Every now and then a musical endeavor starts as a lark, but clicks so well, it takes on a life of its own — one that deserves to be nurtured. That’s what North of Nashville bandmates Jay Basiner and Andrew Martelle discovered when they began duetting in-between gigs with their regular band, a Maine outfit called This Way.

Pursuing their passion for honky-tonk and the Highwaymen, they quickly found themselves outdrawing their regular gigs — and having far more fun. They finally gave in to the muse and made it official. And now, they’re releasing their self-titled debut, an album that revels in the gospel of Willie, Waylon, Kris and Cash, as well as their musical brothers and sisters from across the vast Americana landscape.

In the past two years since North of Nashville became their primary project, they've hit the road, touring in a black Suburban named Foxy and honing their sound while opening for acts including Dierks Bentley, Lake Street Dive, Phil Vassar and Aoife O’Donovan.