Austin’s Kalu & The Electric Joint are back with a stellar new single “Garden of Eden,” which is out now. The track will be accompanied by a stunning new music video directed, shot, and edited by Barbara FG. “Garden of Eden” is the latest in a string of singles the band has released during the pandemic and is part of a bigger body of work they’ve been working on since 2019. Kalu shares the inspiration, “‘Garden of Eden’ centers around the struggles of remaining open and vulnerable in relationships, partnerships, and life without letting past experiences negatively dictate the future, often robbing us of the gift of the present, which is now.” Pre-save at https://ffm.to/y1on1ne.OIS.

Kalu and the Electric Joint blend the powers of psychedelic soul music with the driving beat of rock and roll and the ancient rhythms of Africa. Born in Nigeria, Kalu at age 18 first moved to New York before relocating to Austin, Texas, where he and JT Holt (Guitarist, Producer/Engineer) put together a stellar ensemble of players who graciously fuel and follow his deep well of eclectic influences. This musical chemistry comes from the bond forged by frontman Kalu James, and guitarist Jonathan “JT” Holt, who adds a touch of American soul to Kalu’s West African heritage.

Other poignant singles recently released include “Downfall” in 2021, an offering channeling the late Martin Luther King, and an uncanny foreshadowing (when recorded) of what was to come less than a year later with the BLM movement. And 2020’s “Shadows” and “Mirror” delivering a positive, yet cautionary tale in these turbulent times, uplifting their listeners and compelling them to speak out.

These singles are just a taste of what’s to come from KEJ’s upcoming full length. After two years of touring hard behind the band’s first release, KEJ went through rhythm section personnel transitions. That didn’t stop them from recording new music and in March 2019 they worked with Dallas producer Jason Burt, who’s collaborated with Leon Bridges, John Mayer, and worked with Texas Gentlemen, Paul Cauthen, SirWoman, and David Ramirez. This session would be the direction of the new record. Kalu explains, “We had become our own rhythm section with the abilities Burt came armed with using Synthetic drum/Synths/Keys. JT Holt playing the acoustic drums, guitars, lap steel, and both trading bass duties. We continued working on the album throughout the pandemic and as the record moved along in production, Robb Kidd and Johnny Radelat re-cut acoustic drums on 3 songs.”