Acres and Acres: Heartland Rock's Modern Revivalists
Acres and Acres is an American heartland rock band known for its anthemic songwriting and blue-collar lyrical themes. Hailing from the Midwest, the group achieved commercial recognition with their 2018 album Harvest of Shadows, which charted on the Billboard 200 and spawned several rock radio hits.
Early career
The band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2012, founded by vocalist/guitarist Ben Walker and drummer Marcus Cole. Their early sound was a raw blend of folk and garage rock, honed through relentless touring across the Rust Belt. Their self-released 2014 EP, Rust Belt Gospel, caught the attention of independent label Granite Records, which signed them the following year.
Breakthrough
The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with their sophomore album, Harvest of Shadows, released via Granite Records. The lead single, Steel Town Sunday, became a staple on rock radio formats, propelling the album to number 87 on the Billboard 200 chart. This success was solidified by a gold certification for the single Dust and Desire in their home country.
Key tracks
Steel Town Sunday — This breakthrough single defined their heartland rock sound and became their first top 20 hit on the US Mainstream Rock chart.
Dust and Desire — The band's first gold-certified record, this track showcased their ability to craft emotionally resonant, mid-tempo anthems.
Harvest of Shadows — The title track from their breakthrough album is a fan-favorite epic that closes their live sets.
Riverbed — A notable collaboration with singer-songwriter Lila Grace, this track expanded their audience to the Americana genre.
Promised Land — Featured as the theme song for the television series Heartland Highway, this song introduced their music to a wider national audience.
Following their breakthrough, Acres and Acres maintained a steady output, releasing Foundations in 2021. They have collaborated with established artists like producer David Cobb, known for his work with Chris Stapleton, which added a richer, more textured sound to their later recordings. The band continues to be a major draw on the summer festival circuit, particularly at heartland rock and alternative rock events.
Fans of the heartland rock genre will also appreciate the work of similar artists. The Gaslight Anthem shares a similar foundation in punk-infused American rock storytelling. The Menzingers offer a more punk-oriented take on lyrical themes of place and memory. Jason Isbell delivers the same caliber of detailed, working-class songwriting within an Americana framework. The Hold Steady explores similar anthemic, narrative-driven rock music.
The music of Acres and Acres is a regular feature on many classic rock FM stations and alternative rock radio stations that program modern guitar-driven acts. Their anthems are also frequently played on online rock radio streams dedicated to new rock music, ensuring their heartland sound reaches a global audience of rock enthusiasts.
Listeners can discover the authentic heartland rock of Acres and Acres by tuning into the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Their catalog, from early indie releases to charting singles, is regularly broadcast across a variety of independent music radio stations available on our platform.
