John Moreland

John Moreland was born in Longview, Texas, in 1985. His early life involved frequent moves due to his father’s work as an electrical engineer for Sunoco, including time in Northern Kentucky before settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at age ten. It was in Tulsa that he began playing guitar with his father and started writing songs around age 12 or 13, inspired by a church friend. In his high school years, Moreland explored punk and hardcore music, performing in local metalcore bands like Thirty Called Arson in the early 2000s. His musical direction shifted towards folk after encountering Steve Earle’s work, particularly the song “Rich Man’s War,” with other influences including Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. This varied musical background laid the groundwork for his distinctive sound.

Moreland established the Black Gold Band in 2005, releasing “Endless Oklahoma Sky” with them in 2008 through Little Mafia Records. The band followed up with “Things I Can’t Control” in 2009. Demonstrating a prolific output, Moreland released two full-length albums and two EPs in 2011 alone, including “Earthbound Blues” and “Everything the Hard Way” with his band the Dust Bowl Souls. His solo career gained significant traction with albums like “In the Throes” (2013) on Last Chance Records, and “High on Tulsa Heat” (2015) which he produced himself, recording in his parents’ home. This album included the video for “Cherokee”, which was conceived and shot by Joey Kneiser. He continued this trajectory with “Big Bad Luv” (2017) on 4AD, his first record to feature a full band, and later “LP5” (2020) and “Birds in the Ceiling” (2022).

Moreland’s work has been recognized and featured across various platforms. Notably, three of his songs, “Heaven,” “Gospel,” and “Your Spell,” appeared on the television series “Sons of Anarchy.” He has also participated in the Folk Alliance International Conference and toured nationally, opening for prominent artists such as Jason Isbell, Dawes, and Patty Griffin in the summer of 2015. Despite a public feud with Zach Bryan in 2025 concerning a collaboration and Bryan’s significant music deal, Moreland has maintained his independent approach to music. After experiencing a neurological condition, Bell’s Palsy, in 2024 due to stress and relentless touring, he took a hiatus. He returned in 2024 with his seventh full-length collection, “Visitor,” released without advance promotion via Thirty Tigers, marking a period of personal growth and a return to his roots.