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“Country music was the voice of the people. It wasn’t always the prettiest voice, but it was an honest voice,” says American Aquarium founder and frontman BJ Barham. “I think that’s where country music has lost its way.” He pauses, then adds, North Carolina accent thick and voice steady: “I operate in the dark shadows of what we don’t want to talk about in the South.” These days, those shadows are tall and wide, making it hard to recognize a neighbor, family–– even yourself. On American Aquarium’s new album Lamentations, Barham shines light on dark American corners with heartbreaking conversations, long looks in the mirror, and empathetic questions, all through songwriting that is clear without sacrificing its poetry, and direct without losing its humanity. “As a songwriter, my number one job is to observe and then translate what I observe into a song, a story, a lesson,” Barham says. “I’d be doing myself and the listener a huge disservice if I didn’t talk about the things I see, which is a country, divided.” As much as Barham appreciates an indignant protest song or one-sided anthem, he isn’t writing them. Instead, on Lamentations he’s making the political personal, reaching out to humanize folks with opposing viewpoints, and offering dignity instead of demonizing. The result is the strongest writing of Barham’s already stout career. “I’m still very much standing up for what I believe in––I don’t think anyone can question what side of the aisle I stand on,” he says. “But hopefully people listen and at least try to understand why their Sunday School teacher wears a Trump hat.” Barham has built a fiercely devoted fanbase hundreds of thousands strong, fortified with 15 years of sold-out American Aquarium shows across the country and Europe. The band’s 2018 release Things Change strode confidently into that distinct territory where rock-and-roll and politics meet, prompting Rolling Stone to announce Barham “earns every bit of his Southern Springsteen cred.” In 2019, the American Aquarium lineup also shifted again: Shane Boeker remains on guitar, and bassist Alden Hedges, keys player Rhett Huffman, pedal steel ace Neil Jones, and drummer Ryan Van Fleet joined the group. A beloved live band known for consistently playing at least 200-250 dates a year, American Aquarium chose to be more selective in 2019, winnowing the schedule to 92 shows. For Barham, sober for six years now, is a dad to a toddler and still happily married, the adjustment was a must. “We’re learning how to balance being in our mid-30s and being rock-and-rollers,” he says. “Being home was the most rewarding experience. It allowed me to be creative and write about things that really matter.” Lamentations reflects that elevated focus. Barham, who is no longer religious but was raised Southern Baptist, wrote down the word “lamentations” in 2018, and knew it’d be his next album title before he’d written a single song for the record. He felt an anchoring connection to the word itself––defined as “the passionate expression of grief or sorrow”––but also to the Old Testament book in the Bible. “Lamentations is one of the few books in the Bible where there’s this doubt of God––this guy, crying out to the heavens, like, Why? If you love us so much, why did you let Jerusalem fall to Babylon?” Barham says. “I saw a direct correlation between that and a Southern man today who voted for Trump. I wanted to write about a broken America and all the things that lead a human being to doubting something. Every song on this record touches on something a little different.” Album opener “Me and Mine (Lamentations)” is brooding and stormy, plaintive acoustic guitar undergirding Barham’s weathered vocals. Searching, frustrated, and sad, the song was written from the perspective of a conservative Southern voter who feels unseen, unheard, and short on hope. The broader message is immersive and immediate: Settle in and listen closely. Times are hard, and this record is going to talk about it. Barham, who doesn’t agree with the song’s protagonist politically, imbues him with respect and sympathetic fatigue. “There are so many people who come out nowadays and say, If you voted this way, you’re a racist. You’re a misogynist. You’re a nationalist,” he says. “But that was my teacher, my librarian, my uncle. I know they aren’t bigots. So instead of saying, You’re a bad person because you did this, I want to know why you did this. I want to talk to you about this.” Upbeat guitar rocker “Dogwood” follows, with a tragic story wrapped up in singalong lines. Barham points to the song and “Luckier You Get,” with its Springsteen vibes and an ear-worm chorus, as two of the album’s more lighthearted moments. “Bright Leaf” is another musical moment ready for a crowd, offering a clear-eyed look at the tobacco farms and industry of Barham’s home through sharp lyrics that thousands will shout-sing right back at him. Featuring wry pedal steel and a shuffling back beat, “Better South” is an alternative anthem, written and sung by a native Southerner