The Lone Bellow recorded their self-titled debut album at New York’s Rockwood Music Hall over three days and three nights, and it “represents the first 12 songs we put together—basically our first setlist as a band,” says Zach Williams, The Lone Bellow’s lead singer and principal songwriter. Drawing from Southern folk, gospel and country, the trio plays their own brand of “storytelling songs” that “sound and feel like they come from the bottom of our souls—like a bull’s bellow,” reminiscent of noises heard during summers Williams spent at his grandparents’ house as a boy. The three decided to form a band in the fall of 2010 after a random 9 a.m. jam session at Dizzy’s Diner in Brooklyn. “We can be honest with each other when we don’t think something is a good idea,” Williams says of his bandmates, guitarist Brian Elmquist and singer Kanene Pipkin. “We also love singing together, so the melodies usually give way to that—the songs come from personal experiences.” The rest of the band is comprised of some of their local neighbors in Brooklyn, which the native Georgian says has “the vibe of a small town” and “helped our Southern roots—it brought back to life that storytelling value that we grew up in.” After headlining a tour this past fall, The Lone Bellow are writing songs and looking toward their next record. “We try hard to be a part of moments that are special, and we hope everyone in the room will try to go there with us.”