JONATHAN TERRELL

Jonathan Terrell has been doing things on his own for two decades now. He likes it that way,

conjuring stories from histories both shared and made-up, creating a world from the depths of

his imaginations and from his humble roots in equal parts. Born and raised in a trailer hidden far

in the Pine Curtain of East Texas to a family of ex-religious cult musicians, Terrell has taken the

myths and lineage of his deeply held history and mixed them into a radically inventive career as

the torch-bearer of Austin, Texas’ cosmic country scene.

After crashing down like a UFO in the still nascent days of Austin’s modern era, Terrell quickly

became one of the city’s fastest rising stars, blending the seriousness and dedication it takes to

make it as a songwriter with an unabashed desire to whip every show into a frenzy and have a

wild time. Drenched in sweat but more suave than your best tux, the Jonathan Terrell show

quickly became the stuff of legend.

In the early days, Terrell balanced his burgeoning solo career with his work as frontman of local

rock n roll powerhouse, Not in the Face, showing a duality and versatility rarely seen in country.

Early records like 2008’s Trials & Stimulations and 2015’s Past the Lights of Town established

him as a boozy street poet, a gun-toting feminist (Vice) with the theatrics of a Texas Springsteen

and the introspective power of Townes Van Zandt. He followed those records with his latest

album, 2020’s Westward, which was hailed by Rolling Stone as “irresistible.”

No one has more fun than Jonathan Terrell; you can see it when he’s on-stage making even the

most cynical crowd shake their asses and you can hear it in his songs. With his new EP, A

Couple 2, 3, the singer-songwriter now signed to Range Music has translated his philosophy

into a staggeringly coherent, funny, heartbreaking, and gorgeous project. Highlighted by brilliant

singles like “Better For You,” which comes alongside a self-directed video with frequent

collaborator Shakey Graves onboard as a producer, it’s clear that two decades into this game,

Terrell is firmly in his prime.

“I've had a career doing this for a long time, but I’ve always been on an independent streak,”

Terrell explains with his signature Texas twang. “I’m ready for something new, and I think I have

the material to take that next step.” There’s a bravery in Terrell’s storytelling on this new project

that only comes from repetition and honing the craft. “Better For You” can be summarized with

the simple yet striking line, “Next Time I’ll Be Better For You.” Terrell began writing “I Know” at a

Paul Simon concert, when he saw a beautiful woman running down the aisle with two big beers

splashing down her arms, and “Place Out Back” tells the story of the mobile homes hidden on

ranches and behind bars that he’s called home over the years.

The thread that weaves these disparate tracks together is Jonathan, who tells tales like an old

folk troubadour, updated for the craziness of the 21st century. The way Terrell owns these

songs, honors the stories he tells with joy and bravado, comes from his tenacious work ethic, all

those days on the road, engaging in musical conversations with his fans to figure out what

works best. Hearing Jonathan Terrell perform live, especially these new songs, paints the

picture of a truly unstoppable country star.

Between his side gig touring the world in and with Midland and a record label by his side that

believes in his creative vision as a songwriter, photographer, director, and part time Honky

Tonk/Disco DJ, Jonathan Terrell has finally assembled a team that enables him to be his best

self. “They have my back all the time and I think that makes me write from a stronger

perspective,” adds Terrell. “I don't have any fear at all.”