Lyons & Co., an emerging presence on the indie roots-rock scene, is kicking off Chicago Pride Weekend with a dance-worthy new single, “Look Like Now,” the first track off their forthcoming album, Southern Rock & Nicotine. Joined by Allie Kral (fiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band), Andrew Bair (keys, Paul Cauthen), Mark Lavengood (dobro, Billy Strings, Lindsay Lou), and Jake Lynn (drums, Wyatt Gomez), the sophomore album for Lyons & Co. will debut this July.

Frontwoman Bridget Lyons is truly a self-made success story. A creator in multiple genres, she holds patents in design and utility and has owned and developed multiple brands to national expansion. She has previously released two albums under her name and has performed with a number of renowned musicians, from famed bluegrass artists to R&B legends, including Brandy Norwood (aka Brandy).

Lyons’ honey-and-gravel sound is rooted in an upbringing soundtracked by the Delta blues and Chicago R&B. She learned how to play the guitar by watching her dad, a slide blues guitarist, and received her first guitar at eight years old. Lyons spent her summers working on her grandfather’s farm, where the only radio station for miles got her hooked on artists like The Judds, Martina McBryde, Brooks & Dunn, and Toby Keith.

With “Look Like Now,” Lyons’ latest release takes her into the heartland where a modern resurgence of the Tulsa Sound is on the heels of Nashville and Austin. The album was recorded and co-produced in Tulsa by keyboardist Andrew Bair, who has also produced for Jason Boland & The Stragglers and is heavily involved in Isaac Hanson’s new country-rock project, Mother Road Sons.

Lyons says, “While today’s single and our new album dropping in July could be viewed as somewhat of a coming-out party for Lyons & Co., it’s actually a culmination of artistic threads that started when I picked up my first guitar. This track, in particular, combines some of my favorite elements of songwriting: playful lyricism that weaves together storytelling, complicated emotions, and harmonies.”

She continues, “As a member and ally of the queer community and a country-blues artist, I’m honored to release my first single off the new album in time for Pride Weekend in my hometown of Chicago. I am also so proud to be a member of the Americana family. There’s a true sense of community and joy connected to the live music experience in this genre. I look forward to getting some feet moving this weekend at Back Lot Bash and around Michigan and Oklahoma this summer!”

The first stop for Lyons is a showcase hosted by The L Word’s Leisha Hailey and Katherine Moennig at Chicago’s Back Lot Bash. She’ll take the stage on Saturday, June 29th, with Allie Kral on fiddle, as well as fellow country-queer artist Amy Martin (vocals and guitar) and Brady Knippa (drums, Dayglow).

Additional Live Performance Dates:

June 30, 2024
Smiling Acres Music Festival, Trufant, MI
Allie Kral (fiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band)
Mark Lavengood (dobro, Billy Strings, Lindsay Lou)
Amy Martin (vocals and guitar, Denver)
Tyler Sjöström (guitar and vocals, Virginia)

July 24, 2024
Lyons & Co. Southern Rock & Nicotine Album Release Party
The Colony, Tulsa, OK
Allie Kral (fiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band)
Andrew Bair (keys, Paul Cauthen)
Mark Lavengood (dobro, Billy Strings, Lindsay Lou)
Jake Lynn (drums, Wyatt Gomez)

July 30, 2024
Summer Concerts at Frederick Meijer Garden, Grand Rapids, MI
Opening for Mat Kearney
Allie Kral (fiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band)
Mark Lavengood (dobro, Billy Strings, Lindsay Lou)