The Texas duo — whose sophomore album ‘Heat of July’ is out now! — joins us at AMERICANAFEST to play a few songs and talks friendship, love and writing a record on the road

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When the road calls, Briscoe answers — and while they’re on it, they write an album.

Years after meeting in summer camp back in middle school, Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton reunited for the long haul while attending college in Austin, where they pursued degrees and music in parallel, going to class during the day and playing backyards by night. Then, signing a record deal before graduating, releasing their debut West Of It All in 2023.

Following the release, the band toured for the next couple years, performing the record around the country while, simultaneously, writing their next one.

“We kinda started having to learn how to write on the road. And in one sense, it’s super easy when you get to see just very corner of this country,” says Truett. “There’s a lot to take in and a lot of experiences to fuel your songwriting. But on the other hand, you’re just kinda sitting there in a van without an instrument in your hand, so we had to learn how to —almost like writing poetry—just kinda sit with the words, and it was a cool experiment if you will, and I think really helped develop us as songwriters in between the debut and [this record].”

Heat of July dropped September 19th. A week ahead of the release, the road led the Briscoe boys to AMERICANAFEST, where they swung by Dee’s Country Cocktail Club for the Bands do BK x I Know We Should sessions.

Along with releasing their sophomore album, both Philip and Truett recently got married, and while written and inspired by their travels, Heat of July also leans into their Texan roots, reflecting on their relationships and carrying themes of family.

“It was equal parts being inspired by the scenery we were seeing, by the folks that we were meeting, but also missing home a little bit too,” Philip says of the record.

Heat of July is out everywhere now! Before you catch the band on tour (they hit NYC to play Hill Country Live on February 27th), get a taste of Briscoe live via video above.

In this session, the band performs three songs: “Heat of July” and “Saving Grace” from their new album, plus “The Well” from their debut. In between the tracks, the artists talk about life on the road, falling in love and the camp-to-college friendship turned musical career.

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Want more AMERICANAFEST? Check out our session with Leslie Jordan , Henhouse Prowlers, The Wood Brothers and Jack Van Cleaf!

Follow Briscoe at @briscoetheband and add the music to your Spotify playlists!

Follow I Know We Should at @iknowweshould and subcribe on YouTube.

Credits: Sam Sumpter – Host // Brad Wagner – Video // Juan M Soria – Audio // Jamie Robertson – Lighting // Anna Lindqvist – Production Assistant // Arieh Samson – Production Assistant