Alternative-blues rock duo, The Blue Stones, returned today with a soulful new sound via “Shakin’ Off The Rust” – the band’s first single since their 2018 Entertainment One debut, Black Holes. Meticulously layered with cannon-esque percussion and electrifying guitars, “Shakin’ Off The Rust” culminates in an inspiring chorus focused on fresh starts. Working with producer Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), guitarist/vocalist Tarek Jafar and drummer/vocalist Justin Tessier managed to sonically create an emotional intensity that sets the table perfectly for Jafar’s powerful vocal delivery.
“Shakin’ Off The Rust” serves as the mission statement for the next chapter of The Blue Stones creative journey – putting their well-earned confidence on full display as they prepare for a big 2020. Fresh off a North American tour with Reignwolf, the band will head to Europe next week for a string of headlining dates (some of which are sold out in advance) that will run through November. You can check out the lyric video for “Shakin’ Off The Rust” now and find the track on streaming services as well.
On the single, vocalist/guitarist Tarek Jafar stated:
“There are times where I’ve felt I wasn’t good enough, or I didn’t deserve any happiness or success. This song is about battling the thoughts in your head that make you doubt yourself, and coming through with the confidence to make something great.”
When Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier formed The Blue Stones, they were facing uncertainty about who they were individually. What they did know for sure, though, was that they wanted to make music together – and, so they did. Following the success of their debut album, Black Holes, the band quickly found a following in the alternative rock world that lead to them sharing the stage with the likes of grandson, Welshly Arms, and Reignwolf. As they began working on new music, The Blue Stones caught the attention of producer, Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), with whom they would eventually enter the studio with this past summer. Working with Meany lead to The Blue Stones exploring – and creating – music in a different way than they had before, and led to a new approach by Jafar when it came to tackling lyrics. The result was the band truly discovering who they were during the writing process. They’ve crafted something that shimmers with such purity and truth – musically and lyrically – that one can’t help but be swept up and carried off by the songs that will eventually form their as-yet-untitled sophomore album slated for release on Entertainment One next year. The duo may be redefining who they are, but their decision to pursue the rock’n’roll dream holds as strong as ever as they enter the next stage of their journey.