GRAMMY-nominated Memphis soul-blues powerhouse Southern Avenue have released their brand-new single, Upside, available now on all digital platforms. The track is taken from their upcoming Alligator Records debut album, Family, due out April 25, 2025, on CD, translucent green vinyl LP, and across all streaming services.
Upside arrives alongside a striking new lyric video and a wave of radio buzz. Within its first week, the song became one of the most added singles on the Americana Radio Singles Chart, receiving strong support from NPR Music stations across the U.S., including WFUV (New York), WMOT (Nashville), and WFPK (Louisville). Southern Avenue will also celebrate the release with a live performance on NPR station WXPN’s Free At Noon concert series, broadcasting today from World Café Live in Philadelphia.
A Song About Joy, Gratitude, and Living in the Moment
With soaring harmonies, a soulful groove, and a message of resilience, Upside sets the tone for an album rooted in growth and unity.
“Every day’s a new chance to find your joy,” says lead vocalist Tierinii Jackson. “Upside is all about embracing that. It’s about dancing through uncertainty and choosing to see the beauty in every new day.”
Ori Naftaly, the band’s guitarist, co-writer and founding member, adds: “This song is about the here and now. It’s a reminder to let go of baggage and choose to see the light in every moment.”
A Band Like No Other
Nominated for 2025’s Blues Music Award for Band of the Year, Southern Avenue continue to redefine the modern roots sound. The band is led by Tierinii, backed by her Memphis-born sisters Tikyra (TK) on drums and vocals, and Ava on violin, percussion, and vocals. Guitarist and producer Ori Naftaly, originally from Israel, founded the band after arriving in Memphis in 2013 to perform at the International Blues Challenge.
The chemistry between them is undeniable. “We’ve been a family ever since,” says Tierinii, reflecting on how the group formed in 2015. Southern Avenue takes its name from the storied Memphis street that runs past the original home of Stax Records—the very label that signed them in 2017, making them the first Memphis act to join the newly revived imprint. Their self-titled debut was followed by Keep On, earning a GRAMMY nomination and propelling them to international acclaim.
A Journey Through Highs, Lows, and Unbreakable Bonds
Their new album Family is described by Ori as “the story of how we found each other, held on through the highs and lows, and built something stronger than we ever imagined.” For a band rooted in gospel, soul, and the rich musical heritage of Memphis, the album is both a celebration of connection and a return to the raw essence of the blues.
Following a run of global tours and a spot on the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and John Mellencamp, Family looks set to be Southern Avenue’s most personal and powerful work to date.
