MYND READER Drops a Debut Loaded with Rock and Roll Soul, Heart and Hooks
NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / February 9, 2026 /MYND READER 's self-titled debut, out January 30, 2026, sounds like it was made by musicians who have weathered a few storms. Built on soaring guitars, swelling textures, and the sturdy pulse of drummer and lyricist Brian Sachs, the album moves with the confidence of a band stepping into its identity rather than chasing one. The Boulder, Colorado group has been steadily gaining attention over the past year through a run of singles that have pushed their streaming numbers into the hundreds of thousands, and their full-length effort makes a strong case for even wider reach.
The band formed around three musicians whose chemistry is immediately evident. Sachs, whose career stretches back to New York City 's early 1990s funk-rock circuit, played hundreds of shows with his former group The Authority, sharing stages with Phish, Blues Traveler, and Dave Matthews Band. After leaving the East Coast for Colorado, he reconnected with guitarist and producer Tonin in 2022. What started as a casual creative exchange quickly grew into a focused collaboration, one that deepened further when vocalist and guitarist Shelby Kemp entered the mix. Kemp 's voice, worn-in and soulful, became the final piece of the group 's sound.
That sound blends blues, Americana, and modern rock, drawing on familiar influences without leaning too heavily on any one of them. Listeners may hear shades of The Black Crowes, echoes of My Morning Jacket 's wide-open arrangements, or flashes of Chris Stapleton 's vocal strength, yet the material avoids imitation. Instead, the trio channels those inspirations into something contemporary and emotionally grounded. The songs were mixed by seven-time Grammy Award-winning engineer Michael Brauer , whose work with the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Aretha Franklin, and Ray LaMontagne adds continuity between decades of rock lineage and MYND READER 's present-day perspective. His touch gives the album a warm, analog depth that suits the band 's organic approach.
The singles helped shape expectations for the full record. " Mourning Light , " already a Top 100 on the Mediabase chart, moves between quiet reflection and cathartic release. " Radio Warning , " written partly from Sachs ' experiences trekking through remote parts of Alaska, pairs isolation and resilience in equal measure. "Simply Avanti " delivers a tighter, more urgent punch. " Oslo " and " Leaving Our Lives " reveal a softer edge, leaning into the band 's melodic instincts. " Birdsong " expands the group 's cinematic reach; the accompanying video , filmed in the surreal dunes of Mexico by director VINSINT, reinforces the track 's sense of scale and atmosphere.
The standout is "Home, " a soaring, anthemic centerpiece that has already received spins across more than 20 iHeart stations after landing on Ted Stryker 's nationally syndicated Out Of Order program on ALT 98.7 Los Angeles. It is the song that most clearly articulates what MYND READER is trying to express. Kemp describes it as an ode to belonging, whether tied to a person, a place, or the music that carries someone through change. The arrangement builds gradually, leaning into Kemp 's vocal grit, Tonin 's expansive guitar shapes, and Brauer 's instinct for heightening emotional tension without overwhelming it.
Sachs says the album emerged from a period when everything in his life felt like it was shifting. The dissolution of his marriage, the loss of his mother, his son leaving home, and a period of personal upheaval all shaped the writing. In that way, the album marks a turning point between his early years with The Authority and the artist he has become. The earlier era was defined by youthful momentum and non-stop touring. MYND READER, he says, reflects a different mindset, one focused less on chasing success and more on finding clarity.
Taken as a whole, ten-trackdebut feels both grounded and ambitious. MYND READER steps into its own with intention, and this Merchant Records release carries a thorough-line of candor, craftsmanship, and purpose. It is a confident first chapter, one that sets the stage for a band ready to
Connect with MYND READER:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
Photographer for Cover Art: David Fulton - XPRMNT Consulting
Photographer for band photos: Dog Daze Photo
Photographer for photo of Brian Sachs/Drummer/Lyricist/CoFounder: David Fulton - XPRMNT Consulting
Contact:
tyler@artistformula.com
Artist Formula Record Group
artistformula.com
Tyler Boone
SOURCE:Artist Formula
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
© 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.
