The Cold Stares Channel the Ghosts of the Delta and Blues Legend Robert Johnson on Haunting New Single “Mortality Blues”

1st August 2024 0 By Jon Deaux

The Cold Stares have released “Mortality Blues,” the latest single from their highly anticipated seventh studio album, ‘The Southern,’ set to drop on September 6th via Mascot Records. An eerie, modern Delta blues track played on singer-guitarist Chris Tapp’s resonator guitar, the haunting song is infused with Southern imagery and thematics, drawing on the mythos of legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson.

“I had Robert Johnson on my mind for a couple songs on this album,” Tapp shares. “I had read a few biographies that recently came out, and it always seemed Robert was doing his best to stay alive in a time where it wasn’t necessarily easy. The song is my contemporary version of my delta blues influences, and is about looking around and seeing others take risk with mortality, while you are doing your best just to stay alive.”

Known for their electrifying blend of blues-rock, The Cold Stares delve deep into their Southern roots with this poignant track that highlights their Delta blues influences. Tapp is a cancer survivor, and it’s hard not to read into some of the lyrics on “Mortality Blues” and not think of his brave journey. “I can’t see how some folks set their mind on dying/When I’m doing my best, just to stay alive,” Tapp howls. Featuring fuzzed-out guitars, Zep-style riffs, and fleet-fingered Cream-style improvisations, the song captures the raw essence of Delta blues while adding a contemporary twist.

Pre-order The Southern here – https://lnk.to/TheColdStares

They will also be coming to the UK for a run of shows for August and September starting on 30 August at The Carlisle in Hastings, before heading to the Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham, then they will be playing Sunflower Lounge (Birmingham), The 1865 (Southampton), New Cross Inn (London) and The Bourne Music Club (Sittingbourne). Tickets are available HERE

Drawing deep into their Southern roots for the first time on record, the album embodies a true reflection of their heritage. “When it came time to record this album, I thought about everybody giving us this Southern rock tag, and decided to intentionally write songs that explore that,” says singer-guitarist Chris Tapp. “In doing so, I realized that being Southern, for me, is more than an accent, and a setlist of songs. It’s about family and tradition.”

The previous single, “Coming Home,” is a plaintive, bluesy number played on dobro, echoing the depth of Southern familial ties and personal resilience. “Perhaps our most rootsy song to date, I wrote this song after a trip back to my hometown in Kentucky,” Tapp shares. “Touring the world and seeing so many countries has made me realize how unique the place I grew up was, and this song is just about getting back to our roots and where we came from.” Tapp sings about the enduring advice of his father: “My Father said son don’t forget to pray/Cause you know there will come a day/When this old world turns against you/You better have a plan to make your way.”

Initially formed in 2012, The Cold Stares began its career as a duo, but expanded its sonic firepower with the addition of bassist Bryce Klueh in 2022. The Cold Stares has been praised by Classic Rock Magazine, No Depression, and American Songwriter, among other outlets; reached #1 on Amazon Music’s Blues Rock album chart; earned prime sync license placements in commercials, on major network television, and on sports games. Their song, “Mojo Hand,” is the trailer song for Cyberpunk 2077, and has amassed over 10 million streams on YouTube. The band has shared stages with Larkin Poe, Rival Sons, Reignwolf, JJ Grey & Mofro, Spoon, Grand Funk Railroad, and Thievery Corp.

Though the trio has below the Mason-Dixon Line origins, the group mines a woolier sound than expected. Fuzzed-out guitars, Zep-style riffs, and fleet-fingered Cream-style improvisations abound, as do nods to Delta blues.

“We are so proud to tip a hat to Kentucky on this album, and embrace being ambassadors of the South,” Tapp concludes, bringing the journey of ‘The Southern’ full circle—a heartfelt tribute to the land and stories that shaped them.

EU Tour Dates:
23 Aug – Sønderborghus Sonderborg, Denmark
24 Aug – Karosserifabrikken, Helsingør, Denmark
25 Aug – Music Star, Norderstedt, Germany
26 Aug – Music Star, Norderstedt, Germany
27 Aug – Hafenbar Tegel, Berlin, Germany
29 Aug – Musiktheater Piano, Dortmund, Germany
30 Aug – The Carlisle, Hastings, UK
31 Aug – Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham, UK
1 Sep – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK
3 Sep – The 1865, Southampton, UK
4 Sep – New Cross Inn, London, UK
5 Sep – The Bourne Music Club, Sittingbourne, UK
7 Sep – Breda Barst Festival, Breda, The Netherlands
8 Sep – De Blaaspijp, Koekelare, Belgium