PHOTO REVIEW: SUSTO @ Saturn Birmingham

Music is funny in the way that it represents and embodies the musician that creates it. When listening to a bluegrass song you can almost hear and feel the mountain air. Listening to a jazz album transports you to a smoky bar on Bourbon Street. When SUSTO formed in Charleston, South Carolina, the local scene was revealed in their debut self-titled album in 2014. You can hear the casual laid back nature and feel the lowcountry. This continued with their sophomore album titled & I’m Fine Today, just recently released on ACID BOYS // Missing Piece // Caroline.

In support of their new album SUSTO just kicked off a +2 month tour with a couple of stops in Mississippi before crossing Alabama with a stop at Saturn in Birmingham, Alabama. Saturn has developed the reputation of bringing in all sorts of acts of all sorts of genres but all of high quality and 4.20.17 was no different. For this show, SUSTO was supported by Parker Gispert who opened with a short but sweet solo set. Then SUSTO took the stage with a nod to the “national holiday” and began their set. It was a set that showcased their new album which has lyrics that talk of life today and what it is like to go through the cycles of life. SUSTO is able to cover a lot of different sonic territories on their new album, and live they are able to show off their differing styles while still keeping to the acid country they’ve become known for, all the while rocking every single audience member. These are songs from the heart and songs from real experiences that never lose site of their Southern influences, yet showing off a new, more modern South.

After returning to The States after a brief stent in Cuba, Justin Osborne (lead vocals, guitar) was encouraged to continue with his music career. He was able to connect with Johnny Delaware (lead guitar) and other local Charleston musicians to get SUSTO started. After that they added Corey Campbell (guitar, keys, backing vocals), Jenna Desmond (bass) and Marshall Hudson (drums, percussion) to complete the band. While Johnny recently left the band to pursue his own new endeavor (The Artisanals), SUSTO put on one a hell of a show for the crowd at Saturn with the since added new member, Dries Vandenberg, bringing life to the 420 spirit for all of the audience members.

For the next few weeks SUSTO will be crisscrossing the country, from the Northeast to the Southeast so look them up and catch them when they come through your town. SUSTO plays Brooklyn Bowl tonight for NYC’s Charleston Affair Pre-Party with Atlas Road Crew and Stop Light Observations.

Check out Art Husband‘s photos from SUSTO’s show at Saturn in Birmingham, AL.

Tour Dates:

April 26 /// Brooklyn, NY /// Brooklyn Bowl
April 28 /// Nashville, TN /// The High Watt†
April 29 /// Bowling Green, KY /// The Warehouse at Mt. Victor†
May 4 /// Macon, GA /// Cox Capitol Theatre*
May 5 /// Savannah, GA /// The Jinx†
May 6 /// Hartsville, SC /// Mac’s†
May 16 /// St. Petersburg, FL /// Jannus Live‡
May 17 /// Jacksonville, FL /// Florida Theatre‡
May 18 /// Miami, FL /// The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater‡
May 19 /// Orlando, FL /// Walt Disney Theater‡
May 20 & 21 /// Gulf Shores, AL /// Hangout Music Festival
May 26 /// Martinsville, VA /// Rooster Walk
May 28 /// Winston-Salem, NC /// Gears and Guitars
June 3 /// Beach Haven, NJ /// Hop Sauce
June 14 /// Lexington, KY /// Willie’s Locally Known
June 15 /// Indianapolis, IN /// The Hi-Fi
June 16 /// Evanston, IL /// SPACE
June 17 /// Appleton, WI /// Mile of Music
June 19 /// Minneapolis, MN /// 7th Street Entry
June 20 /// Madison, WI /// The Frequency
June 22 /// Columbia, MO /// Rose Park
June 23 /// Maquoketa, IA /// Codfish Hollow Barn
June 24 /// Yorkville, IL /// Solstice Music Festival
July 7 /// Asheville, NC /// RiverMusic
July 9 /// Memphis, TN /// The Levitt Shell
August 3-4 /// Happy Valley, OR /// Pickathon Music Festival
September 15-17 /// Bristol, TN /// Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
September 29 /// Harmony, NC /// VanHoy Farms
September 30 /// Roseland, VA /// Devil’s Backbone Hooplan