American Beech Releases New Album ‘Bridges’

American Beech delivers an authentic and laid back energy with their new 10 track album, Bridges. The record gives listeners a healthy mix of southern rock, indie rock sensibility, and modern alt-country, creating something perfect for a road trip or time sitting on your back porch.

The band was formed after songwriter Aaron Lucas spent years playing farmers markets and coffee shops as a solo act until he convinced longtime friends Mark Alexander and Ryan Dill to join him. The three were staples in their local music scene having played in various bands over the years, but with American Beech the seasoned group finally came together officially.

The biggest change for the band came in 2025 when Lucas moved behind the drum kit. Becoming a drumming frontman gave the group a new sound and visual aesthetic. His gritty, R&B style drumming helped push the band away from their earlier folk and Americana roots toward a more upbeat, funky alt-country feel.

The new album was recorded at Postal Recording Studios in Indianapolis with engineer Tyler Watkins from Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s. The songs feature honky tonk style guitar, strong melodies, and pedal steel from local musician Jonah Leatherman.

You can hear American Beech’s influences such as Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, Dawes, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Sturgill Simpson while listening to Bridges. “I Knew Your Name” and “Fade” showcase Lucas’ catchy vocal hooks and Mark Alexander’s guitar work, which takes some inspiration from Mark Knopfler.

The band says Bridges feels like an important step for them. In their words, “Bridges is fundamental to this band, you know, what we sound like and how we write songs. I think we will look back on this album and say ‘yeah, that’s when we really started figuring things out.’”

Listen to the new album Bridges by American Beech, out now.

Bridges by American Beech