Shinyribs reassembles the American song bag like a picker in a junkyard — Texas singer-songwriter, East Texas blues, Louisiana swamp rhythm, honky tonk, Oklahoma swing, Golden Triangle Cajun, and Arkansas jazz all filtered through the singular vision of Kevin Russell, one of Austin’s most celebrated and criminally underrated songwriters.

The Austin-based supergroup has entered a bold new chapter with the small-ball “Shortribs” configuration — a tightly arranged powerhouse built to showcase the heart of the Shinyribs experience: Russell’s legendary songwriting, iconic voice, and the infamous hi-jinks of the self-proclaimed world’s oldest living male exotic dancer. Hip shaking, booty twerking, arm flapping, high kicking, and karate chopping good times are guaranteed to send audiences home with aching cheeks and tear-stained laughter.

At the rhythmic core is drummer Keith Langford, Russell’s musical partner of 30 years dating back to The Gourds. Bassist Mason Hankamer anchors the low end while also serving as co-producer and musical director, helping shape the band into its leanest and most purposeful form yet.

The Delta Dawns — Kellee Broadway and Schaefer Llana — bring dynamic harmonies, percussion, guitar, and undeniable energy, while pianist Eric Baker channels a long-lost Leon Russell spirit. Rounding out the lineup is lead guitarist and pedal steel wizard Cat Clemons, whom Russell describes as possessing “the ability to communicate psychically with audiences.”

A Shinyribs show runs the gamut from tongue-in-cheek humor to poignant reflections on family, grief, love, and loss — where poetic joy meets musical melancholy with unmatched groove and soul.

Shinyribs has earned numerous awards and honors throughout its career, but the real prize is the experience itself. As Russell says: if you haven’t heard of Shinyribs yet, now you’ve got something to look forward to.

Discography:
Well After Awhile (2010) · Gulf Coast Museum (2013) · Okra Candy (2015) · I Got Your Medicine (2017) · The Kringle Tingle (2018) · Fog & Bling (2019) · Late Night TV Gold (2021) · Transit Damage (2023) · Leaving Time (2025)

Upcoming: Real Alligator, Shinyribs’ 10th album, arrives Autumn 2026.