When you visit the American South, you’ll hear the word “kinfolk” thrown around in conversation without a second thought. The term encompasses blood-related family members, but it also goes beyond blood. Your “kin” can be those close friends whose relationship might as well be familial. For Southall, that idea extends to their fanbase. Founded by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Read Southall, the PLATINUM-certified Country Rock outfit churns out the kinds of tunes that make everyone feel like family on their fifth full-length LP, Kinfolk. The group unites dyed-in-the-wool Country, nineties Grunge, timeless Soul, and Americana into a striking signature sound. “When people are ‘kin’ to you, they’re ‘kin’ for life,” Southall observes. “It’s an ‘all for one and one for all’ mentality. We’re in this together with anybody who listens to us or comes to a show. When we play live, I often say, ‘Don’t take yourself too seriously, and we won’t either’. We’re Kinfolk after all,” he grins. Throughout 2025, the guys crafted what would become Kinfolk. This time around, they opted to record in Norman, OK with producer Wes Sharon. “Southwestern Son” and “Freight Train” cleared the way for the LP’s arrival. Praising “Freight Train,” Raised Rowdy declared, “It’s easy to imagine an entire arena singing it back at the band, fists in the air, voices hoarse by the final chorus.” Ultimately, Southall have delivered another essential body of work for their kinfolk.
