Jay Buchanan: Rival Sons, Solo Album "Weapons of Beauty" & Desert Solitude EP | 28

In this exclusive episode of The Sonic Road Podcast, Jay Buchanan (lead singer of Rival Sons) joins host Beau to discuss his deeply personal solo record, Weapons of Beauty. Follow Jay Buchanan on Instagram: @jaythebirdthatsings Listen & Purchase Weapons Of Beauty Here: weaponsofbeauty.com Follow Rival Sons Here: rivalsons.com Follow The Sonic Road Podcast HERE: https://linktr.ee/thesonicroad On Instagram, Facebook, X & TikTok: @thesonicroad Jay details his three-month writing retreat in an underground Mojave Desert bunker, where he forced himself into a sparse, reductive sound centered on vocal melody. Go behind the scenes of the recording sessions in Savannah with legendary producer Dave Cobb, featuring a powerhouse band including JD Simo and the Powell brothers. Jay also shares the story of collaborating with filmmaker Scott Cooper (director of Hostiles, Crazy Heart) on album sequencing and commissioning world-renowned painter Jeremy Lipking for the cover art. We also get a major update on the future of Rival Sons, and their label Sacred Tongue Recordings, and the status of their next studio album. From vinyl snobbery and AI to the challenges of touring while balancing family health, this is a comprehensive look at one of rock's most authentic voices in 2026. Video Chapters: 00:00 – Jay Buchanan: Releasing "Weapons of Beauty" 02:01 – Mojave Desert Solitude: Writing in a Bunker 09:13 – The Vulnerability of Solo Performance 13:49 – Recording with Dave Cobb in Savannah 18:10 – The Studio Band: JD Simo & The Powell Brothers 20:52 – Vinyl Sequencing with Director Scott Cooper 25:51 – Landing a Jeremy Lipking Painting for the Cover 29:57 – 17 Years of Rival Sons: The Next Record 34:22 – Sacred Tongue Recordings: Why Start a Label? 37:25 – 2026 Tour Dates and Family Health Update 43:32 – Record Recommendations: Daniel Norgren & Fela Kuti Follow Jay Buchanan on Instagram: @jaythebirdthatsings Listen & Purchase Weapons Of Beauty Here: weaponsofbeauty.com Follow Rival Sons Here: rivalsons.com Follow The Sonic Road Podcast HERE: https://linktr.ee/thesonicroad On Instagram, Facebook, X & TikTok: @thesonicroad #TheSonicRoadPodcast #JayBuchanan #RivalSons #DaveCobb #WeaponsOfBeauty #NewMusic2026