Thomas Wynn and The Believers

Thomas Wynn and The Believers have been touring pretty much nonstop since their latest album Brothers & Sisters was released at the beginning of this year, and Saturday night they were back in NYC at the Knitting Factory. This Southern rock band hails from Orlando, Fla., and in many ways embody everything authentic and raw about the swamp. One of the most standout aspects of their live show is the harmonies between bandleader Thomas Wynn, and his sister Olivia. Most of the time when they are singing, they’re both belting out the words from deep in their bellies, leaving absolutely no room to make a mistake. Singing out so loud and strong like that and being perfectly harmonized every time (because of their “blood harmony,” as Thomas puts it) in itself makes their show remarkable, but there’s even more jamming out and impressive solos to add to that.

They opted to leave out the more down tempo acoustic songs to focus more aon rocking out for this set, along with throwing in a couple of new tunes. They played “Brothers & Sisters,” off their new album, towards the end of the set, which starts off with a familiar sounding drum beat before bass sneaking in, then guitar and blues harp breaking in. This song speaks to a general audience, but also most likely stems from the brother and sister roots of the band.
Songs like this one are so much more dynamic live, with longer guitar solos and more general jamming out. In this way Thomas Wynn & the Believers is very much like how Neil Young & Crazy Horse was, with a short lyrical verse followed by a long jam, brought back to a short lyrical verse, followed by a long jam, repeat. The whole time, the members of the band move like waves, rhythmically leaning forward and back like a call and response. Each member had their time in the spotlight as well, with Olivia starting a song off solo, their bass player getting down on the last song, and plenty of solos for Chris Bell on the blues harp; which he completely killed every time, but when he was playing looked like he really wanted to play guitar by the way he shredded a ghost axe. As for Thomas, he showcased all the right guitar gymnastics, southern style – i.e., stringing together some really wild licks with the guitar faces to go with them. Basically, Thomas Wynn & The Believers play music the way they feel it, accentuated by their southern roots and experiences growing up, and turn it into authentically affecting rock and blues.

Thomas Wynn & The Believers will be back in NYC this Tuesday, July 3rd at Mercury Lounge, and then they head back down south and west. View all dates and cities on their shows page, check them on Facebook, and look at some adorable photos and backstories of the Wynn siblings growing up on Olivia’s blog.
- BestNewBands.com

Bragg Jam Must See:
I do always pick one band, that I have to see, no matter what. Like even if Jesus returned, I'd still try to make sure I wasn't raptured until I could get to see a couple of songs from this one band. This year, that band Is Thomas Wynn and the Believers. He's the son of original Cowboy drummer Tom Wynn, and that whole Capricorn connection is great and all, but this fellow has some serious rock muscle. Do not miss him. In fact, if you see him, throw yourself upon him because this is one of those bands that Bragg Jam may only be able to afford this year.

-- 11thHourOnline

http://11thhouronline.com/pub-notes/2013/7/15/brads-bragg-jam-schedule - 11thhouronline.com

One of the newest brightest tightest, smoothest,most energetic bands to ever come through . . . Alan Walden, 2003 Inductee, Georgia Music Hall Of Fame - Alan Walden, 2003 Inductee, Georgia Music Hall Of Fame

.... Thomas, equal parts Levon Helm (minus the drums) and Waylon Jennings

... as a songwriter, the tunes are brutally honest and heartfelt - every word, every note registers...his sister Olivia, whose sweet, strong vocal response makes the perfect companion to his yearning banshee cries. Her words give lyrical depth and auditory balance to The Believers' delivery.

"For once, you have a Florida band that is Florida. They look Florida, they sound Florida - with a touch of Molly Hatchett sprinkled on The Band, Neil Young, and The Black Crowes. Not hipster . . . transplant Florida, but Florida Florida.

"The sumof the parts is one of the strongest live shows in the state...powerful melodies and hooks, grinding jams with soaring guitars and tight drum work, and a front man that can carry “the weight.”
- REAX MUSIC MAGAZINE

Welcome to a new series in which we slow down the madness of festivals and spotlight one band, one lyric, one song.

Regret and love being the forever currency of any songwriter to walk the Earth, Orlando-based “southern rock muscle” Thomas Wynn and the Believers tread some familiar scorched paths, slathering crunchy backdoor riff rock over Black Crowes six-piece soul. Especially in the scorching late backyard Austin sun this journalist happen to catch them at way out at one of the smattering of gentrified dives dotting the East side. Rock has been here before.

But the genuine factor unfolded sweet and gritty from the get-go, Wynn’s sister chiming in on vocal harmonies, harmonica fills cutting the fat, feedback, and 12 sets of heels clobbering out an all at once glistening and dusty sound of regret only they could create. Even if through a tired old bar tale we all know: “I regret the things we use to say when were drunk/that drove us away.”

