Mobile may get a smaller amount of music acts coming through town compared to cities such as New Orleans and Pensacola, but the live music scene here is still impressive. Earlier this month, Underground Springhouse, a band from Athens, Georgia, performed in front of a buzzing crowd at the Brickyard in Downtown Mobile. Members include Charlie Haas, Jackson Thompson, Max Motley, Mitch Davidson and Jonny Thompson. The band’s website describes their music as “Hype-Chill-Rock-Funk,” a unique genre that draws many listeners to experience one of their shows, including “The Vanguard.”

Underground Springhouse has come through Mobile a good bit, playing here upwards of five times and loving it each time they’ve come through. One of the things the band members told us they appreciate is the culture of Mobile; they like the special southern history of our city. Another element the group enjoys is eating together in Mobile. Everytime they come through, they hit up a place downtown called Debris. All of this was amplified this year because it was the band’s first show in Mobile during Mardi Gras.

“It was the best time to do shows in the city,” the band members said.

However, the most significant thing they kept mentioning was how “nice and chill” the people in Mobile are. The members spoke fondly about meeting new people and seeing how relaxed everyone is. Bassist Jackson Thomas even talked about how doing shows in Mobile changed his previously negative attitude toward the city. He said, “Meeting and talking to people really changed my opinion of Mobile.”

When asked about touring itself and what that was like, all the band members agreed that it was amazing and “…like living the dream.”

The band not only mentioned the fans and other people who live in the city but also the bands they got to meet and play alongside. During the show we attended, after Underground Springhouse had played, the Talismen were doing their set, and a few members of Underground came up and played with them. Two bands playing together simultaneously at a smaller show was awesome to see. It was a part of the magic of touring. 

Of course, touring has its downsides. Each band member mentioned the amount of stress and exhaustion that can come from touring, especially when the tour involves driving through the rural south. However, they all said that the pros “far outweigh” the cons. 

The appeal of Mobile as a touring destination can be attributed to its easy-going community, the intimacy of playing to a room rather than a stadium, and a comparatively mellow nightlife experience. This tour was not the first nor the last time Underground Springhouse will be in Mobile. Be sure to visit their website, undergroundspringhouse.com, to access links to their music and keep up with future tour dates.

Photo Gallery by Jason Harbison