LOS ANGELES, CA- My loathing of TikTok is palpable. Its algorithm is anxiety‑inducing, intrusive, and sometimes oddly invasive. Yet the siren song of discovery keeps drawing me back. The endless scrolls and short bursts of sound can feel manipulative, but they offer a uniquely potent portal to new music I never would’ve uncovered otherwise.
A few months back, my algorithm spat out Penelope Road. Their take on classic songs was fresh, nostalgic, and entirely their own. I became obsessed. They revived hits from the past with a modern twist… but they weren’t just nostalgic covers. They were reinterpretations that felt alive today.
Some artists can make a career out of covers. Think of the likes of Pentatonix, Postmodern Jukebox, or even Boyce Avenue. Each of those artists have carved careers out of cover songs, melting genres and eras into something viral. Their reinterpretations captured ears, hearts, and attention, earning them fans before they released original material.
But that path has pitfalls. It’s easy for musicians to become pigeonholed as the “cover band” and struggle to emerge with a distinct identity. Penelope Road, with their bold blend of funk, soul, and vintage pop influence, has the makings to transcend that. I really hope they do.
Certainly So, the four-piece band from Alabama and based in Nashville, formed in late‑2019 around members Tanner Gray, Colby Wilson, bassist Chase Porter, and drummer Zach Corder. Their music blends folk, Americana, alternative and psychedelia into a dreamy, sun-soaked palette described as “post‑angst” indie folk. They draw inspiration from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, John Mayer, Her’s, and the Grateful Dead, producing harmony-rich, soul‑tinged songs that feel both gentle and immersive. Certainly So have honed a sound that’s intimate yet expansive. Their music evokes warmth, rural drive, and a nostalgic haze that’s pretty hard to resist.
At the Troubadour on July 16, their set had a loose, free‑wheeling spirit. Their live sound felt spacious. It felt like they were jamming in your living room one moment, then channeling subtle jazz‑rock sophistication the next. Moments flourished with laid‑back Americana phrasing and soothing vocal layering; at other times, there was a Steely Dan–esque wink in their phrasing. Cool grooves, and understated soul.
Honestly, I was captivated by how unforced it felt. Their interplay was effortless, their transitions unhurried. It was the kind of music that invites you in, calms you, yet surprises you with a well‑placed flourish. It struck me as real—and rare. And I was so moved that I walked out afterward and bought their latest album. Their sound lingers, and you catch yourself humming after the fact. Their set felt like a nostalgic summer breeze, and I couldn’t help but want more.
Penelope Road, hailing from Atlanta and now a five‑piece signed to Warner Records, describe their sound as “stanky funky junk”: a heady mix of ’70s rock, funk, soul, and vintage pop swagger. They’ve been praised for lush harmonies, dual lead vocalists, tight arrangements, and smooth grooves that nod to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Hall & Oates, yet carry a contemporary edge reminiscent of Mk.gee and Goose.
Members Max Moore (co-lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Charles Eastman (co-lead vocals, keyboard), Koan Roy‑Mieghoo (electric guitar), James Kopp (bass), and Anthony Smith (drums) have origins in the Atlanta music scene and formed around their college years and shared living on Penelope Road in the West End of Atlanta—hence the band’s name.
I’d long felt they’d be signed at some point… and sure enough, Warner Records came calling. That level of polish and forward momentum came through onstage. From TikTok fame to real‑world stage, the energy translated seamlessly. The songs they covered such as “Rich Girl,” “Human Nature,” “Smile Again” felt reverent but refashioned in their groove-centric style. When they played originals like “Out Tonight,” “Flowers,” “Chance,” it felt like a promise: soulful songwriting grounded in their influences but undeniably their own.
Vocals passed around the group; each singer brought a different shade. Moore’s warm acoustic tone, Eastman’s keyboard-led soul, and the others chiming in on harmonies and occasional lead lines. Their chemistry was tangible. The interplay, banter, and looseness felt like brothers at play. When Moore looked up and thanked his family sitting in the rafters—likely flown in for the show—it created a sweet human moment where the band’s origins and emotional stakes felt deeply present.
The sequence soared through the set list: opening with “My Way,” “Tired of Love,” through to “Out Tonight” closing the night. Each track was delivered with joy and confidence. The covers were reimagined, not replicated. The crowd was eating out of their hands, dancing, singing along, and the vibe in the packed venue was electric.
Penelope Road have potential written all over them. Their label signing was well deserved and… as their performance at the Troubadour demonstrate… they’ve got the chops, the songs, and the charisma. But the real test lies ahead: can they step beyond the “cover band” shadow and write originals that echo the pop relevance of Hall & Oates or Michael Jackson? Songs with cultural impact, songwriting depth, chart presence. If they can channel that classic spirit with their unique flair, they could craft their own “Rich Girl” or “Human Nature.”
They’re rooted in TikTok virality now, but if they can anchor that with lasting songwriting, they just might become a mainstay beyond algorithmic discovery. I’m rooting for them.
Follow Penelope Road on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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LIVE CLIPS
Penelope Road Deliver Funky Nostalgia and Soulful Covers at the Troubadour
