The Belleville Outfit

Gigs connected by long winding roads through North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and on to Colorado and California, via the many places in between, have helped weave the charm and energy that defines The Belleville Outfit’s second album, TIME TO STAND. The album, set for release on May 12 showcases the young band’s signature style of gypsy swing, jazz, big band, country and Americana roots music, highlighted by songs including “Sunday Morning,” “Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby” and “Once and For All.” The new record comes on the heels of the band’s successful 2008 self-released debut, WANDERIN’, which spent more than 20 weeks on the Americana radio chart, rising to 10.

The sights and sounds of soulful roads traveled influenced the music the band has performed for thousands upon thousands of people. While sharing stages with Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, and the Del McCoury Band, The Belleville Outfit soaked up both nuance and energy. Brought together less than two years ago, the six band members’ personal stories also helped contribute to a distinctive swing and often sassy sound that defines TIME TO STAND. New songs have emerged from the band, which includes members Marshall Hood (acoustic and electric guitar, harmony vocals); Rob Teter (acoustic and electric guitar and lead vocals), Jeff Brown (upright and electric bass), Jonathan Konya (drums and percussion), Connor Forsyth (piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3, Rhodes, vocals), and Phoebe Hunt (violin, lead and harmony vocals). This merger of talent and experience has firmly established the band within the fabric of its genre.

Marshall, Champ Hood’s nephew, Rob and Jeff were originally members of The DesChamps Band in high school in South Carolina. The three moved .. graduating and later reconnected in Austin when a performance was booked at MerleFest. Additional band members were recruited through connections Rob had made while studying music at Loyola University. Fellow students Jonathan and Connor left New Orleans for Austin to join the band that was to become The Belleville Outfit. The final addition was Austin’s darling, Phoebe, who had been playing with the folk band The Hudsons out of Austin for four years. With Phoebe on board, the band's electrifying stage presence was now undeniable, and after several rehearsals, each band member knew that something good was waiting for them on the road ahead.

TIME TO STAND introduces bodacious harmonies, creating glorious new tunes that outshine the sun. Each song inspires comfort, like neighbors chatting across the fence on a warm spring day. TIME TO STAND will follow the listener long after the band has headed out on the road to its next gig.