The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow - Band Together (2020)

The Whiskey Treaty debut album is a testament to a band that's stayed together through life's various stages. Produced by singer/songwriter Johnny Irion, the record features a stunning cast of back up musicians including folk legend Arlo Guthrie and a rhythm section of Pat Sansone (Wilco/The Autumn Defense) and Steve Gorman (the Black Crowes/Trigger Hippy).

Recorded to tape using a vintage Studer mixing console hoofed cross country by Irion from Jackson Browne’s LA studio, the album has the fingerprints of legends all over it. While their aesthetic and inspiration may draw from the masters of the form (James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon), the band's topical songwriting is rooted firmly in the issues of the present. You can hear it in Tory Hanna's footstomping ode to those who rose up at Standing Rock ("Cross My Land") and in Billy Keane's powerful affirmation of the Women's March ("Hey Lady”). The band has the impressive ability to make its message known while never overstepping into pandering melodrama.

“I had a blast with The Whiskey Treaty- and it was to my eternal surprise and relief that a band made up of five songwriters actually functioned as a band. Their support of each other’s songs was inspiring. The album is, in fact, a testament to that support and the collective willingness to give everything they had to each track. It’s tough to find cohesion in a band with two writers- to find it in a band with five is a miracle,” said Steve Gorman.

After Pledge Music went defunct, keeping tens of thousands of dollars fans had pledged to help Whiskey Treaty make this record, Blackwing Music stepped up to help fund and release the album. “Since we reintroduced the Blackwing brand in 2010, a big part of our mission has been to support deserving artists. Whiskey Treaty fits that mission perfectly, and the spirit of the recording hits the heart of the Blackwing ethos,” said Grant Christensen, head of Blackwing.