who believes in change. Line after line, “Starts with You” shows off Barham’s self-deprecating wit: “They say you’re only as sick as your secrets / If that’s the truth then, friend, I’m dying / Spent a lifetime salvaging shipwrecks, / Falling so long I thought I was flying.” Throughout the record, the only victim of Barham’s harsh tongue is himself. Heartbreaking “How Wicked I Was” pleads for narrative omissions when it comes to explaining the past to his little girl. Album highlight “Learned to Lie” cuts just as deep: Barham delivers a gut-wrenching confession over lonely piano. Raw and intimate, its look at how we hurt the ones we love evokes the unblinking candor of 60s and 70s Loretta Lynn––that extreme honesty Barham first valued in country music, and now misses. “That was one of the first songs I played for the boys in the band, and they were like, ‘Are you sure you want to record that?’” Barham says. “It’s a hard song to talk about. It’s a heavy song. For better or worse, I’m going to be real with you live. I’m probably going to make you uncomfortable. And that I think that’s a beautiful part of rock-and-roll.” “Six Years Come September” is another heartbreaker, masquerading at first as a familiar story before a sobering plot twist. “As a songwriter, that’s the best feeling in the world––ruining someone with lyrics and a well-executed story,” Barham says. He points to album closer “Long Haul” as a frontrunner for his own favorite track. Perhaps the closest the record comes to jubilation, “Long Haul” rolls through three steadfast commitments Barham holds true and dear. Ultimately, Lamentations is a thrilling portrait of an artist and his band reaching new levels of skill, consciousness, and potential after 20 years in the trenches. Unruly and sincere, Barham emerges as an important American voice––and an unlikely peacemaker. “I’ve had to work really hard to carry water as a songwriter,” he says. “It feels really good to be in my mid-30s, writing songs that I think matter. I think when you listen to this record, something is going to change in you. You’re going to feel something. That’s the most important part of songwriting: making someone feel.
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Alt-country, Rock And Roll
Neil Jones-Pedal Steel Guitar, Alden Hedges-Bass, BJ Barham-Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Ryan Van Fleet-Drums, Shane Boeker-Lead Guitar, Rhett Huffman-keys
BJ and the boys were in prime form last night. Ripping through songs touching every era of their vast catalog! American Aquarium never disappoints! This was my 8th or 9th time seeing them, and 3rd time at Soundwell, and they just keep getting better! Cool spot with great sound. The boys will eventually outgrow this room, as the caps they’re playing elsewhere in the country are much larger but we’ll enjoy the intimacy while we can!
Soundwell Salt Lake City, UTGood show. Band had great energy but only about 50 ppl there. A few songs missing. I was talking to the hot ass bartender that wasn’t annoyed Lol American Aquarium 11/27/18 Hi-Tone Memphis tn World is on fire Tough folks Man I’m supposed to be American tobacco co Casualties St Mary’s Jacksonville Losing side of 25 Wolves Lonely ain’t easy Crooked with the straight John Prine song Tennessee take it easy on this heart of Encore kinda We were younger men
The Hi Tone Memphis, TNBJ and AA always put on a helluva show and this one followed suit. From the lyrics to the music it is a cathartic experience. BJ will take you through the highs and lows of life and is very real:a true showman and performer. Highly recommend seeing them anywhere and everywhere you can!
The Kessler Theater Dallas, TXEvery time I see AA, the band levels up and consistently blows my mind. BJ is a class act and works harder for his fans than anyone else in the biz. I’m proud to be a fan and for as long as they keep playing, I’ll keep showing up to support them.
Polaris Hall Portland, ORIt was cold but bands were great! Embarrassing low attendance. Probably better to schedule when not so cold. Maybe October? Sad that no one came as the bands were really good. We had VIP tickets which weren’t needed as not crowded at all. It was weird no one was there!
Panther Island Pavilion Fort Worth, TXYes, American Aquarium is currently on tour. If you're interested in attending an upcoming American Aquarium concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The American Aquarium tour is scheduled for 28 dates across 23 cities. Get information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2026-2027 with Hypebot.
American Aquarium is scheduled to play 28 shows between 2026-2027. Buy concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.
American Aquarium's tour starts Mar 21, 2026 and ends on Sep 10, 2026. They will play 23 cities; their most recent concert was held in Raleigh at The Rialto Theatre and their next upcoming concert will be in New Braunfels at Gruene Hall.
As part of the American Aquarium tour, American Aquarium is scheduled to play across the following venues and cities:
