Alabama Shakes

Formed in the late 2000s in Athens, a small town in northern Alabama, Alabama Shakes brought together singer‑guitarist Brittany Howard, bassist Zac Cockrell, drummer Steve Johnson and guitarist Heath Fogg around a rock sound strongly infused with soul and blues. The band first emerged on the local scene before issuing a self‑produced EP in 2011 that attracted the attention of independent labels and specialist media. With the album Boys & Girls (2012), Alabama Shakes established an aesthetic blending southern‑rock heritage, vintage soul and garage energy, driven by Brittany Howard’s expressive voice, warm‑toned guitars and a stripped‑down rhythmic foundation. The second album, Sound & Color (2015), broadened that palette toward a more atmospheric rock, incorporating psychedelic touches and more contrasting arrangements while retaining songwriting focused on direct, melodic songs. Alabama Shakes then toured extensively across North America and Europe, from small venues to major festivals, before gradually suspending activities in the late 2010s; the members went on to pursue various projects, including Brittany Howard’s solo career.