In the heart of St. Louis, where the Mississippi River carves its path through the Midwest, Nick Gusman and the Coyotes are crafting a sound as robust and unyielding as the city’s iconic Gateway Arch. With their forthcoming album, Lifting Heavy Things, set to drop on December 7, 2024, this true-grit Americana outfit is poised to leave an indelible mark on the alt-country landscape.
Gusman’s songwriting prowess has been turning heads and pricking up ears across the USA and beyond. His ability to weave profound themes of love, identity, and freedom into lyrics about the every day – from stray dogs to river boats – has garnered him a passionate and growing fanbase. As Daniel Hill of the Riverfront Times puts it, “Gusman has a knack for writing songs that are instantly memorable and relatable.”
The band’s sound is a potent cocktail of telecaster twang, howling fiddle, and rock ‘n’ roll energy, all underpinned by Gusman’s spirited vocals and incisive lyrics. It’s a concoction that’s earned them comparisons to genre pioneers like Uncle Tupelo and The Bottle Rockets, with Gusman and the Coyotes proudly carrying the torch for the next generation of alt-country bands.
The title track, “Lifting Heavy Things,” is a blue-collar anthem blending old-school country blues with modern Americana, featuring the catchy refrain “Yippee Ki-yi-yay I’m lifting heavy things.” “Tokyo Hotel” showcases the band’s versatility, melding indie-folk, country, pop, and rock to paint a vivid picture of unexpected love in an unforgiving place. Rounding out the trio, “Sound of a Broken Heart” channels Tom Petty-esque vibes with its anthemic chorus, declaring that “the sound of a broken heart is really something to hear.” These singles not only highlight Gusman’s knack for crafting memorable melodies and relatable lyrics but also demonstrate the band’s ability to seamlessly blend various American roots music styles into their signature sound.
Recorded live at Native Sound Recordings in St. Louis, the album captures the band’s electrifying stage presence and unfiltered sound. “We came in hot, turned up way loud, and recorded everything live,” Gusman reveals. “We chose not to overdub parts, layer guitars/vocals, or play to a click track, so the tracks have a lot of rawness to them.”
Nick Gusman and the Coyotes have been making waves beyond the banks of the Mississippi. They’ve toured extensively across the U.S. and even taken their heartland sound to Europe in 2022 and 2023. Their live shows are a testament to their musical prowess and the universal appeal of their songs.
As they gear up for the release of Lifting Heavy Things, Nick Gusman and the Coyotes stand ready to solidify their place in the pantheon of great American roots music. They’re not just lifting heavy things – they’re carrying the weight of a genre, and they’re doing it with a swagger and style all their own.
RIYL: Uncle Tupelo, The Bottle Rockets, Drive-By Truckers, and Jason Isbell
PAST PRESS
“Nick Gusman’s smart songwriting is bringing new fans to roots music.” – Riverfront Times