Wynn would tell me later that he was referencing some emotions tied to his ex-wife, backing it with the reflection, “I don’t necessarily believe anyone understands what hatred really is,” calling upon a statistic “that says for every bad thing that’s said, ten good things have to be said to counteract that one bad thing.” Through the filth-twang catharsis of the song or not, that’s not tired at all.

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/news/lyricd-sxsw-thomas-wynn-and-the-believers/#tKWvHqQtK5pc0xXj.99 - SongLyrics.com

Very few artists embody this precept as ably as Thomas Wynn, who’s been spreading Southern soul for some time through a couple of excellent roots-rock bands. In this solo performance, it was simple to see why. This guy feels it with every fiber in his being, and so will you when you watch him play. - Orlando Weekly

... one of the most exciting new bands in Florida

Folks stood with their jaws dropped. Several of my friends just shook their heads and said "damn".

Thomas' voice is the key, he's a mix of Ronnie Van Zandt & Otis Redding -southern soul, blues & backed by a tight band that plays blistering rock. I can't remember the last time I was this impressed by a band I knew nothing about ahead of time.
- WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa

Spirit-moving vocals...Thomas Wynn & The Believers were reminiscent of Levon Helm, Neil Young and the Allman Brothers, but they still boldly radiated a sound and southern charm all their own. Even the most skeptic of souls will turn into believers after catching one of their live shows. When the set ended, I had the strange urge to drive to North Florida and gleefully run through the cotton fields, while sipping on moonshine." - Kalene McCort/Metromix Orlando

"The gritty power of Thomas' songwriting is matched only by the authenticity of Olivia's tones and the powerful presence of the band. It ain't no surprise they keep risin' to the top. Experiencing them will lift your spirit and your soul. They're the best and I don’t give a hot dang - if you don’t agree you're just crazy, maybe you just don’t like music! - Ben Phillipps, fan WESH 2 A-LIST

Much of the material on Saturday channeled old-school Memphis R&B as much as rock, allowing Wynn to really let his gritty tenor be carried away by the emotion. The Believers is still a family affair and sister Olivia's presence is expanded in the mix. Her work on the keys adds texture to the songs and her harmonies with her brother are still mighty fine. - JimAbbott/SoundBoard, OrlandoSentinel.com

"One of the joys of living and playing music in and around Orlando is the local talent. It might seem like I'm playing favorites and…you'd be right! After the goldrush of the 90s and the 7M3 craze, not to mention the dreaded (and thankfully dead) boy-band era, comes a band that brings the rock and the roll. I'm talking about Thomas Wynn and the Believers, brothers and sisters. If you've seen them live then you know what I'm talking about. They bring it back, alive! They passionately carry the torch of Florida musicians in name and spirit." zelomagazine.blogspot.com - Blissink Studios - zelomagazine.blogspot.com - Blissink Studios

"I heard Thomas Wynn and the Believers the other night at Bamboo that put me in the mind of Delaney and Bonnie's style. They did a lot of truly excellent originals as well as a couple covers by the Band like "The Weight" and "Evangeline" both of which was sung mightily and raised the hair on my neck. Papers seem to think they are Rock, but I think they are just real good and somehow got tuned into that Delaney, Bonnie, Leon/Shelter People era and are following the path where it left off." Tweedsblues.net/fieldhollars

- Tweedsblues -- Field Hollars

"The real draw of the evening was Thomas Wynn and The Believers. Formerly of The Wynn Brothers Band, Thomas put together a great ensemble that touts a Southern Rock edge with some R&B and a lot of soul mixed in. As FMF 2008 wound down, they lit up Cheyenne Saloon and made for a great ending to a great festival." Jim Carchidi, Fieldsedge.com

5/18/2008 Part II: "Thomas Wynn’s new band, The Believers, was one of the most anticipated acts of the festival. Until last year, Wynn’s former project, The Wynn Brothers Band, were a well respected local band that was a breath of fresh air in the Country music scene. Not only do Thomas Wynn And The Believers live up to the former, but their blend of Country, Rock and Soul make a crowd pleasing performance for any genre-loving audience." Jim Carchidi, Fieldsedge.com
- Jim Carchidi, Fieldsedge.com

"If you've been a loyal reader of this blog, and I know you imaginary friends are nothing if not loyal, then you know that I'm a big fan of Thomas Wynn and the Believers. So I'm happy to report that Wynn and the band are going into the studio this summer to finish a full-length release. The bad news: The band won't be playing in town for a while, so best to catch them Friday, May 30, at BackBooth, in an opening slot for Drive By Truckers' Jason Isbell." JimAbbott/SoundBoard, OrlandoSentinel.com
- JimAbbott/SoundBoard, OrlandoSentinel.com