official club anthem of the Major League Soccer team Nashville SC.[33]

The band performed on Today in May 2019,[34] Late Night with Seth Meyers on May 2, 2019,[35] and Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 19, 2019.[36] From July to November 2019, the band toured the US, Canada, and the UK.[26] They performed at Lollapalooza,[37] Hangout Music Festival,[38] Forecastle Festival,[39] Outside Lands,[40] and Austin City Limits.[41]

Members

Current members[1]

  • Judah Akers – guitar, lead vocals
  • Brian Macdonald – mandolin, backing vocals
  • Nate Zuercher – banjo, backing vocals

Past members

  • Spencer Cross – drums

Discography

Albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[24]		 US
Folk		 US
Heat		 US
Alt[25]
Kids These Days 102 4[42] 2[43] —
Folk Hop n' Roll
  • Released: March 4, 2016
  • Label: Cletus the Van
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
 — 7[44] 2[44] 4[44]
Pep Talks
  • Released: May 3, 2019[45]
  • Label: Cletus the Van
 18 — — 3

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Blue		 US
Folk		 US
Heat
First Fruits
  • Released: June 19, 2012
  • Label: Judah & the Lion
  • Formats: Digital download
 — — —
Sweet Tennessee
  • Released: April 16, 2013
  • Label: Judah & the Lion
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 2[8] 15[9] 9[9]
Pep Talks Remix EP
  • Released: March 20, 2020
  • Label: Cletus the Van Records
  • Formats: Digital download
 — — —

