Jenny Don't & the Spurs, Nate Gibson & the Stardazers

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Jen Borst

The band Jenny Don't & the Spurs in the mountains.

Jenny Don't & the Spurs

Portland, Oregon, quartet Jenny Don’t & the Spurs has been playing roots rock-inflected country for more than a decade now, sticking tenaciously to their DIY roots and building a following the old-fashioned way: a steady stream of good records and touring everywhere. The road brings them to Madison just ahead of a new album: Broken Hearted Blue, out June 14. The singles so far include the bouncy twanger “You’re What I Need” and the introspective, trem-laden “Unlucky Love.” Opening is a Madison band that can also play the country, the rock and in-between: Nate Gibson & the Stardazers.

media release: The raucous intro of Jenny Don’t and the Spurs’ new tune “You’re What I Need” merely hints at what’s to come in the band’s ode to fans and friends around the globe. “This song was inspired by really wanting to show appreciation for everyone we’ve met on the road and for their continuous support,” says Don’t who, along with the Spurs, is known for giving every ounce of effort every time the band takes the stage. “We’ll go to great lengths to make it to a show. Crossing scorching deserts, oceans, snowy mountains, and sweltering jungles…literally,” she laughs. “Touring life is addictive. Every night we meet new friends and reunite with familiar faces from previous shows. Coming from humble beginnings, we never imagined we’d have the chance to travel to most of the places we’ve been.”

Throughout “You’re What I Need,” the entirety of the Spurs feel right on the edge, their honky-tonk race car energy searching for grip in every turn. Kelly Halliburton’s lightning-fast bass lines follow Buddy Weeks’ thunderous fills tit for tat while Christopher March keeps it all flowing together while alternating between baritone-sounding licks and classic chicken pickin’ lead. For longtime fans of Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, “You’re What I Need” is a studio reminder of the band’s on-stage energy, and for newcomers, a sneak peek of what keeps fans—and in turn, the band—coming back night after night. “We're trekking around the world because you're what we need!” 

FLOOD Magazine premiered “You’re What I Need," the latest single from Jenny Don’t and the Spurs' upcoming album, Broken Hearted Blue—out June 14 on Fluff and Gravy Records. It follows the band’s previously-released singles “Pain In My Heart” and “Unlucky Love” at their respective links. Pre-order or pre-save Broken Hearted Blue ahead of its release right here.

More About Broken Hearted Blue: With their exciting new album, Broken Hearted Blue, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs—Jenny Don’t (vocals/guitar), Kelly Halliburton (bass), Christopher March (guitar), and Buddy Weeks (drums)—present ten dynamic songs that channel the essence of the Northwest’s music sounds while evoking the nostalgia of the Western frontier. Produced by Collin Hegna (Brian Jonestown Massacre, Federale), this album is a testament to Hegna's meticulous craftsmanship. With his guidance, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have created a musical tapestry that highlights each member's talents.

“On this album, Kelly and I collaborated more closely than ever, shaping most of the musical parts together,” reflecting on their growth both as a couple and as a band. Jenny expresses, "We're just fed up with mainstream music's repetitive nature and the confines of genres. Each of us brings our own musical flavors to the table, emphasizing the importance of authenticity over conformity. Our music pulls from a variety of genres, which can be a bit tricky to define. But Collin really nailed it, capturing our blend of country, rock and roll, with that added touch of Western charm." 

Broken Hearted Blue is a significant milestone, as it marks Buddy Weeks' debut on drums. The loss of longtime drummer Sam Henry (The Wipers, Poison Idea, Napalm Beach) to cancer in 2022 was a devastating blow that would have halted many bands. However, instead of slowing down, the Spurs intensified their touring and recording efforts, determined to honor Sam's legacy by forging ahead with their musical journey. The album track “Bones in the Sand” draws from that profound experience and the resilience found amidst it.