NASHVILLE — Laney Jones and the Spirits are set to make their mark with their self-titled debut album, arriving Nov. 20 via independent release. The Nashville-based quartet, led by singer-songwriter Laney Jones, features Brian Dowd, Carson Lystad, and Glen Hruska. The group recorded the album following a period of personal and creative transformation.
The announcement follows the release of the band’s anthemic single “We Belong Together,” which arrived Oct. 23 alongside an official lyric video. The track, inspired partly by Kurt Vonnegut’s The Sirens of Titan, explores human connection and belonging beyond romantic love.
“Ever since my drummer and life partner Brian and I wrote this song three years ago, we’ve been trying to capture it,” said Jones. “It wasn’t until we solidified our live band and started recording with them that everything started clicking.”
Co-produced by Jones and Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff), the album channels the group’s chemistry and emotional honesty. Jones said the project emerged from grief after the couple lost their dog, Happy, just before Thanksgiving. Songs such as “Bitch Year,” “Knowme,” and “Live Wire” trace the experience of working through loss while continuing to create.
“Being an indie artist these days, without the help of a big team and money, is a test of resilience and scrappiness,” Jones said. “You have to be somewhat crazy to keep fighting, but being an underdog fuels me. This record wrestles with that, and I believe this is our best work yet.”
Drummer Brian Dowd described “Bitch Year” as a testament to that perseverance: “It illustrates that in the darkest of days, music can be the power that gets you through to the other side.”
The album includes 10 songs that blend classic rock energy with soulful songwriting. Dowd called it “the truest representation of our journey.”
Following the release, Laney Jones and the Spirits will tour across North America, supporting The Heavy Heavy on several December dates. Stops include Cleveland, Toronto, Baltimore, and New York City’s Bowery Ballroom.
With its debut, the band positions itself as one of Nashville’s most promising rock acts, balancing emotional vulnerability with a sound built for the stage.
Laney Jones and the Spirits will tour throughout late November and December, including performances in Indianapolis, Cleveland, Toronto, Baltimore, and New York.
