The Waylanders

The Waylanders emerged in 2025 and, in less than a year, became one of the most talked-about new acts in Fortworth country-blues. The Fort Worth duo—known for their 70s Western mystique, explosive two-person energy, and a sound described as “Marty Robbins meets The White Stripes”—have already built a cult following that most bands spend years chasing.

Their debut album, Howling Highway, arrived in August 2025, a raw, self-made record steeped in M**der ballads, blues grit, and desert-cinematic storytelling. Tracked entirely without management, producers, or engineers, the album showcased the duo’s stubborn independence and total creative control. Everything—from the mix to the mythos and even their vinyl cover—was shaped by their own hands.

Despite having no team behind them, The Waylanders’ live show quickly earned a reputation for being one of the most electrifying in North Texas. Fans and venues alike took notice:

“The most stylish and mysterious band in North Dallas.”
“Your sound is inexplicable.”
“I don’t know how two people make that much noise.”
“You play like there are four of you.”

That word-of-mouth power opened doors at a pace rarely seen for a new band. Within their first year, The Waylanders landed slots that take most artists years to reach—opening for Silverada, Lowdown Drifters, Tennessee Jet, Taylor Hunnicutt, Two Tons of Steel, and performing at festivals alongside artists like John Moreland. Their roadwork stretched across the map: from California, where they toured to play the legendary Born-Free Festival, to Colorado’s Four Corners, Kansas City, and the Galveston music festival. And are headed to TTMR in 2026 at the home of country legend Loretta Lynn.

Onstage, The Waylanders hit with the force of a full band: thunderous drums, driving guitar, harmonica wails, stacked vocals, and even the occasional organ. This isn’t another blues-rock duo trying to emulate The Black Keys—their roots run deeper, pulling from M**der ballads, outlaw country, Western gothic imagery, and the dust of the American highway. And they’re also not a dance hall band, it’s something new and refreshing.

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