Readers who caught one of Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast’s shows at the tail-end of 2025 and in early 2026 will understand the reasons for nominating this Asheville, North Carolina band as one deserving of wider recognition. Rolling Stone described Krisko’s voice as “one of the best kept vocal secrets of the south east”, ranging, as it does, from soulful ballads to no-holds-barred rock and blues. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and behind her is a fine group of musicians who consistently include husband Aaron Austin on guitar, William Seymour on bass and Michael W. Davis on drums.
The Broadcast was formed around fifteen years ago, after Krisko had relocated from Detroit to Asheville via a stint in New York, where she began her music career. The band have seen a few changes of personnel and a rebrand several years ago when, in recognition of her creative contribution, it was decided to place the singer’s name to the fore. Through these years, the band established themselves as consummate live performers, and they have opened shows for Mavis Staples, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Blackberry Smoke, and Marcus King, as well as supporting Elles Bailey on her recent tour of the UK.
The title track of their 2025 EP, Everything I Need, arose from a recent tour of the UK, when in Krisko’s words, “the audience became the heartbeat of the room. Those shows reminded me that no matter how far from home I am, music always finds a way to make us family”. Three more songs give a flavour of what to expect from their forthcoming album, Heirloom. There’s the gorgeous gospel-flavoured Hello My Dear, pedal-steel and organ filling out a beautiful waltz-time love song. Southern rock comes in the form of Let It Ride, slide guitar and bass to the fore. Heart of Gold is not a Neil Young cover but another slice of americana, laced with blues-rock that will please fans of Samantha Fish.
The Blueprints EP in 2024 was a similarly high-quality selection of six songs released between 2022 and 2024. In these varied tracks, Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast demonstrate their ability to absorb influences from blues to pop and funk. It’s a collection that has the depth and range of John Mayer’s Continuum, and Aaron Austin produces some great guitar tones on the beautiful ballads Haunted By You and Have To Say Goodbye.
With an avowed love of touring the UK, the band will be back later in 2026. Don’t miss it.