Singles
List of singles, with showing year released, peak chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Alt.
[22]		 US
Rock
[46]
"Rich Kids" 2014 —— Kids These Days
"Mason-Dixon Line" ——
"Graffiti Dreams" 2016 —— Folk Hop n' Roll
"Take It All Back" 16
"Suit and Jacket" 2017 416
"Going to Mars" 2018 17—
"Over My Head"[48] 2019 1030 Pep Talks
"Pictures"
(featuring Kacey Musgraves)[49]		 —44
"Why Did You Run?" 1122
"Never Give Up On You"[50] 2020 — — non-album single
"Beautiful Anyway" 26 — non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations
Year Award Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards Judah & the Lion Alternative Rock Artist of the Year Nominated [51]
Best New Artist Nominated
Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist Won
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References
  1. Judah & the Lion (December 12, 2011). "Judah & the Lion - About". Facebook. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  2. Ruehl, Kim (July 2, 2013). "ABOUT TO BREAK: Judah and the Lion". The Bluegrass Situation. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  3. Hamm, Josh (April 26, 2013). "Judah & The Lion - Sweet Tennessee". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  4. Weaver, Renae (February 1, 2017). "Nothing but Authenticity and Folk Hop: A Conversation with Judah & the Lion". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  5. Stewart, Allison (March 22, 2018). "Judah and the Lion divided old-school fans, but made the right call". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  6. Johnson, Claudia (June 3, 2014). "Judah Akers: Lead vocalist and guitarist for Judah and the Lion". Upper Cumberland Business Journal. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  7. "Judah & The Lion - First Fruits EP". Indie Vision Music. July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  8. Billboard.biz (May 4, 2013). "Folk Albums : May 4, 2013". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  9. Allmusic (2013). "Sweet Tennessee - Judah & the Lion : Awards". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  10. Johnson, Claudia (June 3, 2014). "Judah Akers: Lead vocalist and guitarist for Judah and the Lion". Upper Cumberland Business Journal. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  11. "Judah & the Lion Announce US Tour with Mat Kearney and Parachute". Guitar World. January 29, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  12. Race, Victoria (September 24, 2015). "Interview – Judah & the Lion". Kryptonite. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  13. "Track By Track: Judah & The Lion - 'Folk Hop N Roll'". Clash. October 31, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  14. McMillan, Bob (February 20, 2015). "Judah and the Lion to perform on David Letterman". Herald-Citizen. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  15. Nicholson, Jessica. "Judah & The Lion Celebrates Platinum Certification". Music Row. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  16. Hyman, Dan (January 19, 2017). "Chartbreaker: Judah & the Lion Talk Their Surprise Chart Hit & Opening for Twenty One Pilots". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  17. Team Coco (January 13, 2017). "Judah & The Lion "Take It All Back 2.0" 01/12/17 - CONAN on TBS". Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  18. Likens, Terri (January 12, 2017). "Judah and the Lion to play on Conan". Herald Citizen. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  19. Oyer, Kalyn (October 11, 2017). "Judah & the Lion love vacationing in Charleston, bringing positive energy to their music". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  20. Szanter, Ashley (August 10, 2017). "Review: Incubus, Jimmy Eat World, and Judah & the Lion". Salt Lake Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  21. BWW News Desk. "Judah & The Lion Announce 2017 Tour w/ Twenty One Pilots". Broadway World. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  22. "Judah & The Lion Chart History – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  23. Hudelson, Molly (May 7, 2019). "Judah & the Lion on 'Pep Talks' and choosing hope in the midst of pain". Substream Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  24. "Judah & the Lion Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  25. "Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  26. Quiles, Alyssa (May 2, 2019). "Judah & the Lion Hope to Spread Love, Understanding With New Record". Alt Press. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  27. Levenson, Luke (June 12, 2019). "Judah and the Lion". Nashville Lifestyles. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  28. Niesel, Jeff (August 8, 2019). "Judah & the Lion Comes to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica Next Week in Support of a Highly Personal New Album". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  29. Levenson, Luke (June 12, 2019). "Judah and the Lion". Nashville Lifestyles. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  30. Phillips, Amy (August 7, 2019). "Judah & the Lion's "Let Go" Chosen as ESPN's New College Football Anthem for 2019-20 Season". ESPN Press Room. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  31. "FIFA 20 soundtrack: Artists, songs & music on new game, reveal date". Goal. March 27, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  32. "Judah & The Lion share 'Alright' ahead of UK headline tour". Vents. November 1, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  33. "Nashville SC official club anthem by Judah & the Lion released ahead of MLS opener". MLS Soccer. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  34. "Quarter-Life Triumph: Judah and the Lion on Turning Insecurity and Family Drama Into Alt-Folk Jock Jams". Billboard. May 21, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  35. "Judah & the Lion: Over my head". YouTube. May 2, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  36. "Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Judah and the Lion – Over My Head". ABC. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  37. Catanese, David (August 6, 2019). "Lollapalooza's best undercard acts: Judah & the Lion, Madeon & more". Variance. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  38. Holthouse, Jerry (December 17, 2018). "Judah & The Lion Back With Multi-Track Single". Nashville.com. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  39. Miller, John (September 9, 2019). "Judah & the Lion Bring Pep Talks to Paristown". Louisville Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  40. "Outside Lands Festival". Grateful Web. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  41. Ramirez, Ramon (October 12, 2019). "We found ACL's thirstiest band: It's Judah and the Lion". Austin 360. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  42. "Folk Music: Top Folk Albums | Billboard: Sep 27, 2014 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. September 27, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  43. "Heatseeker Albums : Sep 27, 2014 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. September 27, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  44. "Folk Hop n' Roll - Judah & the Lion | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  45. "Judah and the Lion Confirm New Album". WWYY. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  46. "Judah & The Lion Chart History – Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  47. "American single certifications – Judah and the Lion – Take It All Back". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  48. "Judah & the Lion Drops New Single OVER MY HEAD". Broadway World. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  49. Berenson, Sam. "Judah & The Lion Release New Single 'Pictures' With Kacey Musgraves". LiveForLiveMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  50. "New music from Judah & The Lion! Listen to "Never Give Up On You."". Radio 104.5. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  51. "2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List of Nominee". iHeartRadio. January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
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