St. Paul and the Broken Bones

St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Name	St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Origin	Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Genres	Soul, R&B, Southern soul
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Records, Single Lock Records, Elektra Records
Associated acts	Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Nathaniel Rateliff, Alabama Shakes

St. Paul and the Broken Bones is an American soul band formed in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring a horn-driven ensemble and the lead vocals of Paul Janeway. The group blends elements of classic Southern soul with contemporary R&B and rock, drawing attention from mainstream media, major festivals, and peers across genres. Their rise involved collaborations, critical acclaim, and touring with artists spanning Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Nathaniel Rateliff, Alabama Shakes, Bruno Mars, and Tom Jones.

History

Formed in 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama, the band coalesced around singer Paul Janeway and arranger/keyboardist Jesse Phillips, with early support from local venues such as the Lyric Theatre (Birmingham), Iron City (Birmingham) and promoters connected to the Southeast touring circuit. After a breakout session recorded at Fame Studios-influenced sessions and production assistance from entities related to Single Lock Records and John Paul White, their debut album was released to national attention; the group subsequently signed with Records and later Elektra Records, leading to expanded distribution and festival bookings. They gained momentum through performances at SXSW, Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and appearances on television programs including Late Show with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, while members collaborated with artists connected to Sturgill Simpson, Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, Leon Bridges, and Sharon Jones affiliates. The band navigated lineup changes, studio sessions in Nashville, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana, and tours across North America, Europe, and Australia, further entrenching ties with labels such as ATO Records and production figures who worked with Danger Mouse and T Bone Burnett.

Musical style and influences

Their sound references the legacy of Stax Records, Atlantic Records sessions, and the vocal traditions of artists like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Al Green, while incorporating horn arrangements reminiscent of Tower of Power and the orchestral soul of Isaac Hayes. Elements of southern musical culture from Muscle Shoals and recording approaches pioneered at Fame Studios and Sun Studio are evident alongside inspirations from contemporary performers such as Bruno Mars, Adele, Anderson .Paak, and Leon Bridges. Production aesthetics draw on techniques associated with producers like Jim Dickinson, Rick Rubin, and Dan Auerbach, and the band frequently cites live acts including Sheryl Crow, Alabama Shakes, and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats as points of reference. Their repertoire spans original compositions and arrangements that evoke the songwriting lineage of Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, Prince, and horn charts similar to those used by Charles Mingus-era ensembles and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Members

Core members have included Paul Janeway (lead vocals) alongside musicians with backgrounds connected to regional and national acts: Jesse Phillips (bass, keyboards) with ties to Single Lock Records collaborators; Browan Lollar (guitar) with session work reminiscent of Duane Allman-era players; Al Gamble (keys) who has performed in circuits overlapping Booker T. Jones associates; and a horn section featuring trombonists, trumpeters, and saxophonists who have shared stages with ensembles like Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Soul Rebels. Touring and studio personnel have at times intersected with musicians linked to Nathaniel Rateliff, Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, Jack White, Eddie Harsch-related lineages, and session scenes in Nashville and New Orleans. Guest contributors on recordings and live dates have included vocalists and instrumentalists associated with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Memphis Horns, Stax house band alumni, and contemporary collaborators such as Mavis Staples-adjacent musicians.

Discography

Studio albums, singles, and notable releases include their debut followed by subsequent records produced and distributed through indie and major labels connected to Single Lock Records, Elektra Records, and distribution channels used by artists like Alabama Shakes and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats. The group’s catalog features original tracks and singles that received airplay on stations and platforms promoted alongside artists such as BBC Radio 6 Music, KEXP, NPR Music, SiriusXM programs, and playlists curated with songs from Leon Bridges and Bruno Mars. Releases have been pressed on vinyl by imprints that have previously worked with Third Man Records partners and pressed in studios frequented by session musicians tied to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and Fame Studios alumni.

Tours and notable performances

Tour history encompasses headline runs and support slots with Bruno Mars, Tom Jones, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats, and festival appearances at Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, Lollapalooza, Bonaroo, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Montreux Jazz Festival. Television performances on Late Show with David Letterman, Conan O'Brien programs, and Saturday Night Live bolstered their profile, as did appearances on Austin City Limits and collaborative sets with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and guest spots for artists like Mavis Staples and Charles Bradley-associated musicians. International touring included venues in London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, and Sydney, often booked alongside agency rosters that promote artists such as Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, and Jack White.

Critical reception and awards

Critics from outlets including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The New York Times, The Guardian, NPR Music, and BBC Music have reviewed studio albums and live performances, often comparing the band’s energy to classic soul acts like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett while noting contemporary affinities with Bruno Mars and Leon Bridges. The band has appeared on year-end lists alongside releases by Adele, Kendrick Lamar, and Lorde in aggregated best-of lists, and has received nominations and honors from organizations and ceremonies that recognize Americana and R&B artists, in contexts similar to recognition given by the Americana Music Association, Grammy Awards-adjacent critics, and regional music awards connected to Alabama and Tennessee music communities. Coverage in publications such as Esquire, GQ, Vanity Fair, and Vogue highlighted their stage presence and cultural resonance, while radio and streaming platforms placed tracks alongside playlists featuring Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Sharon Jones.

Category:American soul musical groups