ABOUT
Formed in 2025 in Austin, TX, Son Solitaire is singer-songwriter and guitarist Woody Russell’s new band, distilled from a solitary recording experiment during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Writing and recording alone in his home studio, Russell abandoned preconceptions and experimented freely — ultimately disrupting what he saw as his long-standing artistic archetype. The result yielded a three-song EP, This Is Son Solitaire, released in late 2023. In 2024, the EP landed on the Official 67th Annual Grammy Ballot for Best Alternative Music Performance, appearing alongside one of Russell’s heroes, Nick Cave. It was a moment he describes as “personally symbolic" , adding that it felt like a "baptism for Son Solitaire, to be named among that list of artists.”
As a songwriter and observer, Russell leans into vulnerability and wonder; valuing sincerity in sound, story and a shared human experience. His writing is immersive and boundary-crossing, drawing from folk, blues, jazz and “more British leaning” rock traditions. Russell has since elevated Son Solitaire from its solitary studio origin to a live band crafting new music unbeholden to any singular sonic imprint. It's a purpose-built amplification of his mature, story-driven songcraft, poised between lighter conversational narratives and darker observations.
On stage, Son Solitaire performances spiral out from an intersection of intimate musings, cinematic atmospheres, gothic blues and fuzzed-out, guitar-centric rock. The band, as a core trio, highlights Russell’s capabilities as a fearless guitarist and a gifted raconteur ruminating in the company of an intuitive rhythm section courtesy of Greg Madianos (bass, keys) and Mike Zeoli (drums).
MUSIC
In 2023, Woody Russell released This Is Son Solitaire; a 3-song, alt-rock EP praised by The Hollywood Digest for aspiring “to more than mere entertainment.” The songs were written and recorded by Russell as a solo studio Read more
In 2023, Woody Russell released This Is Son Solitaire; a 3-song, alt-rock EP praised by The Hollywood Digest for aspiring “to more than mere entertainment.” The songs were written and recorded by Russell as a solo studio experiment in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown. This Is Son Solitaire appeared on the Official 67th Annual Grammy Ballot for Best Alternative Music Performance.
"It's very liberating to work from a blank canvas in the studio, to blur the lines between recording process, songwriting and performance. To not interfere, to keep the inspiration throttle wide open. Lyrically, it reflects the uncertainty of, a base level anxiety present in, this human experience. However, between 2020 - ‘21; a pandemic, a vitriolic U.S. political climate, etc., was fueling the internal dialogue from which lyrics arose. I also sought out some bit of optimism in the midst of a madness." -WR
Released September 29, 2023 Produced by Woody Russell Recorded 2020 - '21 at Green Shoe Studio, Austin, Texas Mastered by John Webber at Air Studios, London
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0:00/5:03
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Lifeboat 5:390:00/5:39
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0:00/5:00
SHOWS
Previous events
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Son Solitaire at The Bugle Boy The Bugle Boy, La Grange, TX | The Bugle Boy, La Grange, TX |
REVIEWS
“He aspires to more than mere entertainment; Russell plots and pivots in such a way that he’s aiming for musical art every time… challenging arrangements and an intelligent lyrical message distinguishes Russell’s work from a bevy of lesser talents on the scene.”
— The Hollywood Digest
“…one of the indie music world’s most formidably gifted artists that newcomers and long-time fans alike will enjoy and embrace.”
— Top Buzz Magazine
“…dazzling lyric talents without ever slipping into pretentious twaddle along the way. There’s no question that Russell’s songwriting on this release owes some debts to pop song architecture, but he confounds our expectations with a free-ranging creativity that utilizes those conventions in fresh, inventive ways. It’s a challenging work that doesn’t overwhelm you but never allows you to coast through. Pay attention to it, however, and your time is amply rewarded.”
— Indie Pulse
“…a musical artist arguably working at the peak of his powers, but it’s far from the final word. ”
— BallyHoo Magazine