Levee Drivers

ou need to know about the multi-generational appeal of Levon Helm and The Band is this: When the group began its second go-around in the mid-’80s, Kyle Perella wasn’t even born yet. On Tuesday, the guitarist will be among the many musicians paying tribute to Helm at World Café Live.

“He’s amazing. I could watch him do anything,” says Perella, 25, a member of the gritty, Morrisville-based roots-rock act Levee Drivers. “When he steps away from the drum set, he’s just as powerful as when he’s behind it. My favorite thing is when they sing harmonies, picking his voice out of the crowd. It cuts through like a knife. It’s really cool.”

Perella, a 2006 Pennsbury High School graduate, will perform alongside fellow Levee Drivers August Lutz and Amber Twaitt, backed by members of the band Toy Soldiers. They’ll be playing a Hank Williams song that Helm regularly covered in concert.

Other acts scheduled to perform include Eric Slick (of Dr. Dog), the Kalob Griffin Band, Birdie Busch and Josh Olmstead.

“I remember seeing ‘The Last Waltz’ as a kid,” Perella says, referring to the Martin Scorsese documentary of the original Band’s final concert in 1976. “I liked my music a little heavier, a little harder, because I grew up during grunge, but I was blown away by what I saw: ‘Whoa, what are these songs, what is this music?’

“I lived down in Tennessee for a little bit, and everything from that part of the country really stuck with me. That’s the best way to explain it.” (The Band was mostly Canadian, but Helm was from Arkansas.)

Perella’s parents took him to see The Band when he was young, although he doesn’t remember much about the show.

“I do remember as a little kid being on my dad’s shoulders,” he says, “not exactly knowing what was going on but knowing that what was going on was pretty awesome.” - www.Phillyburbs.com

...The final act that we really enjoyed were right up our alley, Levee Drivers and their mix of rock, blues, and country. Frontman August Lutz has a deep bluesy voice that fits perfectly with the their sound. I don't know much about this band, but from what I saw, they should catch on." - MyJoog Blog

"Their sound is polished, deliberate and the songs are mixed well. The upside looks bright." - Levittown Patch

"Their sound is polished, deliberate and the songs are mixed well. The upside looks bright." - Levittown Patch

PHILADELPHIA - Levee Drivers were named the winners of the "Cream: Best of Philly Rising" competition during Friday night's 2007 grand finale hosted by World Cafe Live.

The title of "Cream of the Cream" was awarded to Levee Drivers following a show-stopping performance at the "Best of Philly Rising" grand finale concert, where they stood out among the 12 emerging artists featured from 2007. Levee Drivers claimed their new title, over 300 vying artists, as the culmination of a year-long competition held by World Cafe Live.

Judged by professionals from various disciplines throughout the Philadelphia music community, Levee Drivers won based on an evaluation of musicianship, song writing ability and stage performance.

"We are honored to be recognized by World Cafe Live as the standout performer for 2007," said August Lutz, lead singer of Levee Drivers. "All of this year's artists were talented, so being named the winner of the Philly Rising competition is truly exciting for us."

Less than a year old and working on the completion of their first full length album, Levee Drivers' music embodies the sounds of old country souls being reborn into tomorrow's rock. Their music is a modern take on the story-telling of Johnny Cash, driven by early country and blues roots with a startling vocal rendition likened to a cross of Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Adams. Levee Drivers embrace an eclectic mix of sound that engages listeners of all ages and across many genres.

Levee Drivers are Bucks county residents, August Lutz as lead vocalist, Jeff Orlowski on the drums, Jason Schultz on lead guitar and central Pennsylvania native, Chris Zembower on bass. - Bucks County Courier Times

PHILADELPHIA - Levee Drivers were named the winners of the "Cream: Best of Philly Rising" competition during Friday night's 2007 grand finale hosted by World Cafe Live.

