After years of relentless touring and steady artistic evolution, Birmingham, Alabama-based soul outfit St. Paul & The Broken Bones has achieved an unexpected commercial breakthrough with their latest single, “Sushi and Coca-Cola,” which recently topped the charts. The track, featured on their self-titled sixth album produced by Eg White, showcases the band’s remarkable ability to blend traditional soul foundations with contemporary rhythmic sensibilities.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones blend traditional soul with modern rhythms on their chart-topping single “Sushi and Coca-Cola”
Formed between 2011 and 2012, the band coalesced around vocalists Paul Janeway and bassist Jesse Phillips, who previously collaborated in The Secret Dangers. The duo initially began this musical venture at Ol Elegante Studios as what they considered their final effort before pursuing different career paths. Their lineup gradually expanded to include guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Kevin Leon, and keyboardist Al Gamble, who joined full-time in early 2014. The brass section, consisting of Allen Branstetter on trumpet, Amari Ansari on saxophone, and Chad Fisher on trombone, completes their signature sound that has garnered widespread acclaim.
Since releasing their debut album “Half the City” in 2014, partially recorded at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, St. Paul & The Broken Bones has steadily expanded their sonic palette. While early work drew heavily from Otis Redding and Sam Cooke influences, subsequent releases like “Young Sick Camellia” (2018) and “Angels in Science Fiction” (2023) incorporated disco, psychedelia, and experimental R&B elements. The band’s 2022 release “The Alien Coast” marked a significant departure into shadowy psychedelia and showcased their willingness to push creative boundaries.
The band’s live performances, frequently described as enthralling and emotionally charged experiences, have played a vital role in building their reputation. Their consistent approach to music promotion has been crucial to developing their dedicated fanbase over the years. The group expertly utilized streaming platforms to increase visibility and connect with new audiences worldwide. Their extensive international touring schedule has included appearances at major festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, and Bonnaroo, while sharing stages with music legends including Elton John and The Rolling Stones.
Critical acclaim has followed the group throughout their career, with publications like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and NPR consistently praising their work. The unexpected success of “Sushi and Coca-Cola” represents both a creative renaissance and commercial breakthrough for the band, whose evolution from traditional soul revivalists to chart-topping innovators illustrates their artistic versatility and enduring appeal in contemporary music.
