Crooks - Wildfire

Produced by Danny Reisch (Okkervil River, Shearwater, White Denim), this 2015 album follows up on the breakout success that came with the release of Crooks debut LP The Rain Will Come. Named one of the best albums of the year by Texas Music Magazine and an "essential Texas album" by the Houston Press, the album introduced Crooks to even wider audiences, earning national coverage from outlets like CMT, Garden & Gun, MTV Hive, American Songwriter and others. Frontman Josh Mazour originally formed Crooks as an outlet for the dark, lonesome side of his songwriting, performing live as a stripped-down duo at dive bars around Austin. Things have grown from there, and he's now backed on-stage by stand-up bass, accordion, trumpet, drums, percussion and a second guitarist that come together to create a notoriously rowdy live show. Mazour describes his style as simply "unapologetic country songwriting," influenced by greats like Hank Williams Sr., Townes Van Zandt, Billy Joe Shaver and Merle Haggard. "Country music is honest music," he says. "You can get straight to your point, and if no one likes it, that's fine. But you don't have to hide your feelings." With their unconventional approach, Crooks are both pushing the boundaries of modern country music and reclaiming decades-old traditions for a new generation of Texas outlaws.