Using vintage blues and soul as their musical foundation, is a band that brews up a sound inspired by their home base of Memphis with ingredients from around the world. Lead singer takes inspiration from soul divas of the '60s and '70s as well as contemporary R&B artists, and guitarist plays blues-influenced leads filtered through the swagger of rock & roll. The group's blues-plus-soul formula was introduced on their self-titled 2017 debut album, while funkier rhythms filled out the attack on 2019's . In 2021, the group issued the -produced , which was nominated for a Grammy award in the best blues album category. Following support tours, the band signed with Chicago's Alligator Records label, and entered a Memphis studio with producer , and a small handful of guests including . They emerged with in April 2025.

Guitarist was born and raised in Israel, and he began learning to play guitar at the age of five. In his teens, he studied guitar and was familiar with jazz, classical, and funk techniques before he became fascinated with the blues. After completing school, landed a job as a systems engineer with a major technology company, but he continued to play as often as his schedule permitted. The Ori Naftaly Band released their debut album, A True Friend (Is Hard to Find), in 2011, and he made his way to Memphis in 2013 to compete in the International Blues Challenge.

liked Memphis and its music scene, and decided to relocate there, forming a new band and playing out regularly. However, he was eager to make some creative changes when he met singer , a Memphis native who grew up singing in church and was a veteran of several cover bands. was impressed by 's powerful skills as a singer, and the two decided to form a group of their own, bringing in 's sister to play drums and sister Ava to play violin; both women provide vocal harmonies. With the addition of Jeremy Powell on keyboards and on bass, 's lineup was complete, and they hit the road, building a following in the United States and Europe, playing festival dates, and reaching the finals of the International Blues Challenge.

Word about the group made its way to the re-activated Stax Records label, one of the most successful and influential soul labels of the '60s and '70s, and Stax signed to a recording contract. Their self-titled debut album was released in February 2017 and rose to number six on the Blues charts, as well as staying in the Top 30 of the Americana Airplay charts for close to six months. also won the award for Best Emerging Artist Album from the Blues Foundation. To stoke demand for the album and thank their fans, toured extensively, playing over 300 shows before they returned to the studio to begin work on their second LP. By the time recording began, had dropped out of , and Gage Markey took over on bass for their live shows. The band's second full-length set, , was released in May 2019 and added greater funk influences to their sound. topped the group's debut on the Blues charts, peaking at number five and earning a Grammy nomination.

In June 2021 the band issued the single "Push Now," and followed it in August with their third full length, . Produced by 's , the set also featured guest appearances from and . While touring in supportof the recording, they earned a Grammy nomination for best blues album. They spent nearly two years on the road.

In 2024, signed with Alligator Records, arguably the best known blues label in North America. They enlisted producer and Concord label co-founder (,

, , ) and engineer and convened at Memphis's Royal Studios with a small cast of friends that included and Blake Rhea playing bass, and Powell on keyboards. The 14-song set was released in April 2025. ~ Mark Deming

Credits for Southern Avenue