NOLA

Max Sanders and Basch Jernigan bring a New Orleans-rooted songwriter set to Specs, pairing Sanders’s twangy, psychedelic Americana with Jernigan’s soulful guitar-and-harmonica blend of blues, folk, rock, funk, and soul. Their duo format should emphasize expressive vocals, acoustic groove, strong storytelling, and the overlap between Gulf Coast blues and the loose, rhythmic spirit of New Orleans. Jernigan, originally from Gulf Shores, Alabama, is now based in New Orleans; his music has drawn notice for its soul-forward singing and forceful harmonica work. Sanders frames his own sound as “Western Heart” and “New Orleans Soul,” ranging from classic-country influence to free-jazz-adjacent experimentation.