The title of "Cream of the Cream" was awarded to Levee Drivers following a show-stopping performance at the "Best of Philly Rising" grand finale concert, where they stood out among the 12 emerging artists featured from 2007. Levee Drivers claimed their new title, over 300 vying artists, as the culmination of a year-long competition held by World Cafe Live.

Judged by professionals from various disciplines throughout the Philadelphia music community, Levee Drivers won based on an evaluation of musicianship, song writing ability and stage performance.

"We are honored to be recognized by World Cafe Live as the standout performer for 2007," said August Lutz, lead singer of Levee Drivers. "All of this year's artists were talented, so being named the winner of the Philly Rising competition is truly exciting for us."

Less than a year old and working on the completion of their first full length album, Levee Drivers' music embodies the sounds of old country souls being reborn into tomorrow's rock. Their music is a modern take on the story-telling of Johnny Cash, driven by early country and blues roots with a startling vocal rendition likened to a cross of Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Adams. Levee Drivers embrace an eclectic mix of sound that engages listeners of all ages and across many genres.

Levee Drivers are Bucks county residents, August Lutz as lead vocalist, Jeff Orlowski on the drums, Jason Schultz on lead guitar and central Pennsylvania native, Chris Zembower on bass. - Bucks County Courier Times

By ANDY VINEBERG
Bucks County Courier Times

When the Bucks County band Levee Drivers implores listeners to "Hold On," the title of their bluesy, slow-burning country lament, you're instantly transplanted to a place and time far from here — the Mississippi Delta, maybe, or a dilapidated roadhouse tavern.

These are the words and melodies of grizzled, seasoned musicians — traces of Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and Robert Johnson dripping with every note.

You'd never guess that three-fourths of Levee Drivers are 22 or younger, including lead singer and songwriter August Lutz, who formed the band with fellow Pennsbury High School graduate Jason Schultz last year.

"Jason and I were probably in 10th or 11th grade when we got bored of all the (modern) stuff and started listening to music out of the ordinary for us at that age," Lutz said. "We went backwards. We heard Johnny Cash for the first time, a couple of Tom Waits records, Loretta Lynn, then we went back even further with Son House and Robert Johnson.

"That hit us a lot more than the music nowadays."

The traditional Americana sounds have paid off for the young band. On Jan. 18, just four months after they started practicing, Levee Drivers won the "Cream: Best of Philly Rising" competition at World Caf Live in Philadelphia.

The year-long event featured more than 300 bands, before the final 12 competed in the grand finale concert.

"It was absolutely incredible playing in front of that many people," Lutz said of the band's winning 12-minute set.

"It was a sold-out show ... the whole balcony was filled with people there to listen to music. I felt like we did a really good job."

The band won 1,000 pressed CDs, 300 posters, 26 custom-printed T-shirts, 1,000 stickers, recording time at Range Recording Studio in Ardmore and the chance to open for a national artist at World Caf Live.

The prizes should be a major boost for a hungry band in the process of recording its first full-length CD.

"Sometimes, it's tough booking shows because of our age," said Lutz, 22. "A lot of venues say we don't have enough experience, but we'll keep pressuring them. Eventually they'll let us play, and they're surprised how well we sound together.

"We get a lot of good response from people who haven't heard us play, other bands and their friends and families. It's really flattering."

Lutz and lead guitarist Schultz, 21, have known each other since their days at Makefield Elementary School and have been playing music together since high school.

They added mutual friend Jeff Orlowski, 22, on drums and backing vocals. Lutz's older sister's boyfriend, bassist Chris Zembower, 27, completed the lineup.

On stage, Levee Drivers will perform an Elvis Presley cover or two but have about 30 original tracks to choose from. And there should be plenty more to come — Lutz said he's been writing music since third grade.

For now, all of the band members have bought into the old-school vibe.

"Jeff was really into Radiohead and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and we all still are," Lutz said. "But when we introduced him and Chris to older bands, they all fell in love with it. It's really worked for us." - Bucks County Courier Times

By ANDY VINEBERG
Bucks County Courier Times

When the Bucks County band Levee Drivers implores listeners to "Hold On," the title of their bluesy, slow-burning country lament, you're instantly transplanted to a place and time far from here — the Mississippi Delta, maybe, or a dilapidated roadhouse tavern.

These are the words and melodies of grizzled, seasoned musicians — traces of Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and Robert Johnson dripping with every note.

You'd never guess that three-fourths of Levee Drivers are 22 or younger, including lead singer and songwriter August Lutz, who formed the band with fellow Pennsbury High School graduate Jason Schultz last year.

"Jason and I were probably in 10th or 11th grade when we got bored of all the (modern) stuff and started listening to music out of the ordinary for us at that age," Lutz said. "We went backwards. We heard Johnny Cash for the first time, a couple of Tom Waits records, Loretta Lynn, then we went back even further with Son House and Robert Johnson.

"That hit us a lot more than the music nowadays."

The traditional Americana sounds have paid off for the young band. On Jan. 18, just four months after they started practicing, Levee Drivers won the "Cream: Best of Philly Rising" competition at World Caf Live in Philadelphia.

The year-long event featured more than 300 bands, before the final 12 competed in the grand finale concert.

"It was absolutely incredible playing in front of that many people," Lutz said of the band's winning 12-minute set.

"It was a sold-out show ... the whole balcony was filled with people there to listen to music. I felt like we did a really good job."

The band won 1,000 pressed CDs, 300 posters, 26 custom-printed T-shirts, 1,000 stickers, recording time at Range Recording Studio in Ardmore and the chance to open for a national artist at World Caf Live.

The prizes should be a major boost for a hungry band in the process of recording its first full-length CD.

"Sometimes, it's tough booking shows because of our age," said Lutz, 22. "A lot of venues say we don't have enough experience, but we'll keep pressuring them. Eventually they'll let us play, and they're surprised how well we sound together.

"We get a lot of good response from people who haven't heard us play, other bands and their friends and families. It's really flattering."

Lutz and lead guitarist Schultz, 21, have known each other since their days at Makefield Elementary School and have been playing music together since high school.

They added mutual friend Jeff Orlowski, 22, on drums and backing vocals. Lutz's older sister's boyfriend, bassist Chris Zembower, 27, completed the lineup.

On stage, Levee Drivers will perform an Elvis Presley cover or two but have about 30 original tracks to choose from. And there should be plenty more to come — Lutz said he's been writing music since third grade.

For now, all of the band members have bought into the old-school vibe.

"Jeff was really into Radiohead and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and we all still are," Lutz said. "But when we introduced him and Chris to older bands, they all fell in love with it. It's really worked for us." - Bucks County Courier Times

Before Levee Drivers prepare for this year’s Dewey Beach Music Conference in Delaware, they are going to stop over for a show at North Star Bar. The band garnered a lot of attention during this year’s Beta Hi-Fi Festival at World Cafe Live, and they have a hot new album that was recorded and mastered at the home studio of The Cobbs so it might just be a matter of time before the boys who have a sound that’s reminiscent to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams blow up big time. They’ll be performing alongside Caves of Mercury, who should also get people noticing tonight with songs like “Typewriters and Adding Machines” and “Antarctica.” North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., $10, 9pm, 21+ myspace.com/hentaimusic - Bill McThrill - The Deli Magazine

By Katharine Clark Gray

Whiskey-drenched Country blues from our Bucks County boys in their early twenties? Something says The Levee Drivers are from the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Ask them what sets them apart from their contemporaries - what makes audiences sit up and take notice, what’s carried them to victories in the World Café Live’s “Best of Philly Rising” last year and, just this past August, the Beta Hi-Fi Festival - and they answer, “Work ethic.” “We’ll do what it takes.” “We’ve made sacrifices for this band.”
Ask them to expound on the origins of their sourmash sound, the one that draws repeated comparisons to Johnny Cash that makes the listener wonder whether they’re about to hear a murder ballad, a gunslinger’s anthem or a drunk-drivin’ road song- the answer is, more or less, “We like it.” Will someone please give this band a publicist already?
This is not to suggest that the Levee Drivers are inarticulate about their art. Frontman August Lutz, drummer Jeff Orlowski, guitarist Jason Schultz, and bassist Kyle Perella can pop tops off some brews and talk a good stretch about their inspirations and aspirations, their approach to the songwriting craft, and the crossroads of imagination and experience.
It’s just that one might expect an outfit from Bucks County to be precise - be a little more knowing, more calculating, a little more canny about their embracement of the foreign, rye-soaked South. Because that there is the stuff of blurbdom, what lives in the 30-word margin. And as any A&R man will tell you, The Blurb is The All.
Every song on the Levee Drivers’ five-song EP, recorded with nuance and arresting clarity by the excellent Ryan and Paul Cobb, evokes a sweatier time and place-- in most cases, places they’ve only heard about. “Poor Boy’s Shoes” kicks off with that distinctly Cash-ian walkin’ blues rhythm - the boots clockin’ down a hard-packed road. “Down in Mississippi where the sun don’t shine no more,” Lutz moans into his bullet mic. “Down in Mississippi where the poor boy’s shoes are torn...” This is a Mississippi of legend, and also of the mind.
“Most of the South thing [is] just imagination,” Lutz allows. “Other characters’ stories.” Indeed. Miles away from the self-reflective belly-button lint lyrics of many budding young songwriters (all of the Levee Drivers are 23 or younger), Lutz & co. are more inclined to spin yarns about shoo-fly antiheroes, epic and otherwise. The record’s crown jewel, “Tennessee Girl,” is a paean to the life of Betty Page- “because,” says Lutz, “we respect attractive women a lot I guess”- but penned like a cautionary tale for wayward gamines:
Betty’s in the corner with all them boys she knows.
Betty’s in trouble with the law and she can’t be found.
Hell she’s breakin’ loose out of these chains.
Lord won’t you tell her, won’t you tell her what to do.
Betty’s on her way back home, Betty’s on her way back home South...
n the beginning, it was Lutz and Schultz, buddies since the fifth grade, band mates since high school. Vestiges of their first band, Hentai- yes, like the Japanese anime porn- are still visible in the band’s MySpace URL (myspace.com/hentaimusic). But as the members evolved- Orlowski on the kit, then a rotisserie of bassists that included Lutz’s sister’s boyfriend, until he moved to New York- the sound evolved with them.
So let’s try again. What is that sound? According to Orlowski: “Johnny Cash’s rhythm with Clash kinna guitars. More rock, but still with that country feel.” The band cites the influence of Son House and Robert Johnson, staples of anyone intent on reaching deep into the pockets of real live blues. They count themselves fans of Springsteen and Ryan Adams and Levi Stubbs Jr., but also Sigur Ros and the Misfits - and of course, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, who most immediately comes to mind when their black-hued narratives gain speed.
“I got into [roots, blues & country] really late,” Lutz confesses. “I grew up listenin’ to, like, classic rock... then Britpop, and I went through that whole goddamn phase.” The others laugh. No one here was born with a bottleneck on his finger.
As the newest member, Perella, in particular, is in a position to analyze the casting of the Levee Drivers’ mold. “We all appreciate so many different kinds of music. Like, I went to school [as a guitarist], I studied jazz, I studied History of Classical…Jeff plays classical piano,” he says. “It’s just easier when we pick[ed] the sound that we wanted. It’s so much more progressive. It’s like, ‘We got the sound, now let’s write the songs.’ As opposed to being all over the place.”
And who does the writing? As with many four-piece outfits, Lutz brings the lyrics and chord progressions, then each instrumentalist contributes and crafts his own arrangement. And it’s in the arrangement- the driving downbeats, the strategic crescendos, the timbre and texture of the percussion- that “sound,” that elusive beast, lives.
“We have the sound, he ha - Origivation Magazine

