Midland

Weddings generally bring couples together, but in the case of country band Midland, one fateful marriage ceremony united an entire trio. The group—which consists of Mark Wystrach (lead vocals, guitar), Jess Carson (guitar, vocals) and Cameron Duddy (bass guitar, vocals)—first began jamming in Jackson Hole, Wyoming just before Duddy’s wedding. Wystrach and Carson, both groomsmen, swapped songs in the days leading up to the ceremony, and after the festivities, the trio decided to continue working together. “We went out to Sonic Ranch and we each had our collection of songs,” Wystrach told Apple Music. “In less than two weeks, the band was expedited through 14-hour days in the studio. We walked away saying, ‘We have to do something with this.’ We moved to Austin, and we went all in.” The big bet was a good decision. “Drinkin’ Problem” from their 2016 self-titled EP remains one of their biggest hits. Midland’s blend of straight-ahead country with pop affectations—neo-traditionalist elements that recall George Strait and catchy melodies that are reminiscent of Jason Aldean—have made them a crossover success. Midland have found a way to marry playfulness, sex appeal and songwriting chops into a one-of-a-kind concoction that’s as unique as their origin story. Midland: The Sonic Ranch, a film (and corresponding soundtrack) that documented their earliest days recording together, arrived in 2021.