Luke Bell Signs with Thirty Tigers, to Release Self-Titled Album
In 2014 when Saving Country Music received an unsolicited submission from an relatively unknown artist named Luke Bell, it felt like striking gold. It’s so rare, and so welcome and fulfilling when an artist that has been flying so criminally far under the radar shows up and it’s so immediately obvious their music is destined for bigger things. This is the way it felt when Sturgill Simpson’s first band Sunday Valley showed up in the inbox, or the incredible Tami Neilson from Australia.
After self-releasing an album called Don’t Mind If I Do on Bandcamp, The Wyoming native signed with prestigious booking agency WME, and all of a sudden was opening shows for Dwight Yoakam—the same place Sturgill Simpson began his ascent. Now Luke Bell is slated to play Stagecoach in California in a couple of weeks, and Bonnaroo this summer. Luke Bell is not screwing around with this. We might be witnessing the launching of a serious independent country music artist here very shortly.
Along with the newfound support behind Luke, Thirty Tigers has saddled up with the songwriter to release a new, self-titled album. That’s why Don’t Mind If I Do was recently pulled from Bandcamp. Some of the songs, including the first “single” from the album called “Sometimes” (hear below) are from that previously-released Bandcamp album. But the new Luke Bell release will also include five new original songs. Seeing how well Don’t Mind If I Do was received by the few listeners who did get to hear it, this might be the best of both worlds.
Luke Bell’s new self-titled release is scheduled to hit stores on June 17th, and is currently available for pre-order.
Luke also just released a new video for his song “Sometimes,” shot at the Santa’s Pub dive bar in Nashville that Luke is known to regularly haunt. Bell spent the early part of his music career in Austin, playing venues like Hole in the Wall and The White Horse before moving to Music City a few years ago. If you watch the video closely enough, and know your Nashville independent musicians well, you might recognize a few familiar faces.
April 21, 2016 @ 9:40 am
I saw him open for Dwight last year. He and his band were outstanding! Love his sound. Really looking forward to the album!!!
April 21, 2016 @ 10:33 am
Great news! I was just thinking the other day where he was at and if he was planning a new release.
PS. BEST part of of Saving Country Music is being introduced to these indie country guys/gals, and then watching their talent gradually get more recognized. So thanks Trig!
April 21, 2016 @ 10:38 am
At the risk of sounding like a trend chaser, I’ve been talking about how the Dwight sound is about to come back around. I’ve been trying to work my sound in that direction but dang if I didn’t get beat to it.
April 21, 2016 @ 10:49 am
Luke Bell has been a weekly listen since I read about him on this site. Was looking forward to all new music from him but whatever it takes to get this guy to the masses(so he can tour near me). One of the best voices I’ve heard in country recently.
April 21, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Awesome news! Bought Don’t Mind If I Do based on the review here, exceeded every expectation, such a great find. And as I recall, Mr. Bell is a fan of Petunia’s!
And Mr. Bell: I don’t care if there’s only ONE new song on this release, I’ll buy it again on the bet that this time it’s mastered! (See Trigger’s original review)
Thanks.
April 21, 2016 @ 10:58 am
Saw him last year in Kansas City. Great guy as well as performer!
April 21, 2016 @ 12:36 pm
Digging this thanks!
April 21, 2016 @ 12:43 pm
Good for him! Your review prompted me to buy his album way back when and I have zero regrets, it’s fantastic.
April 21, 2016 @ 12:46 pm
Hadn’t heard of him. Thanks.
April 21, 2016 @ 1:15 pm
Good for him. I loved DMIID. I wish it was a new full-length, but if that means more people will hear Rattlesnake Man, Black Crowes, or Lorette, that’s good. Sometimes always struck me as filler on the album, not a single.
Hopefully a tour follows!
April 21, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
Cool. I bought half of “Don’t Mind If I Do” on itunes after SCM’s review in 2014 (why not the whole record? Well at the time I was purchasing so much new stuff I was being guided to on this site, I had to put some brakes on) and I’m happy for Luke Bell that Thirty Tigers picked him up. This looks good for his future.
Hey Thirty Tigers, how about picking up Petunia next?
And while I’m addressing you, when will you release Parker MIllsaps new record in Europe?
Thirty Tigers seems to be growing fast. It may be my wrong perception, but it does feel like the Thirty Tigers brand is becoming ubiquitous in leftfield Country. I applaud you for that, but please watch over yourselves. Don’t become too big. Don’t focus on growth, focus on the artists. You will know you have become too big once you will prioritize some artists to the point that you neglect others. Please make sure that will not happen. Keep up the great work.
April 21, 2016 @ 3:36 pm
+1 for the Petunia rec!
April 23, 2016 @ 12:36 pm
Got Parkers new album from Amazon UK last week! Amazingly good! Get your order in man!
Björn
April 21, 2016 @ 2:44 pm
Sounds like the guy’s from another time in all the right ways. Love that even the video looks like it’s from another time! Can’t wait for that album to hit.
April 21, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
What this site is all about for me. Thanks Trig
April 21, 2016 @ 6:05 pm
A guy named Luke with actual talent – how refreshing.
April 21, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
Cool, I’ll have to pick this up. Always like to hear from the “Western” part of the genre. Props again to Thirty Tigers for allowing another good artist to get wider exposure, and props again to Trig for bringing him to my attention.
April 21, 2016 @ 6:34 pm
Damn I like his sound. I ordred the album.
April 22, 2016 @ 8:29 am
Articles like this are my favorite part of SCM.
April 22, 2016 @ 11:28 am
That settles it. My country music stage name is now gonna be Sturgill Shelton. And i’m gonna work my sound in that direction.
April 22, 2016 @ 2:19 pm
Luke also just had his Music City Roots debut, this past Wednesday. He did a mighty fine job, too! Got too hear a few of the new tunes from the upcoming record. “Where You Been” definitely stood out. Video should be available in the next day or two, via the Music City Roots YouTube channel. I can’t wait to get my hands the new record!
April 23, 2016 @ 12:38 pm
Saw and met Luke Bell last year in Nashville, great gig and a heck of a nice fella