Before Levee Drivers prepare for this year’s Dewey Beach Music Conference in Delaware, they are going to stop over for a show at North Star Bar. The band garnered a lot of attention during this year’s Beta Hi-Fi Festival at World Cafe Live, and they have a hot new album that was recorded and mastered at the home studio of The Cobbs so it might just be a matter of time before the boys who have a sound that’s reminiscent to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams blow up big time. They’ll be performing alongside Caves of Mercury, who should also get people noticing tonight with songs like “Typewriters and Adding Machines” and “Antarctica.” North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., $10, 9pm, 21+ myspace.com/hentaimusic - Bill McThrill - The Deli Magazine

It’s not surprising to me that Levee Drivers are top performers in our overall poll and winners of the Fans’ Poll this year. I first came across them about two years ago at Millcreek Tavern. I was about to leave after hearing the artist that I came to see, but Levee Drivers stopped me dead in my tracks as I was just about to walk out the door. I ended up staying for their whole set. There are some things that you know are just right. Please check out our interview below with Levee Drivers’ guitarist Jason Schultz. - Q.D. Tran

The Deli: How did you meet, and when did Levee Drivers form as a band?

Jason Schultz: August and I played in a few bands through high school. A year or two later, we asked Jeff to play drums. After a few months of practicing, we started getting some shows around the Philadelphia area at The Fire and The Cherry Pit. This was around the Spring of 2006.

TD: What is the origin of your band name?

JS: “Levee Drivers” came in an article about Hurricane Katrina. The words weren’t next to each other in the article, but I read them together and thought it sounded kind of rock ‘n roll.

TD: What are your biggest musical influences, and what bands (local/national/international) are you currently listening to?

JS: Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, The Clash and Jack White’s projects have been a pretty significant influence on our sound through the last 3 years. August has been listening to a lot of The Shangri-Las recently. Kyle’s getting into the Boss. Jeff likes The Walkmen. I’ve been listening to Brody Dalle’s new band, Spinnerette.

TD: What’s the first concert you ever attended and/or first album you ever bought?

JS: The first concert and album was The Wallflowers and Beck’s Odelay. Kyle’s first concert was KISS in 1990 because his uncle was in Slaughter, and they opened up the show. The first album he every got was Night at the Opera by Queen. Jeff’s first album he ever got was a Vandals CD. My first album was And Justice for All by Metallica, and I think my first show was a New Jersey hardcore full of class acts.

TD: What’s your take on the Philly music scene?

JS: We don’t get around to that many shows, but we like playing with Machine Gun Joe and The Cobbs because they’re buddies of ours and we like what they do. I think our favorite venues are Johnny Brenda’s and World Cafe Live.

TD: What are your performance and recording plans for 2010?

JS: We’re going to try and get a few shows down south with a friend of ours down in Tennessee during the summer. Trying to convince August to record another EP this year.

TD: What was your most memorable live Levee Drivers show?

JS: The Dewey Beach Music Conference was probably our most memorable show. Everything clicked on stage, the crowd was into us and the weekend was a great learning experience as a band.

TD: If you could pick the next Traveling Wilburys, who would be in the line-up?

JS: Jack White, Josh Homme, Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams.

TD: What’s your favorite order at the deli?

JS: Grilled cheese and bacon.
- The Deli Magazine

It’s not surprising to me that Levee Drivers are top performers in our overall poll and winners of the Fans’ Poll this year. I first came across them about two years ago at Millcreek Tavern. I was about to leave after hearing the artist that I came to see, but Levee Drivers stopped me dead in my tracks as I was just about to walk out the door. I ended up staying for their whole set. There are some things that you know are just right. Please check out our interview below with Levee Drivers’ guitarist Jason Schultz. - Q.D. Tran

The Deli: How did you meet, and when did Levee Drivers form as a band?

Jason Schultz: August and I played in a few bands through high school. A year or two later, we asked Jeff to play drums. After a few months of practicing, we started getting some shows around the Philadelphia area at The Fire and The Cherry Pit. This was around the Spring of 2006.

TD: What is the origin of your band name?

JS: “Levee Drivers” came in an article about Hurricane Katrina. The words weren’t next to each other in the article, but I read them together and thought it sounded kind of rock ‘n roll.

TD: What are your biggest musical influences, and what bands (local/national/international) are you currently listening to?

JS: Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, The Clash and Jack White’s projects have been a pretty significant influence on our sound through the last 3 years. August has been listening to a lot of The Shangri-Las recently. Kyle’s getting into the Boss. Jeff likes The Walkmen. I’ve been listening to Brody Dalle’s new band, Spinnerette.

TD: What’s the first concert you ever attended and/or first album you ever bought?

JS: The first concert and album was The Wallflowers and Beck’s Odelay. Kyle’s first concert was KISS in 1990 because his uncle was in Slaughter, and they opened up the show. The first album he every got was Night at the Opera by Queen. Jeff’s first album he ever got was a Vandals CD. My first album was And Justice for All by Metallica, and I think my first show was a New Jersey hardcore full of class acts.

TD: What’s your take on the Philly music scene?

JS: We don’t get around to that many shows, but we like playing with Machine Gun Joe and The Cobbs because they’re buddies of ours and we like what they do. I think our favorite venues are Johnny Brenda’s and World Cafe Live.

TD: What are your performance and recording plans for 2010?

JS: We’re going to try and get a few shows down south with a friend of ours down in Tennessee during the summer. Trying to convince August to record another EP this year.

TD: What was your most memorable live Levee Drivers show?

JS: The Dewey Beach Music Conference was probably our most memorable show. Everything clicked on stage, the crowd was into us and the weekend was a great learning experience as a band.

TD: If you could pick the next Traveling Wilburys, who would be in the line-up?

JS: Jack White, Josh Homme, Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams.

TD: What’s your favorite order at the deli?

JS: Grilled cheese and bacon.
- The Deli Magazine

Congrats to Levee Drivers - Winners of The Deli’s Best of Philly Fans’ Poll! The results of our Composite Chart [the one including the votes from the jury and the writers which will elect our best emerging artist(s) of 2009] will be announced on Wednesday, as we need a little time to organize it and add up the votes (yeah, we suck at math).

Congrats also to Woe and The Extraordinaires - who placed 2nd and 3rd in the Fans' Poll.

The Deli Staff

Published on January 19, 2010 - - The Deli Magazine

Congrats to Levee Drivers - Winners of The Deli’s Best of Philly Fans’ Poll! The results of our Composite Chart [the one including the votes from the jury and the writers which will elect our best emerging artist(s) of 2009] will be announced on Wednesday, as we need a little time to organize it and add up the votes (yeah, we suck at math).

Congrats also to Woe and The Extraordinaires - who placed 2nd and 3rd in the Fans' Poll.

The Deli Staff

Published on January 19, 2010 - - The Deli Magazine

These Bucks County traditionalists won 2007’s “Best of Philly Rising” contest with their taut and hard-hitting country rock. August Lutz, the front man, conjures the surpressed menace of a young Johnny Cash, while guitarist Jason Schultz picks out soaring, anthemic leads. Still the band’s secret weapon may well be its rhythm section, drummer Jeff Orlowski and bassist Kyle Perella, laying down a freight train beat that drives over velvety midnight landscapes. The Levee Drivers’ “Tennessee Girl” is not the Sammy Kershaw song, nor does its “Wichita” have anything to do with the Jayhawks, though both originals have deep roots in Americana’s past. J.K. - Philadelphia Weekly

When the Bucks County-born country-rock band Levee Drivers won the “Cream: Best of Philly Rising” competition at World Café Live nearly a decade ago, you figured it was only a matter of time before the young group with an old soul released its first full-length album.

It’s taken longer than anybody associated with the band could have possibly imagined after winning the contest in January 2008, but that time, finally, is now.

Levee Drivers, formed in 2007 by then-recent Pennsbury High School graduates and childhood friends August John Lutz II and Jason Schultz, along with Conwell-Egan graduate Jeff Orlowski, will celebrate the long-awaited release of “Motel City Honey” Friday night at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. The bill also will include their longtime friends and collaborators the Lawsuits, as well as the Virginia-based Dawn Drapes.

It will be an emotional night for a band that has persevered through multiple highs and lows and frequent personnel changes (mostly on bass), as well as the heartbreak of Schultz’s death in 2015, a few years after he had left the group.

Singer/guitarist/harmonica player/songwriter Lutz and drummer Orlowski are the only original members still with the band, which has established itself as one of Philly’s best live acts on the strength of constant gigging. The lineup also includes Pennsbury graduate Kyle Perella, who joined on bass in the early days before eventually replacing Schultz on lead guitar, and western Pennsylvania native Jon Covert, Perella’s roommate in Fishtown who took over for Ben Plotnick on bass in June 2016 after Plotnick got a job working for Yelp in San Francisco.

“The way the band was always changing lineups made it really hard (to complete a full-length album),” Perella said in a telephone interview, “especially for August, who at the time was more of a perfectionist. The only thing we could really do was find our niche playing as many shows as we could. I always wanted to record, I was ready to record, but August always talked about why we didn’t do it, and he was right.”

It certainly wasn’t due to lack of material. Even in the band’s earliest days, there were plenty of Lutz originals to work with. It’s just that the timing was never right, for whatever reason. The band did put out a couple of EPs, and Lutz released his debut solo EP, “O’ My Foolish Heart,” in 2015, but a full-length release remained elusive.

Even after Levee Drivers finally recorded the material for the album in November 2015 at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, Mississippi (a studio owned by the Drive-By Truckers’ Matt Patton), it would be nearly another two years before the album’s release. During that period the band tried in vain to find a label before eventually deciding to self-release, a process that Perella described as “really depressing.”

“We wanted to get the album out to as many people as possible in the industry before we released it,” he said. “We have an awesome manager (Marley McNamara), and we wanted to take advantage of the connections she had. A lot of bands, especially local, put a record out, play a release show that probably does pretty well, a decent amount of people buy the record, but then kind of nothing happens. We didn’t want that to happen. We wanted to do it a better way if there was a better way.


“We struck out doing that, but it was still worth it, just the connections we made. We met some labels in Chicago that really liked us, but for whatever reason, timing or who knows, it didn’t work out. But through the failures we’ve met a lot more people, and we still feel like it’ll have some momentum after its release.”

The band helped finance the release through a GoFundMe campaign that allowed fans to donate in exchange for tiered packages, everything from a digital download of the album ($10) to a private concert ($500). The band is donating a portion of the money it receives to the Moyer Foundation, the organization founded by former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen to aid families affected by grief and addiction.

The 10-track album, which includes the rollicking lead single “There You Go,” is a mix of material the band has had for a while and newer songs, all of which were intended to form a cohesive set of music.

“August is a very prolific writer, he’s always writing,” Perella said. “He’s got enough old material, we could make five albums. But it was always less a case of, let’s record our best songs, and more of, let’s write a really strong, cohesive album.

“But now August has kind of caught the bug of recording. He was always reluctant to record because he’s such a perfectionist, but now he’s almost obsessed with it. He wants to make another one and get as much out there as possible.”

For now, though, the band is just happy to have one full-length album to celebrate. Finally.

“Oh, yeah, it’s exciting,” Perella said. “It’s a lesson in never giving up, I guess. Me and Jeff and August have been in the band a really long time now, we could’ve given up a long time ago. We jumped a lot of hurdles to get to this release show. It’s something other bands might have taken for granted and done a little cheaper and easier than we’ve done it. We really worked for this one.” - Bucks County Courier Times