Jamestown Revival is an American folk duo made up of Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay. The childhood friends from Magnolia, Texas, write songs about everyday life that are a combination of harmonies that merge Southern country, Americana and Western rock music. Their first album Utah was originally self-released in early 2014 and then re-released by Republic Records later the same year. iTunes named Utah Best of 2014: Singer-Songwriter Album of the Year. Jamestown Revival has been featured in Rolling Stone magazine and covered in the Wall Street Journal. The band has made appearances at music festivals in the U.S., including the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and a musical appearance on Conan.
History Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay grew up together in Magnolia, Texas, and collaborated on their first song at the age of 15. Each launched solo singer-songwriter careers and were on tour as individual artists who would sing harmonies on each other's work. It was decided to form a band with harmonies at the forefront as it generated positive audience response. Jamestown Revival was formed in 2010 as a duo and expanded to a five-member band. The name Jamestown Revival was derived from one of the first United States settlements, Jamestown, Virginia, homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the concept of leaving behind the old and starting anew. The band wrote music they wanted to hear rather than what appealed to the masses using the music they listened to as a gauge of quality of their work. The band's music inspirations come from storytellers of adventure such as Louis L'Amour, Willie Nelson and John Prine as well as nature, and simplicity. Jamestown Revival's first album, Utah, was named for the band's recording location in the Wasatch mountains, Utah, where while living in a cabin they used minimal recording studio equipment to create a unique style. The band's temporary move from Texas to California inspired their song "California (Cast Iron Soul)". Jonathan and Zach currently reside outside of Austin, TX.
Chance and Clay, in collaboration with Justin Levine, composed the score for the Broadway musical The Outsiders, which opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on April 11, 2024. The show received positive reviews, winning the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical, with Chance and Clay (as Jamestown Revival) nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score.
Members Current Zach Chance – piano, vocals Jonathan Clay – guitar, vocals Ed Benrock – drums Nick Bearden – bass Dan Reckard - organ, keys, saxophone
Previous Brad Lindsay – guitar
Discography
Albums Studio albums + List of albums, with selected chart positionsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionAmericana/Folk UtahReleased: February 11, 2014 Label: Self-released Re-released by Republic Format: Digital download, streaming 13 The Education of a Wandering ManReleased: October 7, 2016 Label: Universal Format: Digital download, streaming 11 San IsabelReleased: June 14, 2019 Label: Thirty Tigers Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming — Young Man Released: January 14, 2022 Label: Thirty Tigers Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl—
Live albums TitleAlbum details Live from Largo at the Coronet TheaterReleased: June 26, 2018 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming
Extended plays TitleAlbum details The Knives & Pipes EPReleased: February 3, 2011 Label: Eat Raw Format: Digital download The California EPReleased: October 15, 2013 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download A Field Guide to LonelinessReleased: October 16, 2020 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Fireside with Louis L'Amour: A Collection of Songs Inspired by Tales from the American WestReleased: May 28, 2021 Label: Self-released Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
Singles Title Year Album Ref. "Fur Coat Blues" 2012 Utah "Love is a Burden" 2016 The Education of a Wandering Man "Goodnight Hollywood" 2018 "This Too Shall Pass" 2019 San Isabel "Operator" San Isabel B Sides "Dead Wrong" "Helplessly Hoping"2020 "Bluebird" Field Guide to Loneliness "Loneliness" "Temporary Revelation" "Prospector Blues" 2021 Fireside with Louis L'Amour: A Collection of Songs Inspired by Tales from the American West "Young Man" Young Man "These Days" "Working on Love"
Music videos TitleYearAlbum "Medicine" 2013 Utah "California (Cast Iron Soul)" 2014 "Love is a Burden" 2016 The Education of a Wandering Man "Goodbye Hollywood" 2018 — "Prospector Blues" 2021 Fireside with Louis L'Amour: A Collection of Songs Inspired by Tales from the American West "Bound for El Paso"
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