Lee Bains

Lee Bains is a songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama, who, since 2012, has released four studio albums of what Rolling Stone once called “Southern gospel punk." His music has received acclaim from the likes of The New York Times, NPR, Mojo, Uncut, Sonic Magazine, and the Guardian. His most recent album, Old-Time Folks, was released by Don Giovanni Records in 2022, and explored stories of People’s movements in the Deep South. He will release a live solo album, Free South 2025, on Don Giovanni in August 2026. He has collaborated in live performance and on recordings with artists including Lonnie Holley, Moor Mother, and Algiers, and has toured with artists like The Alabama Shakes, Nana Grizol, Bad Moves, John Moreland, and Meltdown Rodeo. After first having his poems published by The New Yorker in 2021, Lee will see his debut poetry collection, Work Lunch, published by Hub City Press in October 2026. In addition to touring around the U.S. and Europe, Lee has lent his music to support striking coal miners, immigrants’ rights groups, abortion funds, and anti-racism organizations.