Sentimental Family Band

Camille Lewis, Kyle Albrecht and Matthew Shepherd make up the core of the band, which has been a fixture on the Austin scene since 2019. All three came up in indie and experimental bands before turning to country. They add players on pedal steel, piano and lead guitar. Their 2024 debut album, Sweethearts Only, mixes originals with the Bakersfield and Ray Price-style songs they play for dancers.

The band plays long sets of country classics with their own songs mixed in. They see themselves as a soundtrack for the dancers, so the music is built for two-stepping. The White Horse has a big indoor dance floor, a stage with red curtains, a patio and a full bar. Expect a mix of regulars who know the steps and newcomers learning them.

A weekly residency lets a band settle into a room, and this one has grown up around the White Horse floor. It is a good way to hear Austin honky-tonk played by people who care about the dancing. The White Horse itself is a longtime East Austin dance hall with a loyal crowd.