Garrett Hendricks releases his stunning new single “Son of the River” out now from his debut album ‘Northwest & Southbound’, out now. The track carries the sound of Washington forests, rushing rivers and mountain mist, shaped by Hendricks’ voice and his connection to the land that raised him. The timing aligns with salmon season in his home state, giving the music an even deeper sense of place and spirit.
He brings listeners straight into the Northwest with lyrics built on memory and lived experience. He says, “Growing up in the Northwest, there were a lot of fishing trips with nights around the campfire, with guitars and stories passed around.” He adds, “This song is my love letter to home and my wish that when I die, I’m laid to rest in the land I hold dear. I wanted to evoke the serenity of the Northwest, without congesting the story.” His delivery glows with sincerity and a deep love for his roots.
‘Northwest & Southbound’ expands that storytelling across ten songs shaped by Hendricks’ journey from the Pacific Northwest to Tennessee. Produced by Caleb Fisher, the record features musicians connected to Nikki Lane, Whitey Morgan, King Margo and River Shook. Hendricks blends folk, country, alt rock and roots influences as he follows rivers, highways and small towns in search of belonging. The album captures wide open landscapes, quiet reflection and the people who shaped him along the way.
His song “Anthony” stands out as a powerful moment of empathy. Hendricks shares the story of a childhood friend lost to overdose and writes with attention to the families and communities who face that pain. He says listeners often share their own stories with him, creating a space where the song becomes a bridge between people who have walked similar paths.
The record moves between heavy truths and moments of levity. Tracks like “Goat Leather Boots”, “Bronco” and “Whiskey Night” celebrate motion, freedom and the wild mix of Northwest scenery and Southern grit. The album closes with “Lonesome 27”, a haunting tribute to Hendricks’ grandmother that returns to quiet guitar and pedal steel. He shares that Johnny Cash and John Prine shaped him deeply and inspired the simplicity and storytelling at the heart of the song.