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Street Beat Brass Releases New Single “Out West” from Their Album Down The Block

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2 months ago

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NYC-based brass sensation Street Beat Brass unveils their new single “Out West,” the first taste of their album Down The Block, which was released on May 1, 2026 via Big Sky Press.

Inspired by a cross-country family road trip through the American Southwest, “Out West” captures the raw beauty and vastness of desert landscapes. Bandleader and composer Jeff Fairbanks drew from his 2023 journey through the Rocky Mountains and the red rock canyons of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico to shape the track’s vivid sonic identity.

“I wanted to depict the rough, rugged desert, open sky, and red rock,” says Fairbanks. “You can hear that in the textures—the sand shaker throughout, and even a tambourine in the intro mimicking a rattlesnake.”

The track not only paints a cinematic soundscape but also spotlights a special guest: Fairbanks’ son, Teo Fairbanks, whose dynamic drumming brings both energy and emotional depth to the recording.

“Out West” blends the band’s signature New Orleans brass foundation with Latin grooves and expansive arrangements, offering a fresh, immersive listening experience that reflects both movement and storytelling.

Street Beat Brass is widely recognized for its genre-defying approach, fusing jazz, gospel, soul, funk, Caribbean, Latin, and global influences into a uniquely American sound. Known for their fully mobile, acoustic setup, the band can perform seamlessly in motion—whether leading a parade or commanding a stage—creating what many describe as a “roving musical party.”

Formed in 2012, the group has built an impressive résumé, including opening for the New York Philharmonic, performing at major events like the Kentucky Derby, and appearing on national and international television broadcasts across ABC, NBC, Fox, and beyond. Their members—seasoned, conservatory-trained musicians—have collectively toured and performed with icons such as Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and Frankie Valli.

“Out West” offers a compelling preview of Down The Block, an all-original album that expands the band’s sound while staying rooted in the infectious energy and musical diversity that define Street Beat Brass.

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The Songs of Butler & Cupples Prioritise Craft on Intimate New Single ‘Better off Lost’

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5 days ago

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July 3, 2026

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Following the momentum of their first three breakout releases earlier this year, genre-fluid project The Songs of Butler & Cupples have returned with ‘Better off Lost’. A stripped-back, intimate offering that further sharpens their songcraft-first ethos, the release reinforces the duo’s position as one of the most forward-thinking, emerging songwriting projects operating outside the traditional band framework.

Conceived entirely as a vehicle where pure songcraft remains the central focus, The Songs of Butler & Cupples was formed in direct response to a contemporary music landscape increasingly shaped by image, algorithms, and visual perception rather than musical composition.

Led by two highly experienced industry songwriters, the project is intentionally fluid. It allows musical ideas to dictate their own final form without being restricted by rigid genre conventions or commercial chart expectations. With ‘Better off Lost’, the pair turn inward, embracing an acoustic-led direction underpinned by Americana-leaning textures and delicate, emotive vocal arrangements.


Sonically, the track marks a further evolution in their rapidly expanding creative palette. Built around a gentle acoustic guitar foundation, ‘Better off Lost’ foregrounds vulnerability and vocal performance above all else. The raw emotional delivery is elevated by subtle, layered harmonies and understated pop sensibilities that give the track its modern, polished edge.

The duo’s stylistic range has already drawn comparisons to boundary-pushing artists such as Miley Cyrus and Kacey Musgraves, whose recent celebrated works have helped reframe contemporary Americana within the broader pop landscape. Like those icons, Butler & Cupples demonstrate a versatile range that fiercely resists easy categorization.

Across their 2026 discography, they have proven comfortable shifting between entirely different sonic worlds, including: Electronic-Leaning Production: Utilising sleek, modern digital textures. Experimental & Rock Influence: Embracing grittier, guitar-driven edge and unpredictable structures. Acoustic Minimalism: As heard on the new single, proving that a strong emotional through-line remains intact regardless of the instrumentation.


Rather than chasing viral TikTok trends or tailoring their masters for playlist algorithms, the project remains deeply rooted in strong structural songwriting, genuine emotional resonance, and absolute creative freedom.

At its core, The Songs of Butler & Cupples functions as an open creative framework without built-in limitations or outside expectations. ‘Better off Lost’ stands as another clear statement of intent from the duo: that well-crafted songs, when given proper breathing room and unfiltered honesty, still possess the power to cut through the modern noise.

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